If you were hoping the Chicago White Sox would follow suit of Texas, Seattle, or the New York Mets in making a big splash signing a marquee free agent, well, you may be waiting for a bit. Speaking with reporters during the announcement of Leury Garcia returning, general manager Rick Hahn is asking for patience as there’s still time to make additions before Opening Day.
In a typical offseason, Hahn would have all of December and January let trade talks and discussions with free agents blossom in potential deals. But this hasn’t been the typical offseason, and we are not seeing our regular, slow-paced player transaction activity. Since Friday, it’s been a whirlwind of the top free agents finding new homes daily. On MLB.com’s Top 25 free agents available list, six of the top ten have already announced new deals.
Do the White Sox have something up their sleeve before the CBA expires at 11:00 pm CT tonight?
If an opportunity doesn’t arise before the deadline, White Sox fans have the signings of Kendall Graveman and Garcia to hold them over until a new CBA. Not exactly a very fulfilling meal as many are hoping that Graveman and Garcia are appetizers of this White Sox offseason. Bigger things are in store for additions to this White Sox roster, right?
These quotes come off as, “If we make a move, we make a move. If we don’t make a move, we still like our chances of contending for the World Series.” A bit non-committal. Perhaps it’s an attempt to keep cards close to the chest. Not wanting to possibly unveil clues to other teams competing with the White Sox for free agents and trade targets.
However, we’ve been down this road often with the White Sox, and it’s hard to keep away the dreadful angst worrying if fans will be left out in the cold again. “The money will be spent,” still echos.
Technically, the White Sox are spending money. Garcia is now making $5.5 million per season until 2024, and that pay raise has the White Sox projected 26-man roster at $169 million, according to Spotrac. That’s currently the fifth-highest player payroll in MLB and the first time the White Sox have been that big of spenders compared to their league counterparts since 2008.
It’s just that the White Sox have a glaring need in right field, and if Garcia is not supposed to be the starting second baseman, they need one of those, too. Oh, and a 5 WAR starting pitcher may not return, and it would be nice if there were a better defensive catcher to be Yasmani Grandal’s backup.
Are the White Sox willing to join the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and New York Mets as the $200 million payroll ballclubs? If not, how are they going to address those areas of need?
One way is the trade market, and the White Sox got a bit of good news yesterday when closer Raisel Inglesias signed a four-year deal to stay with the Los Angeles Angels. That’s one fewer closer off the market. If Kenley Jansen decides to return to the Dodgers, teams searching for a premium closer will have to contact Hahn about trading for Craig Kimbrel.
Hahn admitted that the trade market has been slow developing.
When the White Sox picked up Kimbrel’s club option, a trade wasn’t all that imminent. As player transactions stop during the lockout, Kimbrel’s status remains the biggest question for the White Sox until a new CBA is signed. If Hahn doesn’t like any of the possible returns teams are pitching him for Kimbrel, would the White Sox keep him? Does having Kimbrel on the payroll prohibit the White Sox from making a significant signing like Michael Conforto?
Outside of Kimbrel, do the White Sox have good enough prospects to entice teams into making a deal? Or would they have to be open dealing Andrew Vaughn for an impact player? Would Hahn even entertain that thought after dealing Nick Madrigal this past July?
Hahn is asking for patience. He’ll get it as fans have no other choice but to standby waiting for a new CBA. When that comes, the White Sox front office has work to do before Opening Day 2022, whenever that may be.
