Chicago White Sox: Way too early potential 2020 free agent targets

The Chicago White Sox did not spend very much money heading into 2019. However, with the team’s arrow pointing up, Rick Hahn and company need to be buyers this upcoming offseason.

I am not going to shy away from the fact I do not fully trust the Chicago White Sox front office to make the right decisions regarding free agency. That said, I will fully admit I get too emotional as a fan at times when it comes to this team.

I threatened to swear off the White Sox after they did not sign Manny Machado in the offseason. That was an emotional reaction. However, I am tired of hearing the excuses around not spending money.

With the likelihood of certain prospects coming up in 2020 and 2021, the front office needs to make moves now. The question is, where should they spend money and who is worth looking at adding this offseason.

Wish List

Gerrit Cole – SP

Gerrit Cole is currently set to hit free agency in 2020. He will likely be the most coveted starting pitcher available if he does not sign an extension with Houston.

Cole is a top-5 pitcher in MLB. With the addition of Cole, the White Sox rotation will go from blah to Woah. He will cost a lot, but he is worth the money. I doubt the White Sox spend enough on one player though and this addition is unlikely.

Alex Wood – SP

A lesser option, but still a guy worth targeting is Alex Wood. Wood has been a solid starter for seven years. He recently made his season debut for the Reds as he returned from a back injury.

Wood should cost less than Gerrit Cole, but he will still demand some money in free agency. If I were the White Sox, I would target Wood early while other teams try to sway Cole. This addition is more likely than convincing Cole to come to a rebuild on the rise.

Wood will still make the starting rotation stronger than most and would likely be the Ace or the second option behind Lucas Giolito.

Anthony Rendon – 3B

This is looking like a wishlist, but why should it not after the White Sox we’re front runners for Manny Machado for most of 2019. If the team can add Anthony Rendon, the White Sox would need to make a few positional decisions going into 2020.

With Nick Madrigal hopefully pushing to make the leap in 2020, Yoan Moncada would likely have to play 3B. Adding Rendon might mean Madrigal becomes trade bait, but give me Rendon and Moncada over Moncada and Madrigal. Anyone who thinks differently is too hung up on prospects.

Maybe Moncada can learn to play right field and they keep all three? Or the more likely, yet not going to sit well with most White Sox fans, is having Moncada play 1B and the team lets Jose Abreu walk. Note: they should be able to sign both and play Abreu at DH.

Quick Hits

Jose Abreu – 1B

If the team does not sign a player like Anthony Rendon they must sign Jose Abreu back. He wants to return making this deal very easy to make happen.

Zack Wheeler – SP

Not even close to being as good as Gerrit Cole or Alex Wood, but would still be an upgrade. Zack Wheeler would likely slot in as the fourth or fifth option.

Add Relievers

Guys like Steve Cishek or Collin McHugh would make solid additions to this group and should not break the bank.

With the right additions and hopefully some luck in regards to the health department of the White Sox roster, this team should be able not only make some noise in 2020, but compete to win the NL Central division.