Chicago White Sox need an upgrade at 2nd base
By Erik Brown
May 31, 2015; Houston, TX, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Carlos Sanchez (5) fields the ball before playing against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park. Chicago won 6 to 0. Mandatory Credit: Thomas B. Shea-USA TODAY Sports
While the Chicago White Sox do not want to stunt the growth of their top two second base prospects, Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez, the team should look to upgrade the position if they are to avoid receiving the “sellers” label at the July 31 trade deadline.
Both Johnson and Sanchez have tried their hand at a starting gig this year at the big league level, they have had not much success. While Sanchez has played well defensively, he could not hit the broad side of a barn, hitting .146 in just under 100 plate appearances in 2015.
Where Sanchez has thrived at the big league level on defense, that is the exact reason Johnson got demoted to Triple-A despite his .270 batting average. His .969 fielding percentage in 26 games left much to be desired.
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If the team does not wish to start Gordon Beckham at second (as he has seemingly supplanted Conor Gillaspie at the hot corner) and feel Emilio Bonifacio is better suited as a reserve player as opposed to an everyday second baseman, they must look outside the organization.
Three names stood out to me when sifting through potential trade partners. None of them are impossible targets for one reason or another and all would represent clear upgrades for the Southsiders. While they seem like pipe dreams, the names of those who may be available are Danny Espinosa of the Washington Nationals, Howie Kendrick of the Los Angeles Dodgers, and Brandon Phillips of the Cincinnati Reds.
Next: Danny Espinosa