Breaking down the five most likely landing spots for Anthony Rendon in free agency

4. Chicago White Sox

In 2019, the Minnesota Twins were the surprise playoff team to come out of the AL Central. The White Sox have to believe they can be the next rebuilding team to pull off the feat in 2020. An exciting young core has materialized on the South Side and the White Sox are nearly ready to start winning again.

Last winter, the White Sox were in the hunt to sign infielder Manny Machado, with the thinking being that signing him to a ten-year deal would help flip the switch from rebuilding to contending. If not in 2019, shortly thereafter. Machado ultimately chose a different rebuilding team looking to do the same thing in San Diego, but the White Sox should consider trying the same thing this winter.

In Chicago, Rendon would be joining an exciting young core led by Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez. There’s more talent on the way, with Luis Robert tearing up the minor leagues and Michael Kopech set to return from Tommy John in 2020. In addition to Robert and Kopech, the White Sox have two more MLB top-50 prospects.

The White Sox will have to sell Rendon on the idea of leading a young, rapidly-maturing team. Keeping veteran first baseman Jose Abreu on a qualifying offer should go a long way to convincing Rendon the White Sox are serious about winning right away. This team is going to be good very soon, and Rendon can jump on and make it his own.