White Sox would checkmate AL with one of these last-minute additions
The Chicago White Sox are a very good team. They are loaded with stars and they are deep. They are, however, always looking to improve as any team should be. They believe they can be a World Series team and they might be looking for a few more pieces to help solidify that. Of course, trading prospects for MLB talent are always on the table for the contenders each year.
There are also some free agents still left out there that wouldn’t cost the Sox anything more than money. These are three late additions they can make to help them checkmate the American League:
The Chicago White Sox could use one more big addition before 2021.
player. 2. . SP. Minnesota Twins. Jake Odorizzi. 12
The fact that Jake Odorizzi is still out there is one of the more surprising headlines of the MLB offseason right now. We are well into spring training and he is still available for any team in the league to sign. He has spent the last three seasons with the Minnesota Twins so the White Sox know all about him. Bringing him in could really help the Sox as they try to take the division for themselves.
He dealt with some injuries during the 2020 season and that caused him to have a very tough season. He only made four starts as a result and that may have a big to-do with why he isn’t signed yet. The good news is that none of the injuries were at all related to his arm. In 2019, he was so good that he was an American League all-star. That is the guy that he believes he can be and a smart team would take a chance on him.
If he came to the White Sox rotation and pitched well, he would be a phenomenal number four. He would have very little pressure as Lucas Giolito, Lance Lynn, and Dallas Keuchel are ahead of him. It would also give Michael Kopech and Garrett Crochet time to work in the bullpen. If Odorizzi was willing, the White Sox would be very smart to consider this.
Cleveland Guardians. Yasiel Puig. 66. player. 5. . OF
Yasiel Puig would make an interesting right field option for the Chicago White Sox.
It feels like Yasiel Puig might be getting to the point where he should be looking to sign overseas. He didn’t play in 2020 and it doesn’t sound like many teams are interested in signing him. He is 30 years old so you would think he has a lot of good baseball play left in him. He has been productive on the field but there have been some minor off the field and attitude issues though so that may be hindering him. For these reasons, the White Sox would be smart to consider him right now.
The Sox are a young vibrant team so they might have just what they need in order to get the most out of a player like this. They could also use some help in the outfield as far as depth, especially in right-field which is where Puig specializes. This is a guy who has been an all-star in his career and has made a few deep playoff runs including a trip to the World Series in 2018. That kind of experience might be helpful for this young White Sox team.
It is fair to assume that if the White Sox (or any team) signed him, any of the issues like trying to fight other teams or being late to meetings would not be tolerated. It wouldn’t be like they were heavily relying on him for anything as it would just be a depth move. It could be a low-risk high-reward type of move that the Sox should absolutely consider. If he came in and was an awesome platoon right fielder with Adam Eaton, they would automatically be a better team.
Josh Reddick. 22. player. 135. . RF. Houston Astros
Josh Reddick could bring some of his experience to the Chicago White Sox.
Let’s pretend that the White Sox did want to give Adam Eaton more help in right-field and allow Adam Engel to be a true fourth outfielder (Eloy Jimenez could use a reliable late-inning defensive replacement). If they are out on someone like Yasiel Puig, they might look at some other free agents that are still available late. Josh Reddick is one of those guys that they might be able to think about.
Reddick spent his career with a few different teams. He started with the Boston Red Sox and then spent time with the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Houston Astros. He was with Houston when they won the World Series with Houston in 2017. No matter what you think about that team, there is no doubt that some experience was gained for Reddick on that run. He was also teammates with Dallas Keuchel for a time which is something to remember as well.
He wasn’t great in 2020 but a lot of good players weren’t. Throughout his career, he has been a really nice baseball player that can be a depth piece on a good team. If he came to the White Sox, there is little doubt that he would be just that.
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The White Sox might consider one of these guys or someone else. They also might just start the season with what they have and make a trade during the season based on whatever team needs present themselves. Either way, there is a lot to be excited about with this upcoming season.