The Chicago White Sox trimmed their 40-man roster down to 35 after non-tendering infielder Danny Mendick and outfielders Adam Engel and Mark Payton before Friday’s deadline. All other arbitration-eligible players, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Reynaldo Lopez, Micheal Kopech, and Jose Ruiz, received tendered contracts. 

“We appreciate all that Adam and Danny did for our organization in 2022 and during the prior seasons. As we have said at other times, a lot of consideration and analysis goes into the club deciding to forego the arbitration process and instead engage with players and their representatives as free agents,” Rick Hahn said in a statement. “Our plan is to stay in contact with all three players and evaluate their ongoing fit with our club as we move forward this offseason.” 

Mendick was one of the White Sox’s bright spots in 2022 before a torn ACL cut his season short. He was getting his first taste as an everyday starter and thriving in the role before he collided with Adam Haseley down the left-field line on June 22. The 29-year-old also served as a swiss army knife on defense. Mendick saw time at left field, shortstop, second, and third base last season. When Tim Anderson went down, Mendick filled in admirably at shortstop. He slashed .289/.343/.443 with three home runs and 15 RBIs in 31 games.  

Engel appeared in 119 games in 2022 and had the worse season of his career. Engel has made a living with his glove but was showing steady signs of progress at the plate. In 2021 he posted a .492 slugging percentage, with 16 of his 31 hits going for extra bases. But his bat regressed to the tune of a paltry .579 OPS in 2022. However, he did rank in the MLB’s 82nd percentile in outs above replacement, per statcast. 

Payton is a 30-year-old St. Rita graduate who went 3-for-21 in eight games last season. He could still get an invite to Spring Training next season.

Engel and Mendick provided the White Sox with some much-needed defensive depth. So why did the front office decline to offer them contracts before the non-tender deadline? And is there a chance that either of them will return? 

Danny Mendick 

The White Sox need a second baseman. It has been an issue for them ever since trading Nick Madrigal. The White Sox had the 24th-lowest average WAR from their second baseman in 2022. A case could be made for Mendick as the solution at second base moving forward before he got injured. He was playing his best ball at the MLB level and had options remaining. 

However, Rick Hahn’s decision to non-tender Mendick was a wise one. The Rochester, New York native salary could have risen to $1.1 million in his first year of arbitration eligibility. 

His versatility is nice, but the White Sox already has Leury Garcia under contract, who can serve as a utility infielder. Mendick is also coming off of surgery, which adds to the risk of keeping him. He was also a mediocre player who frequently bounced between the minor leagues before the 2022 season. 

They can always bring him back on a cheaper deal if the White Sox cannot upgrade via free agency or trade. By letting Mendick walk, the front office has given itself more flexibility. There is still a chance that he returns, but if he does, the White Sox probably failed to adequately address the hole at second base. 

Adam Engel

The decision to non-tender was a slightly easier one. Engel has been plagued with injury issues. In 2021 he was limited to 39 games because of three separate stints on the IL. During the last six seasons, he has appeared in 523 games (an average of 87 per season), hit 30 home runs, 65 doubles, and stolen 47 bases. 

The 30-year-old was in line for an estimated $2.15 million raise in his third season of arbitration eligibility. While his defense is elite, and his speed is an asset, he doesn’t project to be a starter next season. With Eloy Jimenez moving to DH and Andrew Vaughn being moved to first base, there is also less need for his late-inning defense. 

The White Sox used Engel off the bench last season, and the results don’t justify a $2 million raise. According to FanGraphs, Defense metric Engel had his worst season in the outfield in 2022. His .224/.269/.310 slash doesn’t help. 

It is also hard to see a big market for his services. Rick Hahn now has more free spots on the 40-man roster. He could still bring Engel back on a minor-league contract.