Every year MLB Trade Rumors releases their Top-50 Free Agents list and their predictions on what team will sign them. This year, the White Sox are linked to a few names on the list, but they are linked to fewer free agents than they usually are.
Right off the bat, they are not linked to Shohei Ohtani, as he is projected to get a 12-year, 528 million dollar contract. Any deal within 429 million of that puts him out of the White Sox range, so fans should not get their hopes up.
Eduardo Rodriguez
The first player they are linked to is Tigers starter, Eduardo Rodriguez. This would be a nice pickup for the White Sox, as they desperately need a consistent starting pitcher who throws lefty. He had a great year last year, going 13-9 with a 3.30 ERA. This would slot in in the top half of the rotation for the Sox, for a modest price. MLBTR projects a four-year 82 million 82-million-dollar contract, so he wouldn’t break the bank. I don’t know if the Sox would spend that much money on a starter this year, as they have a few prospects who can take that next step and fill out their rotation. If the Sox do sign a starter, I’m not sure if it will be for a significant sum of money, like this, but if they do, it might be telling how they feel about the pitching prospects on the brink of promotion.
Teaoscar Hernandez
The next link is Seattle Mariners outfielder Teaoscar Hernandez. This would be a huge signing for the White Sox, as he would be their best right fielder since Jermaine Dye. How likely this is, I’m not sure, as he is 31 and wouldn’t really fit with the timeline of most of the players. However, if they do want to compete, this would be a fantastic move, as it would add a legitimate middle-of-the-order bat. On a down year in Seattle, Hernandez hit .258 with 26 home runs and 93 RBIs. In a hitter’s park in Chicago, he could really put his power on display. MLBTR projects a four-year, 80 million-dollar contract, which would be in the price range of the Sox, so if they are serious about competing, this would be a move they should make.
Yariel Rodriguez
Their next link is Cuban free agent Yariel Rodriguez. This link is obvious, as the Sox will always be linked to any major Cuban free agent. Rodriguez has been pitching in Japan for the last few years where he has performed well. Over three years, he has pitched 175 innings, pitching to a 3.49 ERA. He struck out 188 batters in that timeframe, so he has some very good strikeout stuff. If he can stick as a starter, a 4 year, 32-million-dollar deal would be a nice move for the Sox, and if it doesn’t work out, they have an elite bullpen arm for a pitcher who is only 26. This would be a great move for the Sox, and if they are going to add to the staff, this would be one of the arms I would target.
Aroldis Chapman
Next, they list Aroldis Chapman as a potential fit. I don’t see this and I hope the White Sox don’t sign him. He is on the wrong side of 30 and he will be expensive. The White Sox need to go away from spending big on the bullpen and focus on other areas. If they spend 12 million on Chapman per year, which MLBTR projects, it would be a horrible allocation of sparse resources.
Whit Merrifield
Ironically, Whit Merrifield is the next player they project to sign with the Sox. All three analysts picked the White Sox, which is very fitting. They project a 2-year 18 million dollar deal, which would not be a bad deal for him. I think if they are trying to win, this is a perfect signing. Otherwise, let the younger guys play. There are some intriguing prospects in the upper minors who should get an opportunity before Colson Montgomery and Jacob Gonzalez come up and take up the middle infield spots.
Luis Severino
Lastly, Luis Severino is the last player they have linked with the White Sox. MLBTR projects a one-year, 14 million dollar pact as a “prove it” deal. I personally think that is a lot of money for a guy who has struggled mightily last year. I like the idea of trying to fix promising starters that have struggled recently, as you can flip them at the deadline, or sign them to an extension. If he is willing to take the price down to 10-12 million, that would be a solid move, but if he struggles, you can DFA and have someone like Nick Nastrini take his spot.
These are all solid players and they would improve the White Sox. Whether they make sense all depends on what direction the Sox want to go. If they are going to compete, the first few make a lot of sense. If not, let the younger guys play. I think the Sox will lay low in free agency and try and get the most out of the bargain bin and flip those guys at the deadline.
