3 offseason moves the White Sox must make after early playoff exit

2 of 4

Sep 6, 2020; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (23) is congratulated by catcher Yasmani Grandal (24) after hitting a home run against the Kansas City Royals during the seventh inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Let Edwin Encarnacion walk in free agency

The White Sox gave 37-year-old veteran slugger Edwin Encarnacion $12 mil this season to be the teams primary DH. And while he did provide 10 home runs his .627 OPS and .377 slugging were both career-lows. His 29.8 percent strikeout rate wasn’t great but what was more concerning was his walk rate falling to 8.8 percent – the lowest he’s posted since 2011.

Going in to his age-38 season it’s hard to justify paying Encarnacion another $12 mil on his club option to stick around. Of course, this is a career .260 hitter with over 400 home runs and a .846 OPS since 2005. He’s about as proven and consistent as a veteran hitter can be, but clearly the White Sox didn’t have much confidence in him to produce, limiting him two postseason at-bats.

The White Sox also have top prospect Andrew Vaughn, a 1B who projects as a .300 hitter with 30 home run power and great patience at the plate. The former No. 3 overall pick back in 2019 is projected to make the big league roster in 2020 and would provide the White Sox a batter who will take his walks – their 7.9 walk rate was the worst of any playoff team this season. If Encarnacion is willing to take less money to come back to the South-Side that may make him a more attractive hitter, but with his age and his lack of production this season (albeit small sample size) it makes more sense for Chicago to address the DH spot internally.

Home/MLB