3 White Sox players you should be prepared to lose next season

Brian Goodwin has been sensational for the 2021 Chicago White Sox offensively.

Brian Goodwin has proved to be a steal for the White Sox this season. After getting released by the Pittsburgh Pirates, the White Sox plucked him off the scrap heap and signed him to a minor league deal.

Goodwin has provided some big moments for the White Sox. He hit a walk-off home run against Cleveland early in August. He then hit a go-ahead home run in extra innings at Wrigley Field during the Crosstown Classic. He was the first player in White Sox history to lead off the tenth inning with a two-run homer due to the MLB’s new extra-inning rules.

Goodwin has also flashed the leather a couple of times in the outfield. While Goodwin has served as a nice pickup, the White Sox should be looking to upgrade this offseason. Brian Goodwin is already 30 years old which doesn’t bode well for him being in the White Sox long-term plans. Goodwin is hitting just .236 with eight home runs and 28 RBIs. That is nothing to write home about.

The White Sox also have Eloy Jimenez and Andrew Vaughn who have left field locked down. Goodwin also won’t be pushing Luis Robert out of his spot in centerfield anytime soon. Adam Engel is a superior defender than Goodwin so if he is fully healthy next season he would have the inside track position.

Rick Hahn is likely to test the free-agent market and see if he can find another impact bat to fill the right field hole. If he doesn’t, the White Sox also have Micker Adolfo and Blake Rutherford waiting in the minor leagues for a shot. Gavin Sheets has also shown he is an option in right field. If the White Sox can’t find a better replacement, they may try and bring Goodwin back for cheap but it seems unlikely they would go this route.