With Max Scherzer out of Detroit, the White Sox rotation clearly has closed the talent gap with Detroit.
The Tigers projected rotation is:
1. David Price, 6.1 WAR in the last year before free agency.
2. Justin Verlander, has lost velocity and ERA shot up last season.
3. Anibal Sanchez, injury prone, only 21 starts last season.
4. Alfredo Simon, who had one break out year for the Reds.
5. Shane Greene, acquired from the Yankees has only made 14 starts in career.
The White Sox counter with this rotation:
1. Chris Sale, a Cy Young candidate with overpowering stuff.
2. Jeff Samardzija, an innings eater who can be a steady influence.
3. Carlos Quintana, the most underrated starter in the AL last season.
4. John Danks, who is still slowly coming back from arm issues.
5. Hector Noesi (caretaker) until Carlos Rodon is called up from AAA with his electric stuff.
The staffs are very comparable. Price and Sale are legitimate aces. Samardizja is a more consistent pitcher than Verlander at this point. Quintana over Sanchez on health concerns. Simon may be slightly better than Danks, depending if his Reds year is no fluke. And Rodon is the real deal.
