Chicago White Sox: Recapping the offseason and what’s left to do
By Ryan Sikes
The Chicago White Sox are the most improved team in the American League. What’s left for Rick Hahn and company this offseason?
The Chicago White Sox made a statement to start the offseason when they signed Yasmani Grandal, who was considered to be the best free-agent catcher on the market. Grandal’s four-year deal worth $73 million was the highest the team had given to any free agent in franchise history, so to say expectations are high for the 31-year-old would be a massive understatement.
Grandal had a terrific year with the Milwaukee Brewers last season, slashing .246/.380/.468 with 28 home runs and 77 RBI. He also logged a .993 fielding percentage behind the plate, which is a step above both Welington Castillo and James McCann. Speaking of McCann, the 29-year-old had a breakout 2019 season, and the signing of Grandal muddied the waters on exactly how McCann might fit long-term Still, the White Sox brought him back on a one-year deal, and it appears he will primarily be Grandal’s backup.
The move will likely signal the end of Zack Collins’ time with the team, as the former 10th overall pick of the 2016 MLB Draft has yet to materialize into what the team had hoped. And while a potential relocation to first base seemed plausible for Collins, it will not be with the White Sox after the club brought José Abreu back on a three-year deal. The American League RBI leader signed with the team after the 2013 season and has been the definition of “consistent”.
Abreu could have garnered more money on the free-agent market, but now he’ll get the opportunity to be part of what figures to be a very competitive era for the Chicago White Sox.