The White Sox Are Looking To Upgrade Right Field

Well, death, taxes, and the White Sox looking to find a right fielder. Another year has gone by and the White Sox are still looking to upgrade right field. In the last decade, they have been unsuccessful in finding someone to take over right field for more than a year or two, and even more so, someone to play it at an above average level.

Today, new GM Chris Getz is now echoing the same thing that Rick Hahn has said for the last decade. According to Scott Merkin, Chris Getz said that the starter in right field has not been established at this point in the off-season. He also added that they are looking to add to the position, despite having some potential internal options.

Well, this is not a great sign for Gavin Sheets or Oscar Colas, two young options that could have taken over right field in 2024. Both of them have shown flashes, with Sheets showing more, but Colas has the highly ranked prospect pedigree. This would have been a good year for either of them to prove they belong with the White Sox long term, but it seems that they might not value either of them as a starter long term. It is likely that they see Sheets as a backup and pinch hitter, and they might not be sold on Colas after his performance last year.

This could lead the White Sox to target a right fielder in the Dylan Cease trade talks, as they could get a young player, or a prospect ready to be promoted. The Orioles have a few prospects that fit that bill, as do the Yankees. If they get a trade done with either of those teams, I would imagine that is where the right fielder would come from. If not, there are still some interesting options available in free agency.

Some big names include: Joc Pederson, Jorge Soler, Joey Gallo, and Adam Duvall. All of these are likely out of their price range, based off on the recent moves the White Sox have made. If the White Sox are okay with shelling out 8-15 million dollars a year for a year or two contract, they could likely sign one of them. But, with the way they have been spending, it is unlikely they target one of these players.

Another consideration is how well these players play in the field. Getz has been stressing solid to above average defense out of his signings, and most of those players don’t play very good defense. This will be something to keep in mind. The White Sox desperately need to add another bat, as the bottom half of the lineup is looking very weak, so maybe he will budge on the defense for a good bat.

If Getz does want someone who can hit and is at least competent in the field, he could target someone like Eddie Rosario from Atlanta. He grades out pretty well in the field according to Baseball Savant. He is in the 80th percentile in range, which is outs above average. He does not have a great arm, but his bat would definitely make up for it, as he hit 20+ home runs last year. Rosario would not break the bank and would add a solid lefty bat to the lineup.

I am curious to see who Getz will target, whether free agency or via trade. Right now, my best guess would be that he acquires the right field upgrade in the Dylan Cease trade, but I would not mind an Eddie Rosario signing for the time being if the prospect is not ready.