White Sox perfect replacement for Eloy Jimenez is still a free agent
The White Sox have a perfect replacement for Eloy Jimenez just waiting on the free agent market.
What would have been a fatal blow to any other team, the Chicago White Sox are in a position where losing their franchise star is a minor roadblock.
Assuming Eloy Jimenez comes back healthy after his pectoral injury, the Sox have a deep roster of talent to step up and fill in the gaps.
More specifically, they have room on that roster to add a star slugger who can serve as the perfect replacement for Jimenez as well as bolstering the lineup should Chicago fulfill its prophecy of a deep postseason run.
Figuring out how to replace Eloy Jimenez this season is easier said than done, however. The hot start of Yermin Mercedes has not changed the need for a full-time player in left field.
The White Sox have used several players in left so far and are likely considering all their options both within and outside of the organization.
Yasiel Puig should be one name atop their list.
MLB Rumors: Why hasn’t Yasiel Puig received any free agent offers?
There is one rightful and newsworthy reason why Puig is still a free agent. The 30-year-old is facing sexual assault allegations and an ESPN story on the situation explains that this is indeed a factor in why teams may be avoiding him right now, and rightfully so.
That is something to definitely keep an eye on as MLB continues to investigate the allegations.
If the situation is resolved, Puig remains a potential option for the White Sox. They can sign him on a cheap one-year deal and instantly add a veteran to the lineup who is also comfortable in the outfield.
Puig last played in 2019 with the Cleveland Indians and should be fresh after a year away from the game. He has a career slash line of .277/.348/.475 and has never posted a negative-WAR season since debuting in 2013.
Having a surplus of options is never a bad thing and adding Puig adds veteran talent to an already stacked lineup. He would not necessarily replace Jimenez, but would indeed be someone Tony La Russa could count on in an everyday role.
Puig is facing serious allegations. If he is cleared, he should be on the White Sox’s radar if he isn’t already.