3 areas for the Chicago White Sox to fix now that lockout is over

Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Player’s association have reached labor peace. Now, we know we get to watch the Chicago White Sox in the year 2022. It is going to be a great summer with baseball at the forefront of things.

The White Sox were an elite team in 2021. They can only get better in 2022 for a variety of reasons. Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenz, and Yasmani Grandal all missed significant time due to injuries and the team still managed to go 93-69. It should be even better if they stay healthy.

Unfortunately, the Houston Astros were better. They humbled the White Sox when the postseason came around and it was clear that they needed more. They are going to get more out of pure development from their own players but a few positions could use some upgrading.

Now that the lockout is over, teams can start talking to their players again. They can also talk to free agents or other teams for trades. The White Sox can use this to try and add to their team as they try and get over the edge in the postseason. There are a few different areas where they can improve.

The Chicago White Sox needs to make some upgrades to their group in 2022.

There are a lot of different players that can be used to fill in some of these areas. With that in mind, it is most important to decide what needs are most important to address. Every team could use something but the White Sox have three needs that are clear. In order, these are the three positions that they need to fix in order:

1. Second Base

The Chicago White Sox needs to figure out the second base position long-term.

The Chicago White Sox has a very solid infield. They do, however, need to address the second base position to take it from a solid infield to an outstanding infield. On most nights, Jose Abreu is going to man first base, Tim Anderson will man shortstop, and Yoan Moncada is going to have third.

In 2021, Nick Madrigal started the season as the everyday second baseman. He was outstanding but he hurt himself to the point where he was out for the season. As the season went along, the Sox traded him to the Chicago Cubs in the Craig Kimbrel trade. It was a good move at the time but hindsight suggests that it wasn’t very smart.

As of right now, Leury Garcia is slated to be the starting second baseman. That is not going to be good enough if they want to win the World Series. On a championship tea, Leury Garcia is the best fit as a legitimate utility man.

He can play every position on the diamond except first base, pitcher, and catcher. He can hit as well so he is a useful player but he isn’t the best option as an everyday starter. Having him come off the bench is the best idea.

The best option, Marcus Semien, signed with the Texas Rangers before the lockout started so they have to get more creative than that. It is going to be fun to see what they do to upgrade this position but it is their most pressing need.

2. Right Field

Right Field is a position that the Chicago White Sox needs to fix before the season.

The Chicago White Sox needs a right fielder badly. It is a slightly less pressing need because there are more options there right now than there are for second base but it is still a need nonetheless. They haven’t had a legit player at the position in a very long time.

They tried to fix it multiple times, however. They traded for Nomar Mazara ahead of the 2020 season and that was a complete disaster. Going into the 2021 season, they went the cheap route again and brought Adam Eaton back but he was cut before the All-Star break.

Now, they need to go out there and do something smart. If the season were to start today, Adam Engel would be the best option for this spot. However, he would be perfect as a fourth outfielder. He has Gold Glove level defense and a pretty good bat to go with it.

Engel would be the best option for a late-inning defensive replacement or pinch-runner (or both). Putting him in left field to replace Eloy up a run in the 9th is better than having him as the starting right fielder.

Gavin Sheets and Andrew Vaughn could also platoon the position but they would be better off platooning the designated hitter spot while playing some first base on Abreu off days. If the White Sox could add a new everyday right fielder, their lineup could pop even more than it already does.