If White Sox can’t sign superstar free agent infielder, they can target another third baseman that has postseason experience and wouldn’t be a bad option.
The White Sox are currently in a holding pattern. They’ve reportedly offered free agent superstar Manny Machado a contract. Depending on who you believe, the offer is either for seven years or for eight years.
While the Sox wait on Machado’s decision, another player they could target is still available. Mike Moustakas could be a viable option for the Sox if they’re unable to sign Machado. Moustakas has been a productive offensive player over the past few seasons and has postseason experience.
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He might not be as glamorous of a name like Machado, but he would fill a need for the Sox at third base this upcoming season. The Sox would be wise to heavily target the 30-year-old left-handed hitting third baseman if they fail to sign Machado.
Many Sox fans might not want to have Moustakas on the team, but if Machado doesn’t play on the South Side, there aren’t many better options left. Moustakas would give the Sox another power bat from the left side of the plate if signed this offseason.
Over the past two seasons, Moustakas has hit over 25 home runs and driven in 85 runs or more. He’s also hit 24 or more doubles and hasn’t had more than 103 strikeouts at the plate in a single season throughout his career. Moustakas has also been durable with the exception of the 2016 season when he missed the majority of the season with a torn ACL in his right knee.
Other than his rookie season in 2011 and his injury-shortened 2016 year, Moustakas has appeared in more than 135 games each season. That’s an impressive feat for an individual that has played eight major league seasons.
If the Sox are unable to sign Machado, they can’t allow Moustakas to sign with another team. The American League Central division could be wide open if the Cleveland Indians trade one of their star pitchers this offseason. The Sox have a chance to contend early and signing Moustakas if Machado goes elsewhere would give them a better shot at competing in 2019.