The Chicago White Sox have been scouring the free agent market for low-cost bounce-back type free agents. In a rebuilding year, the team is looking for either players they could flip at the trade deadline (Derek Holland) or players who could help fill a depleted roster (Geovany Soto, Cody Asche, Everth Cabrera).
However while the White Sox are looking to fill their 2017 roster, it doesn’t appear as if the team is willing to spend big money. Chicago would rather save their resources to pounce in free agency when they’re ready to make their postseason push.
Atleast that’s what makes sense in theory.
Bleacher Report’s Zachary Rymer recently wrote an article predicting where the top remaining free agents would sign. In that article Rymer predicted that the White Sox will sign former Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Michael Saunders.
He wrote:
Another team that could do that is the Chicago White Sox, whom MLB Trade Rumors listed as a possibility for Saunders in November. They could use him in right field and at DH and then flip him this summer for more prospects to add to their growing farm system.
The White Sox are the more off-the-board pick for Saunders. However, it’s easier to see them signing him to play over Avisail Garcia and Matt Davidson than it is to see the Phillies signing him to share time with Howie Kendrick and Roman Quinn.
Saunders has been in the MLB for the past eight seasons, playing for the Mariners and the Blue Jays. In his 702 career games Saunders has hit .235 with 75 home runs, 242 RBIs and 55 stolen bases. He also has a career .991 fielding percentage.
In signing Saunders, the White Sox are hoping that he could have a first half similar to the one he had in 2016. While he fell off in the second half, he was an absolute beast prior to the All Star Game.
If Saunders is able to have another All Star type season, then he will surely draw trade interest on the open market.
It is yet to be seen what Saunders price tag will look like. MLB Trade Rumors predicted he would sign a three year/$33 million contract.
That price could scare away the White Sox, but if they feel that he could be a valuable trade piece, perhaps they take a chance. Saunders hasn’t found the market he had hoped entering free agency. By signing with the White Sox, he would be able to rebuild his value while showcasing his potential to other teams.
The White Sox haven’t been connected to any major free agents. But Saunders is more likely to draw trade interest than Avisail Garcia.
If Bleacher Report’s prediction comes true, the White Sox would be getting a very talented outfielder for the first half of the season, and an even more valuable trade piece at the Deadline.
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