3 White Sox Playing Their Final Season in Chicago in 2024
After seeing Dylan Cease traded before Opening Day, there could be a few more White Sox players who might not stick with the team throughout the 2024 season.
By Jovan Alford
The Chicago White Sox will likely be one of the worst teams in the majors this season after trading away star pitcher Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres. Chicago has the third-best odds of having the worst record in 2024 (+300 on FanDuel Sportsbook).
The White Sox were trending towards a rebuild last season after finishing the 2023 campaign with a 61-101 record, which was their worst record since the 2018 season (62-100). Chicago general manager Chris Getz has a tough job ahead of him as the AL Central is improving with the Minnesota Twins, Cleveland Guardians, and Kansas City Royals.
That said, we should expect the White Sox to move on from a few players, either during the regular season or the offseason. If Chicago decides to do the former, the White Sox will be looking to get prospects back in return to replenish the farm system.
1. Eloy Jimenez
There’s an opportunity that the White Sox could move on from the 27-year-old Jimenez despite having a club option for the 2025 season ($16.5 million).
Getz told reporters in November that there were teams interested in acquiring Jimenez, but the deal has to make sense for both sides, per ESPN’s Jesse Rogers.
Chris Getz, re Eloy Jimenez: "Teams are interested. It just has to make sense for both sides."
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) November 17, 2023
The 27-year-outfielder played the second-most games last season (120) after suiting up for 139 combined games in the 2022 and ‘21 seasons because of injury. The veteran designated hitter slashed .272/.317/.441 with 18 home runs and 64 RBI.
The White Sox will hope Jimenez can have similar production this season, as they will have to outscore many teams with a below-average starting rotation.
Jimenez has been having a great Spring Training, which is a good sign for the White Sox and potential teams who might have him on their radar. The veteran outfielder is hitting .356 with a home run, 12 RBI, and four doubles in 45 at-bats.
There’s always a possibility that the White Sox could keep Jimenez, as he’s only 27 years old, but they might want to build around Luis Robert Jr. instead, who is 26 years old and coming off an All-Star season in 2023.