The 2021 version of the Chicago White Sox haven’t made too many mistakes. Sure, they got off to a bad start with Eloy Jimenez injuring himself late in a meaningless spring campaign. Also, there was the Tony La Russa/Yermin Mercedes debacle. However, for the most part, they have been spot on.
Playing 16 games over .500 with a comfortable lead in the division (the biggest lead of any division leader at the moment), proves they are making a lot of correct moves.
One move they may have regretted was bringing back outfielder Adam Eaton this past offseason. A reunion tour that was agonizing from the beginning of the season. A slow, painful, relationship which finally came to an end earlier in the week.
Adam Eaton has been designated for assignment.
After struggling for most of the year, Adam Eaton is jobless after being cut by the Chicago White Sox.
Adam Eaton helped the Washington Nationals win a World Series just two years ago. His play in the postseason was powerful, and paced the offense by hitting .320 with a couple of jacks in the Fall Classic. His encore performance was dreadful.
The Nationals declined his option putting him on the free agent market, and the Chicago White Sox scooped him up. They guaranteed him $8M ($7M with a $1M buyout if his option wasn’t exercised) and hoped he would be a part of a dream outfield featuring Jimenez and Luis Robert. While those two sit on the Injured List, Eaton scuffled to the tune of a .201 batting average and career low .642 OPS.
The ChiSox have a glut of healthy talent in the outfield including Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets as well as a couple of cagey veterans in Brian Goodwin and Leury Garcia allowing them the luxury to part ways with Eaton.
They removed him from the 40-man roster and will officially release him once he clears waivers. His time with the team didn’t hinder their performance on the field, as the White Sox are running away with the American League Central. This is a blemish on their record though, and will go down as a move which didn’t pay dividends.
Should the Chicago White Sox go on to postseason greatness, signing Adam Eaton and then discarding him will just be a footnote. Time will tell on that one.