MLB free agency 2017: 5 potential teams for Wilson Ramos

Oct 7, 2016; Washington, DC, USA; Washington Nationals catcher Wilson Ramos (40) throws out a ceremonial first pitch before game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports /

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Sep 25, 2016; Cleveland, OH, USA; Chicago White Sox catcher Omar Narvaez (38) hits an infield single during the seventh inning against the Cleveland Indians at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /

1. Chicago White Sox

The White Sox are a team at a crossroads this winter. Rick Renteria takes the reins of a team that has not made the playoffs since 2008 and has endured four losing seasons in a row. To say that the White Sox have underperformed the collective talent assembled on their roster would be an understatement.

For the Pale Hose, the 2017 offseason can go one of two ways. Trade chips like Chris Sale or Jose Quintana can be dealt away for elite prospects, or the front office can attempt to make small upgrades to the roster. For two straight offseasons, the approach has been to spend or trade to improve the roster, but the results on the field continue to disappoint. Before the 2015 season, the Sox signed Jeff Samardzija, Melky Cabrera, and David Roberston. Last year, the big move was a trade for Todd Frazier. None of that has mattered.

The pieces remain in place for Chicago to contend in the relatively weak AL Central. The Kansas City Royals appear to be taking a step back, and the Detroit Tigers are selling off major pieces and finally committing to a rebuild. The White Sox can sneak in behind the Cleveland Indians if they play their cards right. Upgrades are needed in right field, at DH, and behind the plate, for starters. Making a run at Yoenis Cespedes, Jose Bautista, or Edwin Encarnacion appears out of the question for the White Sox, but spending $15-17 million a year for a competent backstop might be in the budget. Ramos would be a significant upgrade for a team that got a pitiful .637 OPS from its catchers in 2016.

Of course, that all changes if the front office is blown away by an offer for Sale or Quintana and elects to go in the direction of a more complete rebuild.

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