Can White Sox Sign Premier Free Agent Next Offseason?
White Sox won’t be aggressive in pursuing free agents this offseason, but can they sign a top tier player next year?
The Chicago White Sox payroll isn’t expected to be more than $75 million for the 2018 season. With the team continuing their rebuilding efforts, the Sox won’t aggressively pursue top-tier free agents this offseason. Instead, the Sox will enter next season with a payroll under $100 million.
This isn’t a bad thing as the Sox remain diligent in their pursuit of sustained success in the future. However, with a loaded free agent class after the end of next season, can the Sox make a splash in free agency next offseason?
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The Sox have made splashes before in past offseasons, but the 2018 free agent class could be one of the better classes in a long time. With Manny Machado, Bryce Harper, Josh Donaldson and Andrew McCutchen set to become free agents after next season, the Sox could target one of these players to accelerate their rebuild.
Many Sox fans have been looking forward to next offseason as the team has the chance at landing a premier free agent. The Sox current rebuild has started off brilliantly despite a 95-loss season in 2017. Although the team promoted many of its top prospects this past season, there’s still more talented young players in the minors.
Rick Hahn and the Sox front office did a great job of adding depth to their farm system over the past year through trades and the draft. Now the Sox will need to supplement their prospects with some solid free agent signings over the next few years. Although they won’t be very active this offseason, they shouldn’t hesitate to sign a premier free agent next year.
Next: White Sox Payroll Could Be $75 Million for 2018 Season
The Sox have a good chance at being good team in the next few years. In order to have a great shot at being a perennial World Series contending team, the Sox will have to sign one or two premier free agents next offseason. Jerry Reinsdorf hasn’t been shy in the past at giving out high multi-year contracts, but the Sox have never signed a player for more than $68 million. If the Sox are serious about having sustained success when they’re ready to contend, they will have to offer more than $68 million to attract a premier free agent during the 2018 offseason.