Chicago White Sox Rumors: Could Manny Machado and Bryce Harper be South Side bound?
The Chicago White Sox are in the midst of a 10 year playoff drought, but they could find their way back into the playoffs if they are able to sign a certain pair of coveted free agents during the upcoming offseason.
Manny Machado and Bryce Harper are going to be heavily pursued by many teams this offseason, but if the two want to play together (while also receiving large paydays), their options may be more limited. Although the Chicago White Sox lost 100 games last season, they should not be completely counted out of the Machado-Harper sweepstakes.
According to team payroll numbers by Spotrac, the White Sox payroll in 2018 was only $71.8 million. If their current arbitration eligible players are kept while receiving the raises predicted by MLB Trade Rumors, and the $16.0 million team option of James Shields is not picked up, the White Sox will only be on the hook for roughly $51.8 million next season.
As the White Sox have history of going north of a $100 million payroll in numerous seasons (including $130 million in both 2011 and 2016), the organization could have a lot of funds available for the upcoming free agent class. With Jose Abreu already on the 2019 roster and many intriguing, young talents such as Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, and Reynaldo Lopez in the mix, the South Side of Chicago could be a free agent destination ahead of the 2019 season.
Another aspect of the White Sox organization that could be attractive to free agents is the fact that they are a member of the American League Central division. The Cleveland Indians have won the division in three straight seasons, however, after losing in the ALDS in each of the past two seasons following their World Series loss in 2016, the team could be considering a shake-up that may leave the AL Central up for grabs next season.
As the 2018 AL Central division also featured a 78 win team (Minnesota Twins), a 64 win team (Detroit Tigers), and 58 win team (Kansas City Royals), this division may provide an opportunity for Machado and Harper to return to the postseason on a division-leading team. The rumored destinations of either Philadelphia or the Bronx for the pair would present a tougher road to the playoffs as the NL East and AL East are very talented divisions.
The AL East was especially tough this season as a 100 win New York Yankees team had to settle for a Wild Card spot after the Boston Red Sox put together a 108 win season. Harper and Machado are very familiar with the Eastern divisions, so they may want to venture out to another division.
Although the Los Angeles Dodgers could be another possible destination for the duo, the NL West is also tough as evidence by the Colorado Rockies forcing the Dodgers to play a game 163 to determine the winner of the division. Due to this, it makes sense that a popular town to spend an off-day (such as Chicago) should be considered as a real possibility for the two young free agents looking to sign massive, long-term contracts (especially if the pair want to play together).
The Chicago White Sox currently have an everyday shortstop and an everyday third baseman, however, Machado would be a significant upgrade for the team.
Tim Anderson is the current starting shortstop for the White Sox. He is a home-grown player in Chicago as he was drafted by the organization as the 17th overall pick in the first round of the 2013 draft. Anderson is signed through the 2024 season if two team options are picked up in 2023 and 2024.
During his third major league season, Anderson put together a 2.4 oWAR and a 1.0 dWAR through 153 games played, according to baseball-reference. He compiled 20 home runs, 64 runs batted in, and a .687 on-base plus slugging percentage (OPS).
Carlos Sanchez is the current starting third baseman for the White Sox. He is also a home-grown player as he was signed by Chicago as an amateur free agent in 2009. He is not signed to a long-term contract, but he is in his arbitration years with his first go around in free agency currently on place to follow the 2022 season.
Sanchez compiled 155 games played for the White Sox and put together a 2.0 oWAR alongside a 1.1 dWAR. Although he spent the majority of the season at third base, he also filled in at second base and shortstop for a few games. During the 2018 season, he compiled 52 extra base hits and a .678 OPS.
As Sanchez has the ability to play multiple infield positions, he could be a very versatile bench piece for the White Sox if they are able to bring Machado into the mix. It would be a large upgrade to the team to bring in a shortstop/third baseman that compiled 37 HRs, 107 RBI, and a .905 OPS through 162 games split between the Orioles and Dodgers.
Even though Machado held a -1.2 dWAR with the Orioles at shortstop, he improved to a 1.2 dWAR with the Dodgers at the same position. Regardless of if Machado would end up at shortstop or third base (and if Anderson stays at shortstop or moves to third base), a left side of an infield that featured two young, talented players would be very exciting to watch for many years to come.
Although the Chicago White Sox already have a group of talented outfielders, Harper would obviously be a significant upgrade to the current arrangement in the outfield.
If the White Sox were unable to make any outfield adjustments during the upcoming offseason, they would likely enter the 2019 season with Daniel Palka as their everyday left fielder, Adam Engel as their everyday center fielder, and Avisail Garcia as their everyday right fielder.
Palka put together a very impressive rookie season in 2018. Through 124 games, he compiled 27 HRs, 67 RBI, and a .778 OPS. Although he provided a 1.6 oWAR for the team, he hurt the team with a -1.7 dWAR. Nonetheless, the offensive talent of the soon-to-be 27-year-old is definitely note worthy.
Engel will also turn 27-years-old during the upcoming offseason and he put together a solid sophomore season for the White Sox in 2018. During the season, he compiled 27 extra base hits with 16 stolen bases and a .614 OPS. He put together a 0.4 oWAR and a 0.6 dWAR.
Garcia is currently 27-years-old and he will turn 28 in the summer of 2019. However, unlike Palka and Engel, he has been with the big league club since 2013. After putting up an .885 OPS in 2017 and earning a trip to the MLB All-Star game for the first time in his career. Through 93 games played in 2018, his OPS dipped a bit down to .719, but he did manage to put up a career high 19 home runs in only 356 ABs.
Although the outfield has an intriguing group of three players that will be 27-years-old at the start of the 2019 season, there is a soon-to-be 26-year-old that is worth finding a spot for in the outfield. Through 159 games in 2018, Harper compiled an .889 OPS alongside his 34 HRs and 100 RBI. This kind of production will take any lineup to the next level.
Whether it means shifting Engel to a 4th outfielder role, putting Palka as the primary designated hitter, or trading Garcia as he enters his final year of arbitration eligibility, it would be easy for the White Sox to allow Harper to play whichever outfield position he would prefer.
Although it is a long-shot for the Chicago White Sox to acquire the two top free agents available this winter, they could drastically improve their overall roster and reach the playoffs in a weaker AL Central division.
Despite a 217 strikeout season for the talented Yoan Moncada in 2018, he still managed to put together 55 extra base hits for the team alongside a .714 OPS. As he has put together two 45+ stolen base seasons in the minors, and as he has shown the ability to consistently hit for extra bases, he has the potential to grow into a very productive lead off hitter for the White Sox.
The All-Star caliber trio of Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, and Jose Abreu could then follow the switch-hitting Moncada in the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th spots of the lineup The right-handed hitting Avisail Garcia could hit 5th and the left-handed hitting Daniel Palka could hit 6th. The 7th, 8th, and 9th spots could then be filled out with Matt Davidson, Omar Narvaez, and Tim Anderson.
This would create the following lineup:
2B – Yoan Moncada – S – .315 OBP/.400 SLG
3B – Manny Machado – R – .367 OBP/.538 SLG
CF – Bryce Harper – L – .393 OBP/.496 SLG
1B – Jose Abreu – R – .325 OBP/.473 SLG
RF – Avisail Garcia – R – .281 OBP/.438 SLG
LF – Daniel Palka – L – .294 OBP/.484 SLG
DH – Matt Davidson – R – .319 OBP/.419 SLG
C – Omar Narvaez – L – .366 OBP/.429 SLG
SS – Tim Anderson – R – .281 OBP/.406 SLG
Adam Engel (.279 OBP/.336 SLG), Leury Garcia (.303 OBP/.376 SLG), Wellington Castillo (.304 OBP/.406 SLG), and Carlos Sanchez (.306 OBP/.372 SLG) could either fit into bench/platoon roles or be traded for other upgrades to the team.
Although that lineup would be very tough for opposing pitchers, the White Sox would need to lure in pitching upgrades in order to convince Machado and Harper that it is worth it to sign in Chicago to grow with this young team. Even though Reynaldo Lopez and Carlos Rodon showed signs of being solid rotation options, the organization would need to quickly secure agreements in free agency with solid starters and relievers or make trades with other organizations.
If the White Sox are able to upgrade their pitching staff before Harper and Machado make decisions on where they will sign, they could be a dark horse candidate to sign the pair during the upcoming offseason. However, with win-now teams in place (that are likely to spend money this offseason) such the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Atlanta Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies, it will be tough for the White Sox to sign the coveted pair of free agents this winter.
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Nonetheless, if Machado and Harper are looking to sign with the same team to play together, the White Sox are a young team with a lot of potential that are located in a great city. As the White Sox have a lot of money to spend if they are willing to go back up to a $130 million payroll, they could also simply outbid other teams. This happened with Alex Rodriguez when he signed with the Texas Rangers, Robinson Cano when he signed with the Seattle Mariners, and Eric Hosmer when he signed with the San Diego Padres. If money is the primary focus for Machado and Harper, it leaves the door open for all kinds of possibilities this offseason.