Levine: Adam Eaton, Brett Lawrie Aim To Bring More Life To White Sox
By Bruce Levine--
GLENDALE, Ariz. (CBS) -- After a disappointing 2015 campaign, leadership and energy are two areas the White Sox are hoping to improve upon in 2016. Bringing in third baseman Todd Frazier and second baseman Brett Lawrie in trades should help solve some offensive issues and bring a little swagger with them to the South Side.
In Lawrie and incumbent center fielder Adam Eaton, the White Sox have two type-A personalities who can make coffee look nervous. The reputation of both players is one of exuberance and fire both on and off the field.
"It's something I have always had," Lawrie said in his first media session at spring training. "I guess you can call it 'Canadian fire' hockey-player mentality. That is something I have always had growing up in British Columbia. Playing with Team Canada, sure it's something I have always had, no doubt."
Lawrie and Eaton had quality seasons in 2015. Lawrie finally was healthy enough for a full year, submitting career-highs in games played (149), home runs (16) and RBIs (60). After a sluggish first half, Eaton was the player everyone thought he would be in the second half, when he hit .335 and posted surprising power numbers. Eaton hit a career-high 14 homers in 2015 after hitting just six total in his first three seasons.
The two high-energy players should bring a kinetic reaction that could be the missing link for what was a lifeless group of White Sox in 2015.
"This is a great opportunity," Lawrie said. "You look at the number of guys and who is in this room -- we have so much talent here. It's World Series-caliber, 100 percent. So it's about refining it and coming together as a group, having fun out there."
Eaton believes identifying leaders is crucial to the team's future success.
"It's a huge deal," Eaton said. "You look at some of the most successful names in the last 10 or 15 years, and they had true leaders. They have had a good core of team leaders and a lot of guys that are willing to follow that lead. I don't think you look at any teams in the last 50 years where there wasn't leaders who stood out and take that role and run with it."
Can Eaton and Lawrie lead with their high energy level and all-out play on the field? That question will be answered as the season progresses. Success on the field is essential for anyone wanting to assume that leadership role. Eaton said that Adam LaRoche was the team leader in his mind in 2015, but it's a bigger challenge to set the example for others when you have a down year like LaRoche did.
The 27-year-old Eaton was asked what makes a leader.
"Heck if I know," he said. "I am pretty young, but to be honest with you LaRoche is a true leader for me. How he goes about his business on and off of the field really helps. The struggles he had last year and the way he handled it (so well), he doesn't throw stuff and break everything like I would. He is a guy who is calm, cool and collected. He understand that there is always tomorrow to produce. Guys have to fall in line behind those types of players."
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
