CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
  • Bears
  • Bulls
  • Blackhawks
  • Cubs
  • White Sox
  • Message Board
Navigation
  • About Us
  • Chicago Sports Podcasts
  • ChiCity+
  • Get In Touch
  • Home
  • Join Our Group
  • Newsletter
  • Our Writers
  • Privacy Policy
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
Facebook Twitter Instagram
Trending
  • Chicago Bulls showing interest in Mo Bamba per report
  • Chicago Bears are Vegas’ most popular 2022 NFL bet but for wrong reason
  • REPORT: Los Angeles Lakers targeting Coby White
  • Chicago Bears rookie projected by analyst to make 2022 defensive ‘All-Rookie’ squad
  • National analyst has Chicago Bears taking elite WR in 2023 draft with second pick
  • Chicago rumored as ideal big city for 1 of 8 NFL expansion teams
  • Dalen Terry honors pair of Chicago legends with his jersey number
  • Forget WR, Chicago Bears need to draft this unit in 2023 first round
Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
MESSAGE BOARD
  • Bears

    Chicago Bears are Vegas’ most popular 2022 NFL bet but for wrong reason

    June 30, 2022

    Chicago Bears rookie projected by analyst to make 2022 defensive ‘All-Rookie’ squad

    June 29, 2022

    National analyst has Chicago Bears taking elite WR in 2023 draft with second pick

    June 29, 2022

    Chicago rumored as ideal big city for 1 of 8 NFL expansion teams

    June 28, 2022

    Forget WR, Chicago Bears need to draft this unit in 2023 first round

    June 27, 2022
  • Bulls

    Chicago Bulls showing interest in Mo Bamba per report

    June 30, 2022

    REPORT: Los Angeles Lakers targeting Coby White

    June 29, 2022

    Dalen Terry honors pair of Chicago legends with his jersey number

    June 27, 2022

    Best Dalen Terry games

    June 26, 2022

    Dalen Terry landed exactly where he wanted with Chicago Bulls

    June 24, 2022
  • Blackhawks

    Chicago Blackhawks expected to hire Luke Richardson as head coach

    June 25, 2022

    Five critical Chicago Blackhawks RFA’s: Who Stays, Who Goes?

    June 13, 2022

    The 5 keys to the Chicago Blackhawks rebuild this offseason

    May 19, 2022

    Should the Chicago Blackhawks pursue Barry Trotz?

    May 12, 2022

    Should the Chicago Blackhawks trade Kane and Toews?

    April 15, 2022
  • Cubs

    Keegan Thompson and Justin Steele are important pieces for the Cubs rotation

    June 24, 2022

    Willson Contreras first among NL Catchers in All-Star voting

    June 21, 2022

    Christopher Morel bringing unique spark to the Cubs

    June 7, 2022

    Matt Swarmer turning heads for Chicago Cubs

    June 7, 2022

    Chicago Cubs reportedly interest top 2023 free agent shortstops

    June 5, 2022
  • White Sox

    Chicago White Sox trade targets – 3 outfield options

    June 23, 2022

    What should the White Sox do with Josh Harrison?

    June 23, 2022

    Exciting 22 year old Lenyn Sosa promoted by White Sox

    June 23, 2022

    Chicago White Sox Kopech limited in start vs Astros in 4-3 loss

    June 19, 2022

    Should Danny Mendick be the White Sox second baseman once Tim Anderson returns?

    June 17, 2022
  • Message Board
CHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – FansCHICITYSPORTS – Chicago Sports  Blog – News – Forum – Rumors – Fans
Forum
Home»WHITE SOX»White Sox short and long-term directions affected by free agency delay
WHITE SOX

White Sox short and long-term directions affected by free agency delay

Z PBy Z PFebruary 16, 20194 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Reddit Tumblr Email
manny machado
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

As spring training starts for the Chicago White Sox, the direction of the team’s future is in the hands of the league’s premier free agents.

Both Bryce Harper and Manny Machado remain free agents and are not expected to sign any time soon. With the White Sox currently in a rebuild, they will have the direction of their young talent affected if they sign either free-agent or neither.

General manager Rick Hahn has done a tremendous job the last several seasons revamping the team’s minor league system. The White Sox saw their farm system improve from one of the worse to one of the best in all of baseball within one year’s time because of Hahn.

Many of those prospects whether acquired via trade or draft will be making their way to the big leagues soon, but a log jam may ensue if either Machado or Harper are signed.

A Harper signing would create a massive block for the White Sox young outfielder prospects given the large depth they have at the position. With Eloy Jimenez expected to be called up in mid-April and the team still high on Cuban outfielder Luis Robert, signing Harper would give the team their starting outfield for several seasons. This would leave outfield prospects like Micker Adolfo, Luis Basabe, Luis Gonzalez, and Blake Rutherford with little playing time and expendable for trades.

Signing Machado wouldn’t affect the farm system as much as it would affect the roles of those on the current 25 man roster.

Machado has been adamant about playing shortstop which is already occupied by Tim Anderson. Anderson has improved significantly defensively at the position in the last two seasons. The rise of 2018 first round pick Nick Madrigal who can play either shortstop or second base further amplifies the issue. Although he can play both positions, he is better suited at second base due to his size. Playing second base would create an issue for Yoan Moncada and Carlos Sanchez in regards to playing time. If Machado plays at third and Madrigal is called up, it would leave someone without playing time at second.

The wait for Machado is the most costly situation for the team heading into spring training. If sign he would have to determine where he wants to play forcing either Anderson or Moncada to learn a new position. The longer it takes for Machado to sign, the less time each player has to learn a new position.

From a long-term standpoint, signing either free agent will allow the White Sox flexibility to trade their young talent for other needs. Players like 2017 first round pick Jake Burger and the other position prospects could be more expendable with Harper or Machado on the team long-term.

It’s a good issue to have as the 1990s Cleveland Indians had the same issue. The Indians were a perennial World Series contender each season because of their deep roster built by a quality farm system. They had so much talent on the roster that they traded players such as Ritchie Sexson, Jeremey Burnitz, and Brian Giles away to fill immediate needs on the roster. That is Hahn’s main goal for the White Sox farm system, but signing top-tier free agents do have an effect on that.

Spring training exhibition games will begin in one week which will be invaluable for all the White Sox young talent. If Machado and Harper remain unsigned, but with the team, at a later time it will create playing-time issues. Until either player potentially signs with the White Sox or someone else, the team can’t choose a direction either short-term or long-term.

For More Great Chicago Sports Content

Follow us on Twitter at @chicitysports23 for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Chicago sports news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE

1990s Cleveland Indians Bryce Harper Chicago White Sox Jake Burger Manny Machado Nick Madrigal rick hahn Tim Anderson Yoan Moncada
Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn WhatsApp Reddit Tumblr Email
Z P
  • Twitter

Chicago sports.

Related Posts

WHITE SOX June 23, 2022

Chicago White Sox trade targets – 3 outfield options

WHITE SOX June 23, 2022

What should the White Sox do with Josh Harrison?

WHITE SOX June 23, 2022

Exciting 22 year old Lenyn Sosa promoted by White Sox

WHITE SOX June 19, 2022

Chicago White Sox Kopech limited in start vs Astros in 4-3 loss

WHITE SOX June 17, 2022

Should Danny Mendick be the White Sox second baseman once Tim Anderson returns?

WHITE SOX June 15, 2022

Chicago White Sox earn a much-needed sweep against the Tigers

1 Comment

  1. Mark Ottenfeld on February 17, 2019 1:17 pm

    Lets stopped being chumped. These over payed prima donnas arent what we need. Seattle has a fine, young outfielder, Mitch Haniger, who would be a good addition to this young team. He has a little experience, apparently can play the game, shouldn’t be making ungodly money yet. We have a pretty stocked minor league system, and we also have a bargaining chip in Abreu who might bring us more. Of course, Seattle doesn’t have to agree, but I’d rather get excited for this than the beaten to death mamy/harper stories.

Leave A Reply

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube

Team Message Boards

Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube
  • Home
  • Message Board
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Our Writers
  • Want to Write for ChiCitySports?
© 2022 ChiCitySports. Designed by Dope Guys Who Run ChiCitySports.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.