3 players who could play second base for the White Sox in 2024
There's nothing against Elvis Andrus because his tenure with the Chicago White Sox, both offensively and defensively, was what a majority of people expected. Andrus was a great veteran presence who is, unfortunately, at the back end of his career.
The White Sox need to start looking at options that are going to lead through their play as well as their "clubhouse presence."
Having a vocal type of leader can lead to success for most organizations but when it comes to the White Sox, it's time for them to enhance the second baseman position for good or at least for an extended period of time.
Here are three options the Chicago White Sox can go to for the 2024 MLB season:
1. White Merrifield
The Chicago White Sox could consider Whit Merrifield this off-season.
Most White Sox fans have been disgusted by the amount of people in the organization who have been linked with the Kansas City Royals in the past and rightfully so. However, Whit Merrifield should be an exception.
The three-time all-star would be an excellent fit for the Chicago White Sox and there are multiple reasons why.
Merrifield's career slash line is a .284/.330/.750. Given the statistics, if the White Sox end up with interest in him, the organization knows they are getting a reasonably consistent bat along with a guy who can better balance a mediocre to below-average White Sox offense.
Merrifield can also provide great utility play defensively. He is a second baseman but he is always the guy to call on to play other positions when others can't go that day.
To summarize, he's a second baseman who can be used as a utility man when counted on and a productive one too, which hasn't been the case for previous White Sox utility players in the past.
Whit has a mutual option for 2024 but it is likely that he will become a free agent this off-season. The White Sox should consider him.
2. Jonathan India
The Chicago White Sox could use a player like Jonathan India next year.
The 2021 Rookie of the Year has had many up-and-down moments in his three-year major league campaign. His 2022 was to be forgotten and his 2023 numbers looked similar to what he did in his rookie season.
India has a lot of baseball left to play in his career and if the White Sox have any interest in him, the contract would most likely be pricey, at least when it comes to their budget versus the rest of the league.
India is an underrated defensive player and his bat has the potential to be all-star level. India has two seasons with 15 or more home runs and 60 or more runs batted in, and that's something the White Sox haven't gotten from the second base position in a very long time.
India is arbitration eligible in 2024 and won't be a true free agent until 2027. The White Sox would need to make a trade.
3. Colson Montgomery
Colson Montgomery could be used as a second baseman next year.
This solution may shock many of the White Sox fanbase but if times become desperate and the organization isn't interested in trading away certain players or spending money on the free agent market, it might be time to "let the kids play."
Montgomery has been place to place, all over the White Sox farm system, and whatever level he's at or wherever he's playing, he's been dominant consistently.
There is risk in this option without a doubt but if the White Sox fails yet again to play highly competitive baseball in 2024, they should simply take the hint and try to mature the prospects they plan to keep around in the future.
Montgomery is going to make an impact at some point in his career with the White Sox. It would be an excellent opportunity to let him come up and learn how the majors work so he can get more comfortable quickly. It's genuinely something to think about and also the least tasking financially.
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