White Sox Need To Get Defensive With Additions To Roster

Jose Abreu isn’t the reason the White Sox have been a poor defensive team, and it shouldn’t be assumed his departure will fix a pattern of defensive deficiencies that began back when the Gold Glove-winning Robin Ventura was their manager.

The Sox were 14h in the American League with -35 Defensive Runs Saved last season, per calculations by Fangraphs. From the eye test alone, it’s hard to imagine a worse unit but Kansas City somehow rated -37.

The South Siders need to do more than move Andrew Vaughn from a corner outfield spot to first base. If they are truly committed to overhauling their approach, they will put defense first with their remaining moves in the off-season.

For starters, they should build an outfield that utilizes wall-to-wall center fielders. There’s little a team can do to improve their fielding more quickly than moving good defensive center fielders to left and right field. These guys turn bloop hits into outs and allow singles, but not doubles, on liners into the gaps.

As the winter meetings continue in San Diego, the only sure thing about the Sox outfield is it will employ Luis Robert. That’s a good thing, as he is an excellent fielder, winning a Gold Glove in 2020 and achieving a career grade of +8 Defensive Runs Saved, despite an uncharacteristic -4 while playing through injuries last season.

General Manager Rick Hahn needs to add two more outfielders skilled enough to play center through free agency, trades or the Rule 5 draft. Then it’s up to rookie manager Pedro Grifol to find enough run production elsewhere to live with at least somewhat limited contributions from two of his regular outfielders.

The White Sox are rumored to have interest in all-or-nothing hitter Joey Gallo on the free-agent market. He’s been worth +43 DRS in his career, with a combined +27 for his work in right field over the last three seasons.

Jackie Bradley Jr. and Bradley Zimmer are less notable options. Bradley, who won a Gold Glove in 2019, was worth +7 last season while Zimmer delivered +6.

The trade market is another option, with the Royals’ Michael A. Taylor an ideal fit in the second season of a two-year contract that will pay him $4.5 million next season. The Twins’ Max Kepler is more of a corner outfielder but earns high marks (+8 in ’22, +47 career).

Barring a dramatic trade that creates an opening, the White Sox have only one infield vacancy, at second base. You wonder if Kansas City would make defensive whiz Nicky Lopez available, as he is getting squeezed by young infielders with better track records as hitters.

The Rule 5 draft on Thursday is an opportunity to target players who can fill needs. Don’t be surprised if the White Sox add a strong defensive outfielder. The list of those available includes the Mets’ Jake Mangum, the Dodgers’ Jose Ramos, the Rays’ Kameron Misner, the Astros’ Corey Julks and the Pirates’ Matt Gorski.

Other highly regarded fielders available include infielders Cam Devanney (Brewers) and Logan Davidson (A’s), and utility man/catcher Pedro Pages (Cardinals).

It’s tough for fans to embrace glove-first players who consistently make outs. But the best teams have balance, which has been lacking at Guaranteed Rate Field. The decision to let Abreu reach free agency suggests the White Sox are serious about improving their defense but there’s more work to be done.