Chicago White Sox: This new free agent would make sense

It’s that time of year again. The World Series is over and now it’s time to fire up the hot stove. After getting humiliated by the Houston Astros in the ALDS before watching them go to the World Series, it is clear the Chicago White Sox needs to make some upgrades if they want to take the next step.

Luckily for Rick Hahn and the front office, a perfect fit for the team just hit the market. Nick Castellanos is opting out of his contract with the Cincinnati Reds. He popped up on White Sox fan’s radar after tormenting them as a member of the Detroit Tigers.

He then traveled to the Northside of Chicago and dominated. He nearly single-handily revived the Cubs season in 2018 and carried them to a playoff spot but they came up just short. Castellanos’ hit 16 home runs in 51 games on the Northside while batting .321.

Castellanos is coming off a phenomenal season with the Reds. The 29-year-old outfielder posted a career-best .309 batting average along with a .939 OPS en route to his first All-Star appearance. He also had 34 home runs and 100 RBIs.

Nick Castellanos would make a great fit as a member of the Chicago White Sox.

For a White Sox offense that struggled with consistency, Nick Castellanos would be a perfect fit. His power plays perfectly in Guaranteed Rate Field. He would also simultaneously provide even more lineup protection for an already menacing group. Castellanos’ 34 home runs would have led the White Sox roster last season.

His .309 batting average would have tied Tim Anderson for the best on the team. The White Sox needed more guys that can hit for average. Over the past couple of seasons, the teams that have done well in the postseason are the ones that put the ball in play and hit for average.

The White Sox lost their best contact hitter at the trade deadline when they shipped off Nick Madrigal to the Cubs. Castellanos would serve as a great replacement to help boost the White Sox team batting average along with providing more power than Nick Madrigal ever could.

He also just happens to play a position the White Sox need. It’s been no secret that the White Sox have struggled to find an everyday right fielder. Nomar Mazara was a complete failure, Adam Eaton was released before the season ended, and Adam Engel has struggled to stay healthy. He only played in 39 games this season.

If the White Sox decide to keep Engel around, they can use him as a defensive replacement late in games to make up for Cadtellano’s defensive deficiencies. If the White Sox wants Castellanos’ services they are going to have to pay up.

The Reds do not want to lose their star and there are sure to be other suitors. If history is any indication, White Sox fans should not get their hopes up. Rick Hahn had the opportunity to ink Castellanos in 2019 and there were little to no reports of any conversations between the two sides.

Last offseason George Springer, Micheal Brantley, Eddie Rosario, and Kyle Schwarber were available and the White Sox front office didn’t jump on any of them. Time will tell if they have a change of heart. A big-name outfielder like Castellanos could be the boost the White Sox needs to take the next step.