Chicago White Sox are all quiet so far on the free agent front
By Todd Welter
The Chicago White Sox really needs someone to play the second base position.
The Chicago White Sox also missed an opportunity to bring Eduardo Escobar back to the Southside. Adam Frazier was once again not traded to the White Sox and instead was shipped to the Mariners.
MLB.com lists Hernandez and Sox utility player, Leury Garcia as the next best free agents available based on their wins above replacement numbers. It would be nice for the Sox to bring back Garcia but Chicago still needs a major upgrade at second.
The Sox could move Tim Anderson, the ultimate team player, to second base and bring in a shortstop, or bring in a shortstop and move second base. That star-studded free-agent crop is starting to be harvested.
BREAKING: Star shortstop Corey Seager and the Texas Rangers are in agreement on a 10-year, $325 million deal, sources familiar with the situation tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) November 29, 2021
Two executives believe Corey Seager will sign today. Javier Baez could also get done before the end of the day. Max Scherzer’s deal is only the start of what could be a busy Monday.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) November 29, 2021
The Chicago White Sox could go the trade route. Another potential solution is a trade for Philadelphia Phillies infielder Jean Segura.
Segura will be 32 entering the 2022 season and is making $14 million with a 2023 club option. He was a 2.6 WAR last season, slashed .290/.348/.436/.784, but hit just 14 home runs. He would help at the bottom of the order with those numbers.
His plate numbers have been in decline since his career year in 2016 when he slashed .319/.368/.499/.867 for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He sported a .981 fielding percentage for the Phillies last season so he can help defensively whether at short or second.
The Chicago White Sox could also try to trade for Kansas City Royals second baseman Whit Merrifield but he is turning 33. Also, would Rick Hahn want to send a package of prospects or young players like Gavin Sheets to a division rival?
Years of loving this team and knowing how Reinsdorf operates when it comes to authorizing payroll leads me to believe the Sox will platoon Garcia and Hernandez. They will bring back both and even though Hahn non-tendered Hernandez, he could bring him back on a prove-it deal after the lockout.