3 moves for the Chicago White Sox this offseason
The Chicago White Sox went all in on the 2021 season. They hired Tony La Russa as their manager with an eye towards winning the World Series, then made the moves they felt necessary to upgrade their pitching staff. Those moves continued at the trading deadline, with Craig Kimbrel being the headlining acquisition as the White Sox felt they had the pieces needed to win a championship.
Instead, they fell apart in the postseason. Kimbrel never acclimated to the eighth inning. While the White Sox were able to overcome their injury woes in a weak AL Central, that was not the case in the postseason.
Three moves for the Chicago White Sox
Now the White Sox enter the offseason in a different spot. The Tigers feel that they are ready to contend and are looking to take a run at the division. There are holes in the lineup and rotation. The White Sox front office has plenty of work to do if they are going to maintain their spot atop the AL Central.
The Chicago White Sox run atop the division may be in peril. Let’s look at three moves they should make in order to keep their postseason hopes alive.
Find an answer at second base
The Chicago White Sox moved on from their future at second base when they traded Nick Madrigal as part of the deal to land Kimbrel. To make up for that, they acquired Cesar Hernandez, who had an affordable option for the 2022 campaign.
The problem was that Hernandez was unable to live up to his end of the bargain. His production completely tanked in Chicago and even his usually solid defense fell apart. As the White Sox were able to decline his option without a buy-out, that was an easy decision to make.
This now leaves the White Sox to look for a second baseman. Marcus Semien is the obvious prize, but he has stated a preference to either be in Toronto or on the west coast. His impressive 2021 campaign may also price him outside of what ownership would be willing to spend.
Fortunately, there are other options. Chris Taylor is going to be in high demand due to his ability to play virtually anywhere, but he should cost significantly less than Semien. Josh Harrison is another option, but he would be a one year gamble with the hope that Lenyn Sosa will be ready to handle second in 2023. Of course, they could also look to bring Hernandez back at a reduced salary.
The Chicago White Sox need to find a second baseman. Fortunately, they have several options to choose from.
Move on from Craig Kimbrel
The Chicago White Sox hold the ultimate wild card in the hunt for a closer in Craig Kimbrel.
While Raisel Iglesias is the best option in free agency, the secondary closers all have question marks. The same can be said of Kimbrel as well, as he struggled in 2019 and 2020 before his dominant run with the Cubs last season. His struggles with the White Sox after the trade deadline were chalked up to his inability to adjust to the eighth inning, but it is fair to wonder if there is more to the story.
Nonetheless, the White Sox picked up Kimbrel’s $16 million option for 2022 with one plan in mind – trading him. There are plenty of teams that are in need of a closer, which might allow the White Sox to come close to making up what they lost to bring him on board.
However, that should not be the primary focus. The White Sox need to get the best return for Kimbrel, even if that does not involve receiving the same level of prospects that they gave away. It is also possible that trading Kimbrel could address their other needs on the roster as well.
Craig Kimbrel was not what the Chicago White Sox had hoped for. He is back just to be sent away.
Find a viable fourth outfielder
The Chicago White Sox offense was hammered by injuries, particularly in the outfield.
Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert combined to appear in 123 games in 2021 due to severe injuries. While Andrew Vaughn proved to be solid in left, the White Sox were also forced to give the likes of Billy Hamilton more time than they ever should have received on a contending team.
In theory, that trio should be the White Sox starting outfield next year, providing plenty of pop. As that trio are all young, they should be the long term answers as well. However, that does not mean that the White Sox do not need help in the outfield. A fourth outfield, particularly one that is capable of playing center, would be a major boost.
Fortunately, there are plenty of options that the White Sox can choose from. A veteran option such as Kevin Pillar or Mike Tauchman may not be exciting, but they would serve in that fourth outfielder role well while being able to play all three positions. This is not an area where they need to make a splash, but it is still a need on the roster.
Next. White Sox taking risk with Kimbrel. dark
The Chicago White Sox need to find a competent fourth outfielder that is capable of playing center. At least there are several cost effective options out there.