The White Sox traded for left-handed hitting outfielder Nomar Mazara late Tuesday night at the Winter Meetings, but there’s no way the 2020 season can begin with the 24-year-old being the primary right fielder on the South Side. If he is, then the White Sox would have come woefully short in their attempt to make a big improvement in right field considering the other players available in free agency or via trades.
The fear among fans is that the White Sox are simply going to bet on Mazara finally breaking out and fulfilling his potential. Yet, he’s played four MLB seasons in a hitter’s park and hasn’t been league average at the plate since making his debut in 2016. He’s a below average base runner and corner outfield that has also struggled against left-handed pitching.
In more than 2,000 MLB plate appearances, Mazara has posted a .799 OPS vs. righties and a .633 OPS vs. lefties. So, when you hear Rick Renteria saying that he views Mazara as the main right fielder next season, White Sox fans get understandably upset.
But maybe there was a break in communication between manager and general manager. Less than an hour later White Sox GM Rick Hahn said that you shouldn’t judge the right field situation solely based on the trade of Mazara.
So, Hahn is signaling another move, but after so much talk during the previous two offseasons and only one huge signing in Yasmani Grandal, White Sox fans are obviously skeptical. They’re tired of the talk. They want to see action.
According to MLB.com’s Jon Morosi, the White Sox are still in on Marcell Ozuna and Nick Castellanos.
Recent rumblings from the Winter Meetings have the Braves and Reds as most aggressive for Ozuna, while the Giants are viewed as the highest bidder for Castellanos. But things can certainly change in a blink of an eye.
Even if it’s not one of those two guys, the White Sox need to pair Mazara with another bat because him alone just doesn’t cut it.
