The 5 worst free agent signings in White Sox history
The White Sox organization is one that really has never been burned too often in the history of free agency. The reason is simple. CEO Jerry Reinsdorf has never been a big believer in it. So here are my top 5 worst White Sox free agents.
1) Jamie Navarro, 1997
Navarro had back to back great years for the cross town Chicago Cubs in 1995 and 1996. Then, White Sox GM Ron Schuler needed to make headlines that off season and thought why not take away the Cubs best pitcher.
So the White Sox signed Navarro to a hefty four year, 20 million dollar deal. When it was all said and done, Navarro won just 25 games for the south siders and lost a staggering 43.
2) Adam Dunn, 2011
With Jim Thome aging, the White Sox needed someone to replace him at the DH position. With the always powerful Dunn available in free agency, White Sox GM Kenny Williams made the move and signed the big donkey to a four-year, 56 million dollar deal.
Before the ink could barely dry on the contract, Dunn got off to a horrific start in 2011 and finished the season with the worst batting AVG .159 in the history of Major League baseball. He’s still playing for the White Sox and it really hasn’t gotten much better two years later.
3) Ron Blomberg, 1978
Blomberg is best remembered as being the first DH in baseball when he played for the New York Yankees. On the south side of Chicago, he might be best remembered as the worst free agent in the history of the franchise. He would only play one year for the White Sox due to bad play and injuries.
4) Jerry Ruess, 1989
In 1988, the White Sox signed Ruess to a one-year deal and he went out and won 13 games that season. The big mistake was when they signed him again in 1989 at the age of 39 for $590,000. After losing his starting job, the White Sox mercifully traded him to the Brewers midway through the season.
5) Sandy Alomar Jr, 2003
In 2003, the White Sox thought it would be a good idea to bring the aging Sandy Alomar Jr. back to Chicago for a veteran experience. By then, Alomar was just a shell of the once great player he was. Sadly, the White Sox would bring him back for another tour of duty in 2006.