The lockout has ended and baseball is back. It’s time to reignite the Hot Stove and buckle up for a free agent frenzy. Now that the transaction freeze has been lifted some huge names can resume finding homes for the 2022 season and beyond. This year’s free-agent class still has some huge names on the board including:
- Carlos Correa
- Freddie Freeman
- Trevor Story
- Kris Byant
- Anthony Rizzo
- Nick Castellanos
- Micheal Conforto
- Jonathan Villar
- Kyle Schwarber
- Josh Harrison
- Jorge Soler
- Tommy Pham
- Eddie Rosario
- Joc Pederson
- Nelson Cruz
- Clayton Kershaw
- Carlos Rodon
- Zack Greinke
- Yusei Kikuchi
- Micheal Pineda
- Johnny Cueto
- Kenly Jansen
- Joe Kelly
- Andrew Chafin
- Ryan Tepera
Here are some players on this list that would make sense for the White Sox.
Michael Conforto
The White Sox needs a right fielder. Michael Conforto is coming off a down year so a team could get him at a “buy low” price.
While Conforto only hit .232 last season he still has value for the White Sox. He has shown a knack for getting on base. While his average dipped last year he was still able to draw 59 walks. That would have ranked fourth on the White Sox behind only Yasmani Grandal (87), Yoan Moncada (84), and Jose Abreu (61). In fact, it was technically a down year in the walk department for Conforto as well. His career-high in walks is 84. Conforto ranked second in the National League in on-base percentage in 2020 with a .412 mark.
Conforto also batted .322 in 2020 and drove in 92 RBIs in 2019. He ranked second in the NL in Offensive WAR in 2020. His power would also play well at Guaranteed Rate Field. Conforto has hit 20+ home runs in four of the last five seasons. He was an All-Star in 2017 after hitting .279 with 27 home runs and a .939 OPS.
Defensively he has his peaks and valleys. As a left fielder, his range factor was the third-best in the NL in 2018. Conforto also ranked third in putouts as a right fielder in 2019 and fifth in 2020. He also ranked first in assist in 2020. However, he ranked third in the NL in errors in 2021. Despite some question marks, Conforto would represent a significant upgrade over what the White Sox have fielded the past couple of seasons.
Joc Pederson
The White Sox has been linked to Joc Pederson in the past. There were rumors that Rick Hahn inquired about trading for him a couple of years ago, then the front office tried to sign him when he hit agency last offseason. Pederson seemed to like the notion of playing in Chicago, unfortunately for the White Sox, he signed with the Cubs. Pederson is set to hit free agency once again. His white pearl necklace would match the White Sox jersey. Could the third time be the charm?
Pederson had an inconsistent 2021 campaign. He was dealt to the Braves at the trade deadline and finished the season with a .238 average, 18 home runs, 61 RBIs, and a .732 OPS. Pederson has proved himself as a playoff performer. He has a lifetime .256 batting average with 12 home runs, 29 RBIs, and a .814 OPS during postseason baseball. Even before he reached the show he seemed to have a knack for excelling in the postseason. Peterson was named a Post-Season All-Star as a member of the Ogden Raptors in 2011. Nine years later he helped the Dodgers win a World Series Championship, hitting .389 with a .421 OBP in the NLDS. He also had three home runs during the Brave’s recent World Series run.
Pederson would help the White Sox in the power department. He was a member of the Home Run Derby in 2015 and 2019. He ranked 11th in the National League with 36 home runs in 2019. In 2018, he was 19th with 25 home runs and in 2015 he was 14th with 26.
In fact, Pederson has posted double-digit home runs in every full season he has played. The only two seasons he didn’t was in 2014 when he played 18 games with the Dodgers and in the shortened 60-game season in 2020.
The drawback for Pederson is his lackluster defense. He also does not hit for average so he tends to be a home run or bust type player. The Braves were able to use him as one of their sparks to ignite a World Series run. Perhaps the White Sox can do the same.
Nick Castellanos
Castellanos opted out of his current contract with the Cincinnati Reds with $34 million and two years remaining on his deal. The Reds are still interested in retaining their All-Star outfielder so if the White Sox want him they are going to have to bid with the high rollers. However, Bob Nightengale believes that Castellanos to the White Sox is still a possibility. According to Nightengale because of the lockout, players may not get the big contracts they were initially seeking so he could easily fall into the lap of a team for a cheaper short-term deal.
Castellanos is coming off a phenomenal season with the Reds. The 29-year-old hit and posted a .309 batting average and a .939 OPS en route to his first All-Star appearance. He also had 34 home runs and 100 RBIs.
Chicago baseball fans are very familiar with Nick Castellanos. He tormented the White Sox as a member of the Detroit Tigers before being dealt to the Chicago Cubs.
But if the White Sox are going to shell out close to $20 million a year for a player, they probably want him to competent on the defensive end. Castellanos is a sub par defender. Having Eloy Jimenez in left field and Castellanos in right isn’t exactly a recipe for a sturdy outfield unit. However, his offensive prowess may be enough to overlook these shortcomings.
Castellanos paired next to Jose Abreu in the same lineup would produce one of the most efficient run producers the league has seen. Add in the extra lineup protection of Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert, Tim Anderson, and Yasmani Grandal, and Casrellons would be in line for his best season to date.
Jorge Soler
Jorge Soler is another battle-tested postseason performer that is available this offseason. Like Pederson, he has played in Chicago. winning the World Series with the Cubs in 2016.
He should be in line for a big payday after taking over the World Series for the Atlanta Braves. Soler was named World Series MVP after hitting three home runs, driving in six RBIs, and batting .300 in the six-game series. He proved to be the most impactful trade deadline acquisition in 2021.
Atlanta’s season was hanging in the balance with Ronald Acuna Jr lost for the season and Marcell Ozuna getting arrested for domestic violence charges. Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos turned to Jorge Soler to patch one of the holes in the outfield. In 55 games with Atlanta, Soler belted 14 home runs, drove in 33, and posted a .524 slugging percentage. He also hit .269 which helped attribute to his .882 OPS.
Not only does Soler have experience playing in the Chicago market and the postseason, but he is also familiar with the AL Central division. Soler played four and a half seasons with the Kansas City Royals, leading the American League with 48 home runs in 2019.
The White Sox did not hit home runs at a very high rate in 2021 despite having a lineup full of power. While injuries to Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and Yasmani Grndal played a factor in that, adding Soler couldn’t hurt. Soler is a durable player who led the AL in games played in 2020.
The 29-year has a bad habit of expanding the strike zone. Soler led the league in strikeouts in 2019 with 178. He also ranked 17th in the AL in 2020. The White Sox needs more guys that can hit for average which may be a turn-off for the front office. The threat of Freddie Freeman leaving the Braves may also provide Alex Anthopoulos extra incentive to bring back Soler.
Ryan Tepera
The failed Craig Kimbrel experiment made it clear the White Sox do not need to add another closer. However, you can never have enough bullpen arm to set up the bridge to the ninth inning. When you consider that the bullpen was one of the weaknesses of the White Sox last season, and Micheal Kopech is departing for the starting rotation, some reinforcements would seem like a no-brainer.
Ryan Tepera was excellent during his short stint with the White Sox. In 65 games he posted a 2.79 ERA and took home reliever of the Month honors in May. Tepera held opponents to a .164 batting average on the year.
He owned a 2.50 ERA with the White Sox and locked down six of his 16 holds with the South Siders. During the postseason he continued to shine. He appeared in three ALDS games and earned a hold in Game 3. He only allowed one run during the series.
Tepera has would give Tony La Russa the flexibility to slot him in the sixth, seventh or eighth innings. Rick Hahn would be stupid to not look into bringing him back.
Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly is looking into a reunion with the Los Angeles Dodgers, however, he would be a great fit with the White Sox. Kelly owns the postseason experience that Rick Hahn covets and has a proven track record.
The 10-year veteran has two World Series rings. The first came in 2018 with the Boston Red Sox and the second in 2020 with the Dodgers. He was a key contributor to that Dodgers bullpen posting a 1.80 ERA during the regular season.
Last season he owned a 2.86 ERA and even picked up a pair of saves. His 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings were the third-highest mark of his career.
Kelly could be an interesting setup option to consider if the Dodgers do not snag him.
Johnny Cueto
The White Sox could still use some starting pitching depth. The White Sox already have Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Micheal Kopech, and Dallas Keuchel. They don’t need to spend huge money on a sixth arm but, with Keuchel’s inconsistency and Kopech’s inexperience, it would be a wise investment.
Johnny Cueto is a two-time All-Star with a championship pedigree. He won the World Series in 2015 as a member of the San Fransico Giants. Cueto posted a 4.08 ERA in his 14th Major League season.
While he is getting up there in age he still seems to have a few more good years left in the tank. Cueto knows how to pitch and get guys out even though his strikeout numbers have dipped. He was playing in a tough division, and a hitter-friendly home ballpark but still managed to post solid numbers.
While he may not be the pitcher he used to be, he would be a good voice to have in the clubhouse, whose knowledge and experience would help some of the younger members of the White Sox pitching staff. He could also be a good insurance option if Keuchel gets shelled once again next season.
