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5 reasons that the Chicago White Sox lost the offseason

By Todd Welter

Oct 10, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder Leury Garcia (28) celebrates with teammates Gavin Sheets (32) and Yoan Moncada (10) after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning during game three of the 2021 ALDS at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox left fielder Leury Garcia (28) celebrates with teammates Gavin Sheets (32) and Yoan Moncada (10) after hitting a three-run home run against the Houston Astros during the third inning during game three of the 2021 ALDS at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Chicago White Sox, Tony La Russa
Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

Second base is still a problem

The Chicago White Sox added a second baseman but they could have done better.

Hahn decided not to give Seimen a huge contract to return to the Southside after having some great seasons away from Chicago. Not giving out big money to a 30-year-old player is fine.

The Sox also missed out on chances to sign Eduardo Escobar (another former Sox player) or trade for Adam Frazier.

They also decided against signing Chris Taylor who would have helped in the outfield. The Sox even passed on the idea of signing shortstops Corey Seager, Trevor Story, or Javier Baez and then figuring out where to play one of them with Tim Anderson.

The thought of paying those three did not fit the White Sox business model of not giving out contracts over $100 million. This was not the offseason to go cheap at second base which was a huge hole in the White Sox lineup. That is exactly what the Sox are doing.

The Chicago White Sox signed Josh Harrison to a one-year deal. He will be platooned with playoff hero Leury Garcia, although we can expect Harrison to get most of the playing time.

Harrison is fine a player but his All-Star days are well behind him. Fangraphs projects the 34-year old infielder experiencing a decline in production with just a 92 wRC+ and .317 on-base percentage which would be down from the .341 number he posted last season.

He is more suited to a utility role and would have been a great signing if the Sox lost Garcia in free agency. The Sox had a chance to make a big splash and instead made a ripple.

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