Chicago White Sox: 4 players to cut when Jimenez and Robert return

It is an exciting time to be on the Chicago White Sox. As Gavin Sheets so eloquently put it, “this is the place to be right now.” The White Sox lead their division by nine games and are playing some of their best baseball of the season.

They have been getting contributions up and down the 40-man roster. Rick Hahn and the front office have helped assemble a roster with layers of good players. This depth has helped them withstand injuries to key guys such as Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal, and Yasmani Grandal.

Guys such as Gavin Sheets and Jake Burger have stepped up and made an immediate impact in the big leagues. Seby Zavala has managed the pitching staff well when he has caught. The White Sox have also gotten help from some unsung heroes such as Brian Goodwin and Billy Hamilton.

The Chicago White Sox should be getting a major boost later this month.

Adding to the excitement is Eloy Jimenez inching closer to return as he massacres balls in Triple-A Charlotte. He is expected to return during the series against the Cleveland Indians at the end of July. Meanwhile, Luis Robert is beginning his rehab assignment with the Winston Salem Dash.

They should each provide a huge boost to the White Sox lineup. With these two knicking on the door to the Major Leagues, the unfortunate reality sets in that somebody on the major league club will have to be sent down to make room for them. Here are the four most likely candidates to get sent down when Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert return:

Gavin Sheets

Gavin Sheets has been a steady player for this Chicago White Sox team so far.

Gavin Sheets is doing everything he can to stay. In his first game as a major leaguer, he went 2-for-4 with two RBIs and a run scored. The next night he launched his first career home run.

On July 19th he helped salvage a doubleheader split with some heroics in the seventh inning of the second game. With the White Sox trailing by a run he connected with a Jose Berrios fastball for a three-run walk-off homer. He has already hit five home runs and driven in 14.

He has also played wherever the White Sox have asked him. Despite being drafted as a first baseman, he has worked to convert to a corner outfielder. Five hours before a game in Minnesota he could be seen in right field working on his defense with Darrel Boston. Sheets has also served as a designated hitter for the White Sox.

With the White Sox short on left-handed power bats, why is he a candidate to be sent down? The White Sox will not have a spot for him. Eloy Jimenez might see some time as a designated hitter, especially since Andrew Vaughn has shown he is a good defensive left fielder. Sheets won’t be able to play right field either since Adam Engel will likely shift over there when Luis Robert returns.

The White Sox like Billy Hamilton so he will stay as a player off of the bench. Sheets’ .226 batting average will not be enough to justify keeping him on the active roster so he is in the unfortunate position of being the first odd man out.

Jake Burger

Jake Burger of the Chicago White Sox has been an awesome story this year.

Jake Burger has been one of the feel-good stories of the season so far. After tearing his Achilles twice, then missing the 2020 season because of the pandemic, Burger has made an incredible comeback. After not playing baseball for three years he was able to work his way to the show.

Since breaking into the big leagues, Burger has hit .278 with one home run. He has also posted a solid .850 OPS. On the defensive side, he has played a solid third base and also served as a designated hitter.

What Burger has working against him is his lack of versatility. He played some games at second base in Charlotte but the White Sox have not been comfortable enough to trot him out there yet. Yoan Moncada has served as the primary third baseman and as the pennant race heats up he will spend the majority of the time there. Eloy Jimenez’s return might lock up the designated hitter spot. With those two positions filled, that leaves little room for Burger except as a bat off of the bench.

However, the White Sox have already shown they value defensive flexibility. One of the main reasons Yermin Mercedes was sent down was because he couldn’t provide any help in the field. The White Sox has plenty of guys who can play DH. If the White Sox don’t trade for a second baseman, then Danny Mendick may have the inside track on keeping a roster spot. If Burger wants to stay in the majors he is going to have to continue hitting and hit a lot.

Brian Goodwin

Brian Goodwin has earned everything he has gotten from the Chicago White Sox.

With two outfielders returning Brian Goodwin may be the odd man out. The White Sox already have a crowded outfield. Andrew Vaughn has been excellent defensively in left field and has a ton of offensive upside. Adam Engel is a gold-glove caliber fielder and has quietly been a productive hitter. Billy Hamilton is the ultimate defensive replacement and provides a speed threat on the bases.

Where does that leave Brian Goodwin? Luis Robert will be the everyday centerfielder. Adam Engel will likely be the everyday right fielder. A platoon of Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn is likely to take man left field. Billy Hamilton is one of the best fielders of the group so he would have the edge over Goodwin as a backup.

Out of all the candidates to be sent down this one seems the most unlikely. Tony La Russa likes Goodwin’s bat. He has consistently placed him in the cleanup spot. Goodwin is also hitting a solid .259 with four home runs, 16 RBIs, and a .802 OPS.

On the defensive end, Goodwin can play all three outfield positions. He can be considered a slightly above-average defender. But with a log jam in the outfield, there may be simply no room.