3 good right fielders still there for the Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox needs some help. They are a very good team but no Major League Baseball organization is perfect. Right now, the Sox need a right fielder. They have been addressing second base and pitching so far but nothing has been done about that glaring need.
As of right now, Adam Engel, Andrew Vaughn, and Gavin Sheets are the options. Sheets and Vaughn are both great hitters but neither of them are right fielders. Both of them would be out of place in that role and would be better off as designated hitters (backup first basemen).
In the case of Engel, the perfect role for him would be to be the fourth outfielder. There is a big need for that help late in games from a guy who plays solid defense and can chip in some big-time offense. Adam Engel can be that guy. You take that away from him if you make him the full-time right fielder.
The White Sox has a unique opportunity right now. They are an elite team that can be even better. Adding just a bit more would significantly increase their already high odds of winning the American League. If they wanted to really go for it, they have plenty of room for a big-time free agent.
The Chicago White Sox should really consider a free-agent outfielder.
There are still some really good options out there right now from a right-field perspective. A few of these guys can bounce around the outfield but that won’t be necessary here. If the White Sox wanted to make one more splash, these are the three best outfielders to consider:
1. Nick Castellanos
Nick Castellanos has his pros and cons but he would help the Chicago White Sox win.
The Chicago White Sox probably has Castellanos ranked as the best hitter of the outfielders but the worst defensive fielder. He is an interesting player because he has absolutely owned the White Sox in his career. You would think that coming to play at Guaranteed Rate Field would be enticing to him since he has had so much success there.
He also knows what it is like to live in Chicago as he had a short stint with the Chicago Cubs. Following some really good years with the Cincinnati Reds, he is looking to make some money and take it from a really good team that has a chance to win.
The White Sox would improve a lot if they added Castellanos. Thier lineup is already outstanding so adding someone who could hit that many home runs would be a luxury. The explosiveness would probably make up for the lack of defense that he provides.
As mentioned before, there are pros and cons to a signing like this but the good does seem to outweigh the bad. If the White Sox were able to pull off a signing like this, they might have the most feared lineup in the big leagues which is incredible to think about.
2. Michael Conforto
The Chicago White Sox could really use someone like Michael Conforto.
One thing the Chicago White Sox have lacked over the past two seasons has been lefty power. Gavin Sheets provided some in the second half of last season but he was just a rookie trying to find a permanent spot on the team.
With Sheets in 2022, along with the switch-hitting Yoan Moncada, Leury Garcia, and Yasmani Grandal, there are left-handed options now. However, there is no doubt that they could use some more help from that side of the plate.
Adding someone like Michael Conforto would be a great start. He would provide the lefty power that this team needs this season and give them so much more versatility when it comes to matching up against pitchers. He also plays the position of need which makes him a perfect addition.
He has never had the protection in the lineup that he would have with the 2022 Chicago White Sox either which could help him become an even better hitter. That would make Chicago’s lineup absolutely deadly.
Conforto had somewhat of a down year with the New York Mets in 2021 but that followed a bunch of really good years. Everyone on the Mets (besides Jacob deGrom) underachieved in 2021 and Conforto fell into it. A change of scenery on a great team would do him so well. Out of everyone on this list, he makes the most sense for the White Sox.
3. Kris Bryant
The versatile Kris Bryant would be a very good addition to the Chicago White Sox.
Outside of a cup of coffee with the San Francisco Giants, Kris Bryant has played his entire MLB career with a team based in Chicago. The Chicago Cubs drafted him and did a great job developing him into the star that he is today. Now, it would be nice to see him play on the other side of town.
He knows what it is like to play in Chicago which is a start. The White Sox have money and playing time available for him. In addition, they are also an elite team so they would be giving him an opportunity to win. Those are all of the things that free agents want to hear when looking for a new home.
The White Sox would primarily use him as a right fielder but everybody knows that Bryant has become a star utility man. He can play every position on the diamond except pitcher and catcher. You’d probably keep him away from shortstop as well but he could if needed.
The White Sox landing Bryant would help them in so many ways. He is a very good player which would help them win a lot in the regular season. He would also bring a lot of postseason experience as he has gone very deep in the playoffs many times, including a World Series championship.
These moves would all be massive wins for the White Sox. They have a very good lineup as it is so adding one of these potential All-Stars would go a long way in helping them advance their organization. Winning now should be the biggest thing for this team and all three of these guys help with that.
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