White Sox will have the opportunity next offseason to add an All-Star infielder to a talented young team that could contend for many years.
Even though it’s been a few weeks since the Chicago White Sox hot stove was sizzling with Manny Machado and most recently Christian Yelich trade rumors, the team is now having a much quieter offseason. Regardless, the White Sox have been making great under-the-radar deals this offseason.
Just recently, the Sox resigned Miguel Gonzalez to a one-year deal. This could prove to be a very significant deal if he can hold down the end of the young pitching rotation. The Sox also acquired two very solid relievers in Joakim Soria and Luis Avilan. The bullpen was the biggest question mark heading into 2018 but it seems to be taken care of for the most part now.
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Among other signings like Jose Rondon and Jose Ruiz, it’s obvious the Sox were not in complete desperation mode to go big this offseason. The players they signed either have extremely limited MLB experience or have more than five years of service time. But it’s perfectly fine the Sox didn’t go big this winter because they didn’t have to. But next offseason, the main objective should be going all out for Manny Machado.
The previous Machado talks that took place in December were very premature. The central issue with the Sox acquiring Machado is it could only happen through a trade with the Baltimore Orioles. Now a trade with the Orioles was extremely alarming for three reasons.
- The White Sox would need to give up prospects for him.
- Machado will be a free agent at the end of 2018.
- There were reports that if he was traded, he would not resign with that team at the end of 2018.
So, instead of waiting to go big for Machado next offseason, the White Sox were risking giving up prospects for only one year because he wouldn’t sign an extension. And all this for a season where the Sox are not expected to contend.
However, with trade talks seemingly having fallen through for Machado this offseason, the Sox should not be discouraged from offering him a big deal next offseason.
Machado is a perfect fit for the White Sox. He’s an elite third baseman. Machado is one of the best in the majors and the Sox currently don’t have a definitive third baseman of the future.
The three-time All-Star would add instant offense and a fantastic glove to both the lineup and the diamond. Machado is a career .279 hitter, with more than 30 home runs in the last three seasons and a two-time gold glover. According to Baseball Reference, his similarity scores through the age of 24 is compared to 1. Ron Santo, 2. Ryan Zimmerman, 6. Adrian Beltre, and 7. Bryce Harper.
The Sox should definitely try and grab Machado if they can and sign him to a five or six-year deal. He’s still young and is about to enter the prime of his career. Not only is he a great player, but he fills a position the Sox still need. The Sox also wouldn’t give up any prospects to sign him as a free agent.
In two seasons, the Sox should be in a better position than they will be in 2018. Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, Nicky Delmonico, Reynaldo Lopez, and Lucas Giolito will have another season of experience. Michael Kopech and Eloy Jimenez may also be joining them at the start of 2019, hopefully with fellow Dominican Machado.
Next: What to Make of White Sox Outfield for Upcoming Season
So imagine both the infield and the lineup in 2019 featuring Anderson, Moncada, maybe Jose Abreu and Machado, going 1-through-4. Followed by Jimenez, Blake Rutherford, and Luis Robert in 2020. If the Sox have the opportunity to do so, they definitely should make this happen.