White Sox: Top 5 Free Agent Signings in Franchise History
White Sox have had some great free agent signings in the history of the franchise. Which player is the best free agent signing for the Sox?
The White Sox have never signed a player to a contract worth more than $68 million. This has been repeated throughout this offseason as the franchise continues to pursue superstar free agent Manny Machado.
Although the Sox haven’t signed a player to a contract of $68 million or more throughout their history, there have still been some good signings made by the franchise over the past few decades. Some players have helped the Sox reached the postseason after being signed, while others have had historic seasons on the South Side.
The Sox might not be known to sign premier free agents, but they’ve signed players that have helped the team for a number of years. While many fans have discussed the Sox failed signings of free agents in the past such as Adam Dunn, Mark Teahen, and Adam LaRoche amongst others, there are many other players that have turned out to be good free agent signings for the Sox.
With the Sox aggressiveness this offseason in pursuing free agents, the front office appears to want to build a competitive team sooner than later. Each of the players listed in this article helped the Sox one way or another. Some players didn’t help the Sox reach the postseason but were still productive while others helped the Sox win their first World Series championship in 88 years.
Albert Belle
During the offseason of 1996, the White Sox signed Albert Belle to a then-record contract of $55 million for five years. Belle was coming off another impressive season with the Cleveland Indians and also came with a lot of baggage. His attitude wasn’t the best and he often fought with opposing players.
However, Belle’s signing was perceived well in 1996 as he was joining a Sox team with Frank Thomas, Robin Ventura, and Ozzie Guillen. Belle would only play two seasons in a Sox uniform as he was granted free agency after the 1998 season as he invoked a clause in his contract to be one of the highest paid players in baseball.
Despite only playing two seasons with the Sox, Belle would go on to have productive years in 1997 and in 1998. In 1997, Belle finished his first year with the Sox with a .274/.332/.491 slash line to go along with 30 home runs, 116 RBIs, and a .823 OPS. Belle was also a member of the American League All-Star team that year.
In 1998, Belle would have a history-making year with the Sox. His last season with the Sox was his absolute best year. Although the Sox got nowhere near playoff contention that season, Belle put up some massive numbers offensively. Belle finished 1998 with an impressive .328/.399/.655 slash line and a Sox single-season record 49 home runs to go along with 152 RBIs and a 1.055 OPS.
Belle might not have been in a Sox uniform for long but his productive seasons in 1997 and 1998 made his signing very good as a free agent. Belle would end his career with the Baltimore Orioles and remained productive offensively into his last season in the Majors in 2000.
Carlton Fisk
Carlton Fisk was the first major signing of the new Sox ownership group led by Jerry Reinsdorf in 1981. After not receiving a new contract from the Boston Red Sox in the mail until after the deadline for players to sign, Fisk wound up becoming a free agent going into the 1981 season.
The White Sox didn’t waste much time in signing the veteran catcher as Fisk signed a five-year $2.9 million deal. Fisk would become a fan favorite on the South Side and helped the Sox end their playoff drought of 24 years when they won the AL West division in 1983. Fisk would play 13 seasons in a Sox uniform, longer than he played with the Red Sox. He was an All-Star four times with the Sox and was third in MVP voting in 1983.
Fisk compiled a .257/.329/.438 slash line with 214 home runs and 762 RBIs through 13 seasons with the Sox. The Sox were unable to reach the World Series with Fisk and the catcher would later enter the Hall of Fame with a Red Sox hat on. However, his no. 72 was retired by the Sox and he will be remembered fondly by Sox fans.
A.J. Pierzynski
If you didn’t hate A.J. Pierzynski while he was a member of the Minnesota Twins, then you were doing things wrong as a Sox fan. Pierzynski was an antagonist during his playing days with Minnesota and wasn’t beloved by many Sox fans. That was until he was signed as a free agent before the 2005 season.
After his brief stint with the San Francisco Giants in 2004, Pierzynski would become one of the better free agent signings for the Sox. Pierzynski would play eight seasons with the Sox but no season was as important to the franchise than 2005. The catcher would have a solid year for the Sox in 2005 as he hit .257 with 16 home runs.
Pierzynski would be involved in controversy during his time with the Sox. First in 2005 during the ALCS against the Los Angeles Angels. During game 2 of the 2005 ALCS, Pierzynski advanced to first base on what was ruled as a dropped third strike. Pierzynski would later be replaced by Pablo Ozuna who would later score the game-winning run on a Joe Crede double to tie the series.
The second controversy Pierzynski would be involved in as a member of the Sox came in 2006. Many Chicago baseball fans remember this quite well. Pierzynski and Cubs catcher Michael Barrett got into a bench-clearing fight in a crosstown contest in the Spring of 2006. This led to Pierzynski becoming hated by many Cubs fans but beloved by Sox fans.
Pierzynski’s signing might not have been huge news before the 2005 season, but it can be stated that his signing was one of the best in franchise history for the Sox. Currently, Pierzynski is a broadcaster for Fox Sports. It would be nice if he could someday become a broadcaster for the Sox as he will always be loved by Sox fans.
Jermaine Dye
Jermaine Dye‘s signing before the 2005 season didn’t get much fanfare. Dye was coming off a solid season with the Oakland Athletics before being signed by the Sox. Many Sox fans were aware of who Dye was a player after seeing him play five seasons with the Kansas City Royals before going to Oakland. Dye would sign a two-year, $10.15 million contract with the Sox before the 2005 season.
With the Sox, Dye would have one of his better seasons in the Majors in 2005 and made up for the loss of Magglio Ordonez in right field. Dye hit .274 with 31 home runs and 86 RBIs in his first season with the Sox in 2005. He would also provide the key hit in game four of the World Series to score the lone run of the game. After helping the Sox win their first World Series in 88 years, Dye would be named MVP of the 2005 World Series.
Dye was productive through his five seasons with the Sox. He was an All-Star in 2006 along with Pierzynski and ended that season fifth in MVP voting in the AL. During that 2006 season, Dye hit .315 with a 1.006 OPS, 44 home runs and 120 RBIs. In his five seasons with the Sox, Dye owned a .278/.344/.525 slash line with 164 home runs, 461 RBIs and a .869 OPS.
Jose Abreu
Jose Abreu is the only player on this list that is still an active member of the Sox. The Sox surprised many around baseball when they signed the Cuban slugger to a six-year, $68 million after the end of the 2013 season.
Since his rookie season in 2014, Abreu has been one of the best offensive players for the Sox. He won AL Rookie of the Year in 2014 and made an appearance in the All-Star Game that year. Abreu hasn’t been on a Sox team that has reached the postseason, unfortunately. However, his presence has been important for the Sox on and off the field.
Abreu made history in first four seasons with the Sox. He joined Albert Pujols and Joe DiMaggio as the only players in MLB history to began a career with 25 or more home runs and 100 or more RBIs in their first four seasons. Despite being selected to his second career All-Star Game in 2018, Abreu was unable to repeat the historic feat for a fifth consecutive season.
dark. Next. Michael Kopech and the Tommy John Rehab Battle
2019 could be the final season for Abreu in a Sox uniform. He’s been a tremendous mentor for younger Spanish-speaking players on the Sox and helped the franchise to sign International Free Agent Luis Robert. Over his five seasons with the Sox, Abreu has hit 146 home runs and owns a .295/.353/.516 slash line with a .869 career OPS. Hopefully, 2019 isn’t the end for Abreu with the Sox as he’s easily the best free agent they’ve signed in franchise history.