White Sox Inbox: Goals for Robert in 2021?

GLENDALE, Ariz. -- Here’s a look at this week’s White Sox inquiries as Spring Training approaches the final few weeks.

What are the White Sox expectations/goals for Luis Robert this season?
-- @johnfbrowning37

Win the American League Most Valuable Player Award and a second straight Gold Glove, while leading the team to a World Series title. Nothing too lofty, right?

Robert could be the first player to record 30 homers and 30 steals in a single season in White Sox history -- he’s just that talented. But the goal for him is to continue developing and build off last year. His rough September offensively actually will help him in the long run, with signs it already did judging from his performance in the AL Wild Card Series.

How do you think the top of the batting order shakes out? Anderson/Moncada? I have heard some saying Eaton No. 2, but don't see it.
-- @mdrc508

Tim Anderson will lead off, José Abreu will hit third and the rest seems to be a work in progress for manager Tony La Russa and his staff. I like Yoán Moncada in the second spot, but Robert is an interesting choice there as well.

Against the Dodgers on Monday, La Russa went with Anderson, Robert, Abreu, Moncada, Eloy Jiménez, Andrew Vaughn, Adam Eaton, Jonathan Lucroy and Nick Madrigal. That lineup had an Opening Day feel minus Yasmani Grandal, who returned Saturday at designated hitter after working through a right knee issue. But I would probably go Anderson, Moncada, Abreu, Grandal, Jiménez, Robert, Vaughn, Eaton and Madrigal.

Is Vaughn capable of playing a corner-outfield spot for say 20 games to provide additional flexibility to the lineup? Thought there was word of him doing work there in taxi camp last year, but haven’t heard anything recently. Keep up the great work!
-- Joe, Lake Forest, Ill., @ChicagoJoe20

Vaughn has worked in the outfield and at third base, mentioned on Friday by La Russa, but that work isn’t really about his future position. He’s a first baseman, and a talented defensive player from early looks, as well as a designated hitter.

I really believe Vaughn breaks camp with the team. He’s polished at the plate beyond years and experience. If the White Sox are standing behind their “best chance to win a World Series title” philosophy in 2021, he has to be there from the outset.

I know La Russa is high on all three possible backup catchers, but who do you think has the best chance to break camp?
-- Jordan, Pittsburg, Kan., @LilGille913

Lucroy is the No. 2 catcher in my opinion, and that was my belief when I was asked a similar question almost one month ago. I just don’t see the White Sox signing a veteran such as Lucroy, who is now fully healthy and has a solid track record, if they didn’t intend on keeping him. Zack Collins, Yermín Mercedes and Seby Zavala have had good camps -- with La Russa also mentioning Carlos Pérez’s impressive showing -- but unless the White Sox go with three catchers, which seems possible if Vaughn doesn’t break camp, Lucroy is the man.

Who are some surprise names to look out for to potentially break camp? Or is the main roster basically set in stone?
-- @ChiSoxFan6

The main roster decisions really are about Vaughn as the team’s designated hitter, the fifth starter’s spot and the last bench player. As I mentioned in my last Opening Day projection, Carlos Rodón is going to be the fifth starter, Vaughn breaks with the team and utility player Danny Mendick has the edge over a third catcher.

Can you get me a ticket for the Field of Dreams game?
-- Cedar Rapids, Iowa, @IowaSox

I cannot help you there. I also probably won’t be much help for the home opener on April 8.

Should we be concerned that the Sox haven’t won ONE game yet out of Spring Training?!
-- Courtney, Chicago, @Courtney883

The White Sox picked up one Cactus League victory since this question was submitted, but even with a 1-8-3 record entering Saturday, the results really don’t matter. I understand La Russa has mentioned a desire to win in Spring Training a few times and not just turn it on once the regular season begins.

But some of those games have lasted five, six or seven innings. There was one game where the inning was rolled over with the bases loaded and Abreu coming to the plate. I would look more at the last 7-10 days when the projected Opening Day starters are together as a group, but I don’t remember any Hall of Famers who spoke about their great spring showings in their speeches.

Get the right work in here, stay healthy and get ready for what should be a very promising season.

How intrigued are you with the sudden emergence/resurgence of Gavin Sheets?
-- Chicago, @GreenEyed_Soup

I’m not so sure it’s sudden, as Sheets had a strong second half to the 2019 season with Double-A Birmingham. He was not added to the alternate training site in Schaumburg, Ill., last season, but instead of being bothered, he used it as motivation. Sheets trained diligently and worked on adding the corner-outfield spots to his resume during the break and showed that work paid off with a diving catch to save two runs Friday. Sheets is a strong left-handed bat among a right-handed-heavy Major League lineup, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he helped this squad at some point this season.