Will Chris Sale be the White Sox closer this year?

Merkin’s mailbag:

Who will serve as the White Sox closer?

If this answer had to be given today, it probably would be Sale. There’s no question Matt Thornton not only capably can handle the closer’s job, but also would emerge as one of the AL’s elite last lines of pitching defense. But unless the White Sox add another left-hander, Thornton has made himself All-Star valuable as a pitcher who can work the seventh or eighth or both, on more than a few occasions. Giving the early nod to Sale doesn’t mean Thornton won’t have save opportunities and the same can be said for Crain and Santos from the right side. There will be a go-to guy coming out of Spring Training, but it could be a fluid position.