With the White Sox finally checking their “find a manager” box for the offseason, the team can now begin to focus more on how they play to augment Pedro Grifol’s 2023 roster. As the World Series starts coming to a close, we are starting to get a better sense of what the market may look like for certain players – and where the White Sox may fit in.
This morning, Jon Heyman of the New York Post named the top 30 free agents, as well as expert predictions on what contracts they may receive. The White Sox were named as a potential fit for five of the top 30 free agents, several of whom Sox fans are quite familiar with. Here are the players who are a potential fit, as well as the potential competition and contract expectations:
7. Carlos Rodon: Big year by the Bay. Teams: Giants, Dodgers, Rangers, White Sox, Mets, Yankees. Expert: $150M, 5 years.
11. Jose Abreu: White Sox got him on bargain last time. Great leader. Teams: White Sox, Giants, Rangers. Expert: $75M, 3 years.
14. Willson Contreras: The Mets tried for him at deadline. Teams: White Sox, Tigers, Twins, Angels, Cardinals, Red Sox, Rays, Mets. Expert: $88M, 4 years.
28. Michael Conforto: May need to do short deal to reprove himself after missing 2022. Teams: White Sox, Mets, Yankees, Mariners. Expert: $14M, 1 year.
29. Christian Vazquez: Backup for Astros, but fine two-way catcher in Boston. Teams: Cardinals, White Sox, Angels, Twins, Red Sox, Brewers, Rays, Padres. Expert: $33M, 3 years.
Being listed as a potential fit for two different catchers says a lot about how the market may view the White Sox’ feelings about Yasmani Grandal as well as the White Sox’ catching depth as a whole. Both Contreras (132 wRC+) and Vazquez (99 wRC+) are quality catchers that provide different skill sets. Contreras is much stronger offensively, while Vazquez is much stronger defensively, though both provide clear upgrades over Yasmani Grandal’s performance in 2022. However, given that Grandal is set to make $18.25M this season, the White Sox may be better off betting on a bounce back and spending their budget elsewhere.
That’s where Rodon comes into picture, and the former White Sox would give the team another clear ace to go with Dylan Cease. With now two consecutive seasons of high performance and good health, Rodon has earned himself a high pay grade. However, it’s unclear if the White Sox would pay the projected $30M/season that Rodon may make this offseason. Jose Abreu also checks the box of the *potential* former White Sox, though it’s unclear if Abreu would actually earn $25M on the open market this season.
Finally, Conforto serves as a sort of wild card after requiring shoulder surgery last offseason and not signing with a team. Since he turned down a long-term extension with the Mets prior to becoming a free agent in 2022, Conforto will now have to take a one-year “prove it” deal that should fall right within a comfortable price for many teams. Conforto would serve as a great platoon option next to AJ Pollock, should Pollock opt into his $13M contract ($5M buyout) for 2023.
Note that none of these players have necessarily been “connected” to the White Sox – more so, these represent the industry’s opinion on who might fit the needs best, combined with likely some chatter that is going on within baseball. The Winter Meetings for GMs are coming up, which will give us the first time to really get a sense of some of the early rumors within baseball as to who might be finding new homes this offseason.
As the offseason gets underway after the World Series, we will make sure to provide you with any updates.
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Featured Image: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
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November 05, 2022 at 12:50AM
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White Sox named as potential fit for 5 top free agents - Sox On 35th
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