White Sox reportedly interested in the top two free agent players according to a tweet from MLB insider. Could the South Siders land both players this offseason?
The offseason has gotten off to a quiet start for the White Sox. On Monday morning, however, Sox fans received some interesting news regarding their favorite team. According to Jon Morosi, the Sox are reportedly interested in the top two free agents of the offseason.
Both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado are the top two free agents of this offseason’s free agent class. Each player is expected to get a hefty contract that could break records for average annual value. While the Sox do have needs that each player can fill in the outfield and at third base, it remains to be seen if they can get one or both players.
#WhiteSox interested in *both* Manny Machado and Bryce Harper, source confirms, although it’s too early to know how realistic it is for them to sign either. #WhiteSox have second lowest current 2019 payroll commitment of any @MLB team. Story: https://t.co/vSXgIqh3VL @MLBNetwork
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) November 5, 2018
The Sox are in an interesting position as they’re coming off a 100-loss season but also don’t have many long-term financial commitments and a very low payroll currently. Other than Tim Anderson, the Sox don’t have any players under contract behind 2019 with the exception of club options and arbitration. The Sox could very well afford to add Harper and Machado and still have room in their payroll for more additions this offseason.
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With the Sox postseason drought at 10 years and counting, the team badly needs a facelift to attract more casual fans as they continue their rebuild. Signing either Harper or Machado would give the Sox a certified face of the franchise. The Sox were reportedly interested in trading for Machado last offseason but wisely didn’t engage any further as it would have cost them some prospects to trade for a player that was one year away from being a free agent. Machado, however, possibly hurt his overall value in the postseason with the Los Angeles Dodgers with his comments about hustling and some of his antics on the basepaths.
For Harper, he could possibly also see his value drop as he’s coming off a season where he hit just .249 with 34 home runs and a career-high 100 RBIs. Harper got off to a slow start this past season with the Washington Nationals but managed to own a slash line of .300/.434/.538 after the All-Star break. He hit a lowly .214 before the All-Star break.
If the Sox want to be taken seriously as a team that can attract and sign premier free agents, they should certainly go after Harper or Machado. Signing one or both of these players could change the landscape for baseball in Chicago. Sox general manager Rick Hahn has the chance to add talented players to the team. Time will tell if the Sox are able to improve for 2019 and beyond with the addition of one or two of the hottest free agents on the market this year.