Gavin Sheets has signed a minor league contract with the San Diego Padres with an invite to spring training, per Robert Murray of Fansided. He will head west in an attempt to make the Padres Opening Day roster.
Sheets’ Strong Rookie Season
Sheets, 28, spent parts of four seasons with the White Sox where his performance was somewhat of a mixed bag. His 2021 rookie season has been his most productive MLB season to date. He hit 11 home runs in just 54 games that season while posting a 122+ OPS. He provided much-needed power in the White Sox lineup while playing first base and both corner outfield positions. His solo home run in Game 4 of the 2021 ALDS against the Houston Astros represents one of the last positive memorable moments in recent White Sox history.
His Subsequent Regression
Unfortunately, Sheets’ numbers have gone downhill since then. He has never been able to replicate the success of his rookie season. While his 2022 campaign was at least somewhat respectable, as he was roughly league average offensively, his numbers fell off a cliff beginning in 2023. Over 257 games combined across the 2023 and 2024 seasons, Sheets hit just .220 with a .635 OPS and -2.5 bWAR. He was 21% worse than the league average hitter over that time per OPS+. Given that he doesn’t produce much value on defense or the bases either, his future on the White Sox roster quickly became murky.
Parting Of Ways
MLB Trade Rumors projected Sheets to earn roughly $2.6 million via arbitration for the 2025 season. However, with the team looking to shed payroll, they decided to non-tender him and part ways. The Baltimore Orioles were rumored to have interest in Sheets earlier in the offseason, but he elected to take his talents to San Diego instead in hopes of landing a roster spot.
Sheets’ Potential Role In San Diego
Given the presences of Fernando Tatís Jr., Luis Arráez, and Jake Cronenworth on the Padres roster, Sheets will likely compete for a bench role. For all his flaws, Sheets has proven to be respectable against right-handed pitchers. He is a lifetime .239 hitter with a .711 OPS against right-handers compared to just a .168 career hitter with a .458 OPS against lefties. Sheets could be a potential platoon option off the bench in San Diego.
Impact On White Sox
From the White Sox perspective, Sheets heading elsewhere opens up opportunities for other players. It has recently been reported that Oscar Colás could get additional opportunities at first base this winter. Colás is also a natural outfielder, so he will likely benefit the most from anyone currently on the White Sox roster from Sheets no longer being in the equation. Tim Elko and Miguel Vargas are other players who could potentially receive more opportunities at first base and designated hitter with the big league club as a result of this news.
Gavin Sheets’ Fresh Start
Like his former White Sox teammates Tim Anderson and Eloy Jiménez, Gavin Sheets must earn a spot on the Padres opening day roster. He is yet another former White Sox mainstay clinging onto his MLB career.
