Detroit Tigers: American League Central Offseason Review

Chicago White Sox

Notable Additions: Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Derek Holland, Cody Asche and Peter Bourjos

Notable Losses: Chris Sale, Adam Eaton, Alex Avila, Justin Morneau, Matt Albers and J.B. Shuck

The Chicago White Sox were one of Major League Baseball’s most prominent teams in the offseason, as the franchise dealt Chris Sale and Adam Eaton for significant returns.

Sale was flipped to Boston for top prospects Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, as well as Luis Alexander Basabe and Victor Diaz.

Elsewhere, they sent Adam Eaton to the Nationals for 2016 first round pick Dane Dunning and two of the game’s top pitching prospects in Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez.

The White Sox, who are in full on rebuilding move, could still conceivably move pieces as the year progresses.

It wouldn’t be a shock to see the likes of Jose Quintana, David Robertson, Todd Frazier and Jose Abreu dealt.

How Chicago’s Moves Affect the Detroit Tigers

Chicago, a team that finished 8.5 games behind the Tigers in the standings, seem set to duke it out with the Twins in the American League Central cellar.

The loss of Sale and Eaton will rightly take all the headlines, and Detroit should benefit greatly from both playing in different divisions.

Sale logged a 5.2 WAR last season and went 1-2 with a 3.13 ERA in five starts against Detroit.

Meanwhile, Eaton is a lifetime .325 hitter versus the Tigers in 223 plate appearances.

The outfielder has collected 34 runs scored, 23 RBI, 11 doubles, six triples, six stolen bases and three home runs versus Miguel Cabrera and company.

However, the losses of Avila and Morneau are also significant.

Despite playing in just 57 games, Avila had the seventh-highest WAR among position players last season for the White Sox. He also ranked fifth on the team in ISO.

Morneau appeared in just 58 games, but still managed to log a .799 OPS, six RBI, three doubles and a pair of home runs in 11 games versus the Tigers last season.