Chicago White Sox: Josh Harrison signed to one-year contract

Versatile infielder Josh Harrison has found a new team, signing a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Chicago White Sox. The deal also contains a team option for a second season with a $1.5 million buyout.

Harrison, widely known as one of the good guys around the league, will be joining his fifth big league organization in 2022 after previously spending time with the Pirates, Nationals, Tigers, and Athletics.

The 34-year-old Harrison is a two-time All-Star that can play virtually anywhere on the diamond. A former star super-utility player for the Pirates, he spent last season splitting his time between the Nationals and Athletics, playing four different positions and appearing in a total of 138 games.

Formerly a lock to hit around 15 home runs per year, Harrison’s power numbers have declined somewhat as he has aged, but he has still shown excellent bat-to-ball skills paired with a great eye at the plate. While he is not a power hitter anymore, Harrison is capable of annually posting about a .280 batting average.

Last season, Harrison hit eight home runs in 558 plate appearances, stealing five bases and posting a .279 batting average. After being traded to the Oakland A’s, his offensive production dipped somewhat but he managed to show that he still has something left in the tank with a solid first-half showing in Washington D.C.

The vast majority of his playing time in 2022 is expected to be at second base — his primary position by trade — where he will split time with fellow super-utility option Leury Garcia. Both players have the ability to play all over the infield and outfield so there is plenty of playing time to go around between the two of them.

The Chicago White Sox have signed utilityman Josh Harrison as a part of the crazy free agent frenzy that was March 12, 2022. Harrison will be the club’s second baseman in 2022 and has a club option for a second season on his deal if he is able to contribute at a high level.