The Chicago White Sox are not going to compete in 2017. If the team holds on to Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, Jose Abreu and David Robertson there’s a chance they can reach their 78-84 mark of last season.
However it seems incredibly unlikely that those four players end the season with the Sox. Chicago isn’t necessarily “tanking”, yet fans shouldn’t expect to see the White Sox in the playoffs in 2017.
While the team won’t be competitive, it doesn’t mean they won’t be active in free agency. The White Sox have already signed Derek Holland to a major league contract while signing Cody Asche, Geovany Soto and Everth Cabrera to minor league contracts.
The White Sox still need a field a team in 2017. Players like Asche and Soto fill holes left by prior trades. Roster Resource has both Asche and Soto as projected starters for the club.
Holland, on the other hand, represents a bounce-back type free agent. He has succeeded in the past, but has struggled due to injuries recently. If he can prove that he still has some gas left in the tank, not only will he be a worthwhile acquisition for the White Sox, but he could become a trade piece at the Trade Deadline.
The White Sox will more likely than not sign at least one more MLB free agent. Fan Rag Sports Jon Heyman reported earlier this offseason that the team was interested in a power bat.
Chicago should be targeting players who have succeeded in the past, and could be traded at the deadline. That way the White Sox could add more prospects towards their future playoff run. While the free agent will perform in 2017, the end goal is adding a talented prospect who could perform greater in the future.
