Nick Madrigal (Getty Images)
Going into the offseason, White Sox fans knew the team wasn’t going to compete for the upper echelon free agents. Or even middle-tier free agents. That leaves bargain bin free agents. And there are some guys out there that could actually help the team. Of course, they don’t have to be great to help the Sox.
The Sox have made some interesting choices themselves. For example, the Sox have cut Gavin Sheets loose. And that’s fine. What is puzzling is they kept Andrew Vaughn. Andrew Vaughn has produced at around the level of a replacement player. And yet the Sox will probably pay him around $6 million. Why? The Sox are as inept as they are cheap. Let’s take a look at options the White Sox could take.
First base options
Andrew Vaughn had a WAR of 0.2. Meanwhile, Connor Joe had a WAR of 0.6 in less playing time. Even Patrick Wisdom would probably be a better power option. Wisdom hit only eight home runs last season, but in the three years prior to that, he hit 28–25–23 home runs. I would think Wisdom would hit 20+ home runs if he got regular playing time.
Three outfield options
The White Sox outfield situation has been a disaster. Luis Robert Jr. should be better in the 2025 season if the atmosphere is less toxic. Adam Benintendi had a WAR of -0.8. But he did hit 20 home runs. The Sox had no production from right field. There is some help available.
Bryan De La Cruz hit 21 home runs while splitting time between the Marlins and Pirates. The Sox could really use that kind of power. While De La Cruz isn’t a good outfielder he could provide an option at DH.
Michael Tauchman would be a great addition. The former Cub has a great eye at the plate and gives a quality at bat pretty much every time. In two seasons with the Cubs, he put up an OBP of .360. He also had an OPS of .723. In addition, he plays decent defense. He’s a guy the Sox should target.
Dylan Carlson was cut loose by the Rays, and while he didn’t contribute much las season, in his rookie year of 2021, he did hit 18 home runs. He also was able to put together an OPS of .780. And he’s only 25 years old. I would think he would qualify as one of the best outfield prospects in the Sox organization.
Could the Sox see the return of their Madrigal son?
The Cubs, in addition to cutting Patrick Wisdom and Mike Tauchman, the Cubs also let Nick Madrigal and Brennen Davis loose. The White Sox are one of the few teams in MLB Madrigal might help. Their infield is that thin. Davis would also be one of their better outfield prospects at this point.
Why would a free agent sign with the White Sox?
Playing time should be easy to come by. Plus, if you play well you can escape to a contending team by the trade deadline. It might also be easier to put up good numbers if there is no pressure to win.
