Chicago White Sox need an upgrade at 2nd base
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
Danny Espinosa:
Jun 3, 2015; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals second baseman Danny Espinosa (8) throws to first base after tagging out Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher
Mark Buehrle(56) during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
Aside from sporting a great mustache, Espinosa would represent an upgrade in the lineup for manager Robin Ventura’s club.
The six-year veteran for the Nationals is hitting .253 on the year, with 8 home runs and 18 driven in. Those 8 long balls match his total from last year in 61 less games. Espinosa is no slouch with the glove either, sporting a career .988 fielding percentage, with only one error in 214 chances manning the second base position so far in 2015.
He would certainly be a better option for a team that is looking to make a run at the post-season spot despite an underwhelming start to the season. That Washington has been moving him around the diamond lately may suggest they do not have a permanent spot for him following former No. 6 overall pick in the draft Anthony Rendon‘s return from injury and therefore may be available in trade talks.
Next: Howie Kendrick
Howie Kendrick
Jun 13, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Howie Kendrick (left) throws to first to put out San Diego Padres right fielder
Matt Kemp(not pictured) during the fourth inning as shortstop
Jimmy Rollins(11) looks on at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
While this move may take a little more to make, it is not unrealistic. Kendrick is playing on a very crowded Dodgers roster that is still congested despite moving former White Sox player Juan Uribe at the end of May.
While the outfield gets the media attention for being overflowing with players, especially with Yasiel Puig returning from the disabled list (where he ended up with a hamstring injury) a week ago, the infield has a lot of depth as well.
Given the emergence of Alex Guerrero and top prospect Corey Seager waiting in AAA Oklahoma City, coupled with Kendrick’s pending free-agency this winter, the move would make sense from a Dodgers’ perspective.
In the final year of a 4yr/33.5 million dollar contract that he signed with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, the 31-year old is making a reasonable $9.5 million this season.
Since it is a walk year for Kendrick the Sox could probably get him for a little less than what the Dodgers gave up for him, especially with how well Guerrero has played for those in Dodger Blue. (Kendrick was flipped for a top pitching prospect, Andrew Heaney, who was the #30 prospect in baseball prior to the 2014 season.) Kendrick would be an obvious and significant upgrade at second for the Sox.
Next: Has Jamaal Charles Lost a Step?
Brandon Phillips
May 20, 2015; Kansas City, MO, USA; Cincinnati Reds second basemen Brandon Phillips (4) makes a throw to first against the Kansas City Royals during the sixth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
It is no secret the Reds want to move the gold glove second baseman; dating back a few off-seasons, Phillips has consistently been named in potential trades.
The question is when will the team’s GM Walt Jocketty begin selling off pieces, as some in the industry believe he is waiting until after the Queen City hosts this year’s Midsummer Classic, but the team may not be willing to wait, given the recent discussions about stud closing pitcher Aroldis Chapman.
Phillips would not only bring that golden glove in the field (he has four of them because of stuff like this) who also hits at a career .272 clip, but also an immediate presence with the fans at U.S. Cellular Field. (He does cool stuff like this and that.)
This move would bring a little more age on the roster for years to come, as the 33-year old North Carolina native is signed through 2017, where he will make a hefty $14 million dollars, but for a team that has not seen the postseason since 2008, they may look a touch short-sighted, especially given the current roster and the pretenses under which it was formed.
Next: Final Thoughts
Jun 10, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman Emilio Bonifacio (64) forces out Houston Astros right fielder George Springer (4) at second base during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Since the White Sox had so much promise coming into the season, one must wonder if General Manager Rick Hahn is feeling the pressure to make a move to turn this team around.
While much of the disappointment has come from players not playing to their career norm, as pointed out by Chris Rongey in the Daily Herald, there are places where the team could stand to upgrade the talent level, even if it is just while the organization waits for its top middle infield prospects to develop one more summer in the minor leagues.
One of these players could help spark the club at 35th and Shields both on the field and in the clubhouse and maybe, just maybe, lead this team to live up to the hype it had in spring training.
Next: Chris Sale let down by offense in loss to Rays