Monday, Rick Hahn and the White Sox settled with catcher Tyler Flowers on a 1 year/$950,000 deal. The deal seems to facilitate yet another year of debate between Flowers and prospect Josh Phegley. Flowers was anointed to be the catcher of the future when he was acquired by the Sox from the Atlanta Braves in the Javier Vazquez deal. Phegley was brought up this year as Flowers was struggling. Phegley was raking at Triple-A Charlotte and began to accumulate a cult following among White Sox fans to be called up and given an opportunity. However, Phegley, like Flowers fell flat on his face, and the White Sox catcher competition became a battle of whoever had the “hot hand”.
This offseason White Sox fans were really hoping that the White Sox would make a play for one of either Boston’s Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Toronto’s J.P. Arencebia. While this is still a possibility for Rick Hahn to get done it is alarming that Hahn has both catchers that were considered the “starters” back in place for the 2014 season. White Sox fans made there voices heard last night regarding their anger for settling with Flowers.
https://twitter.com/DewsSox79/status/407749362253459456
Love that a party breaks out here when the White Sox sign a lousy catcher. Can't wait for the season …
— Larrold of Boa (@Larry_Boa) December 3, 2013
My reaction to @NotRickHahn after the re-signing of Flowers. pic.twitter.com/695fJ2GYPb
— Sox Thoughts (@SoxThoughts) December 3, 2013
Although fans should be worried that the White Sox could go into the 2014 season with the same two catchers that produced such terrible results last season is understandable, however the White Sox would still be wrong to not give these guys a second chance considering that they’re both still young and have a lot to work on and learn. In addition, signing Flowers and still having Phegley does not guarantee that the White Sox will start them next season. Saltalamacchia and Arencebia and still available and I expect Rick Hahn to at least kick the tires on them before settling with the less than dynamic duo in 2014.
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