White Sox: Three Possible Designated Hitter Options for 2018
White Sox reportedly in search of a designated hitter for the upcoming season. Which players would be a good option for this rebuilding team in 2018?
The Chicago White Sox are reportedly in search for a designated hitter for the upcoming 2018 season. With the team entering its second rebuilding year, the Sox could add a veteran hitter for this season in hopes of having more power in their lineup.
Currently, the Sox could rely on Matt Davidson to be their DH for 2018, but the 26-year-old had issues with strikeouts at the plate. Last season, in his first complete year in the majors, Davidson had 165 strikeouts for the Sox. Although he hit 26 home runs with 68 RBIs through 118 games, Davidson had a low batting average of .220.
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If the Sox are going to surprise people this year, they will need some solid production from the DH spot. There are a few candidates who would make good DH options for the Sox going into the 2018 season. Each of these players could be signed to one-year contracts and potentially be traded by July if their value is high.
With the MLB offseason moving along very slowly in regards to free agent signings, there are many unsigned players that could help the Sox for 2018 as a DH. From veterans who are nearing the end of their careers, to players who could show they’re still valuable to a contending team. The Sox have the advantage in not needing to sign any player to a long-term contract. Here are a few players that would be a viable option as the Sox DH for this upcoming season.
Jose Bautista experienced a career turnaround with the Toronto Blue Jays. After being unable to find solid footing in his first four MLB seasons (2004-2008), Bautista became a fan favorite north of the border. From 2008-2017, Bautista hit 288 home runs with the Blue Jays.
His best season with Toronto came in 2011 when he hit .302/.447/.608 with 43 home runs and 132 RBIs. Bautista finished third in MVP voting that year. This was after he hit 54 home runs in 2010 with Toronto. The 37-year-old has been involved in controversy before as he’s gotten into fights with the Texas Rangers, and has been known to watch his home runs from home plate.
Bautista wouldn’t be the best choice for the Sox this season due to his age, and declining skills at the plate. Through 157 games for the Blue Jays last year, he hit just .203. However, he hit 23 home runs to go along with 65 RBIs. He actually had 170 strikeouts for Toronto in 2017, so the Sox could be better off sticking with Davidson for 2018.
Logan Morrison put together his best all-around year with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2017. The 30-year-old hit a career-high 38 home runs with 85 RBIs. Morrison provides left-handed power which the Sox need for this upcoming season.
However, Morrison hasn’t hit higher than .247 in a season in which he appeared in more than 120 games. Last year, Morrison hit .246/.353/.516 for the Rays. His 38 home runs were the most he’s hit since 2011 with the Florida Marlins. That year he hit 23 home runs in 123 games for the Marlins.
Morrison has yet to play consecutive seasons of more than 140 games in his career. In 2017, he appeared in a career-high 149 games. However, this was coming after a season in which he only appeared in107 games for Tampa Bay in 2016. If the Sox sign Morrison, they would need him to play more than 140 games in order for the team to have success from the DH spot in the lineup.
Carlos Gonzalez has been a staple in the Colorado Rockies lineup for many years. But he might find himself with a new team to start 2018. The 32-year-old had his worst season in a Rockies uniform in 2017 but had a strong finish to the year.
With the Rockies potentially going in another direction, Gonzalez could be a solid fit for the Sox in 2018. Last season, Gonzalez hit .262 with 14 home runs and 57 RBIs in 136 games for Colorado. Over nine seasons with the Rockies, Gonalez hit 211 home runs with 685 RBIs for the Rockies while being selected to the All-Star Game three times.
Gonzalez could still have a lot left in the tank and would make a nice addition to a Sox clubhouse featuring many young talented players. Although he hit under 20 home runs in more than 120 games played for the first time in his career, Gonzalez hit six home runs in the final month of the season in 2017. Gonzalez could be the best DH option out of the aforementioned players, and wouldn’t hurt the Sox current rebuild.