Chicago White Sox: 2022 player grade for Josh Harrison

The Chicago White Sox signed Josh Harrison during the 2021-22 offseason in hopes that he would be good enough as the ninth-hitting second baseman for a playoff-bound team. He had his moments during the season but he simply wasn't good enough for a championship-caliber team.

Saying that signing him was a bad idea isn't meant to be disrespectful to him as a person or a player. He did some good things and brought a lot of energy to this White Sox team. He has a lot to give to a team that is looking to develop some young talent and needs a player like that.

For a team like the White Sox to sign him, it makes them look unserious about winning a championship. If they signed this version of Josh Harrison in 2018 or 2019, it would make a lot of sense. He'd be great in a role like this.

When you are looking for a "final piece" following a year like 2021, that wasn't it. He wasn't even good enough to steal the job from Leury Garcia while Tony La Russa was the manager.

Following the injury/trade of Nick Madrigal last season, they needed a replacement, and Harrison was the choice.

2022 Final Grade: C-

Josh Harrison was an okay player for the Chicago White Sox this year.

Josh Harrison gets a C- for his efforts. He might get a lower grade in a different situation but he brought life and a few good moments to a team that looked like they were having no fun on most nights.

In 119 games played this season, he had a 1.4 WAR (which isn't terrible for a player like this) because of his defense, slash of .256/.317/.370, 7 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 50 runs scored amongst other things.

Again, he doesn't deserve any hate because it isn't his fault that the White Sox are an unserious franchise. There are teams he can help in a lot of ways but you won't see a team like the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, or Cleveland Guardians making a signing like that.

The White Sox denied the team option to keep Harrison for 2023 so he is a free agent. They are going to be looking for someone to come in but nobody is confident that it won't be a cheap out option. It would be nice to see a Trea Turner-like signing but that is not going to happen.

Hopefully, Harrison goes to a situation now where he is able to thrive and get the most out of his skill sets at this point in his career.