Ranking the Chicago White Sox Off-Season Moves
By Jeremy Karll
White Sox Trade for Todd Frazier
The White Sox needed a blockbuster trade and they eventually pulled one off. Todd Frazier was part of three team trade, one in which the White Sox sent Trayce Thompson, Micah Johnson and Frankie Montas to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It seems like a lot, but Frazier is worth it. He is a two-time all-star and also the 2015 Home Run Derby Champion.
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Frazier led the NL in at-bats last season, with 619, and compiled a slash line of .255/.309/.498 with the Cincinnati Reds. That’s a true stat line of a power hitter, which is what Frazier is. Frazier launched 35 bombs in 2015, and 29 in 2014, and now he’s going to be hitting at one of the most hitter friendly parks in the majors. He also drove in 89 runs last season, and 80 the year before. For a team that was among the worst in power statistics last season, Frazier was someone the Sox needed to add.
He is 30 years old, but has only been in the league for four years, so not as much wear and tear. Frazier is also not set to hit free agency until 2018. The Sox were able to give up three players with decent upside for one of the best third baseman in the game. Frazier instantly makes the Sox a better team, and will be competing with teammate Jose Abreu for who can have the most homeruns on the team.
Offensively, Frazier is as good as they come when talking about third baseman. However, he led all third baseman in errors last season with 19. He did play in 155 games, compiling 1371.1 innings, and owned a .952 fielding percentage. Frazier is not as bad as it sounds defensively. He only committed nine errors at third base the previous year, and had a .970 fielding percentage. He is still a way better option than the Sox had last season.
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For as much of a revolving door the third base position was for the Sox last season, finding one of the best third baseman in the game was unexpected. Frazier will quickly become a fan favorite and be near the top of the AL in homeruns and RBIs. He won’t be able to turn the White Sox around by himself, but it’s one of the best moves Rick Hahn has made.