With Harrison Bader off the board and free-agent options dwindling, Chicago faces mounting pressure to define its post–Luis Robert Jr. outfield strategy.
Another outfield option for the Chicago White Sox is off the board.
After the team traded Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets last week, the fanbase quickly shifted its attention to potential replacements in the outfield. Not necessarily 1-for-1 replacements. Chicago received Luisangel Acuña in the deal, who could make sense as a centerfield option if the goal is to get him consistent at-bats and allow him time to develop.
But it’s obvious the White Sox still need to upgrade the outfield.
In its current form, this outfield has a legitimate case for being the worst in baseball. Andrew Benintendi stands alone as the only proven big leaguer, and even his defense is trending in the wrong direction. The rest of the group is built around speed-and-defense options like Derek Hill, paired with high-variance reclamation projects whose upside far outweighs their actual MLB track records—Jarred Kelenic, Dustin Harris, Everson Pereira, Tristan Peters, and the like.
An upgrade is needed, even those who endorsed the Luis Robert Jr. trade can admit that.
The options got even thinner on Monday, when free-agent center fielder Harrison Bader agreed to a two-year, $20 million contract with the San Francisco Giants.
Bader is coming off the best offensive season of his career, hitting 17 home runs with a .796 OPS while continuing to provide elite defense in center field. He won a Gold Glove in 2021 with St. Louis and has contributed to multiple playoff teams over the years.
There’s no question Bader brings something to the table. But paying $10 million annually for a player coming off a season in which he significantly outperformed his career norms at the plate is a questionable bet. Buying low is advisable. Paying a premium for a career year is not.
For that reason—combined with the fact that right field is the bigger hole—Bader was never my preferred target. Still, he was a comforting fallback option. I certainly wouldn’t have complained if the White Sox decided to spend the money and get it done.
I’d imagine most White Sox fans would agree.
With Bader headed to San Francisco, the White Sox are left with fewer and fewer options in free agency.
My favorite remaining choice is still Austin Hays. The 30-year-old hit 15 home runs with a .768 OPS for the Cincinnati Reds last season. He’s a serviceable defender, but more importantly, he brings a veteran approach at the plate and consistent offensive production.
Hays hasn’t posted an OPS below .699 in the last seven seasons, dating back to his age-23 campaign with the Baltimore Orioles. He regularly slugs well over .400 and owns a career OPS of .748.
When I hear GM Chris Getz talk about hunting “mature bats” this offseason—and when I think about who could offer lineup protection for Chicago’s young hitters—I think of a player like Hays.
And the White Sox may be able to land him for $5–6 million.
Beyond that, who really moves the needle?
I like the offensive upside that comes with Michael Conforto, but that’s a pretty severe risk. If Conforto doesn’t return to form, he becomes a detriment to the lineup.
But is Randal Grichuk really a better option? Is Jesse Winker? What about bringing back Mike Tauchman? That felt like a much better idea as a placeholder when Robert was still on the roster than it does now, with the White Sox potentially looking to add what could very well be the best outfielder on the team.
I advocated for Max Kepler. His power and strong arm would have been welcome additions—right up until he was hit with an 80-game PED suspension.
My point is this: the White Sox need to act quickly. The viable veteran options are dropping like flies, and before long, Chicago will be forced to either pivot to the trade market or sign another underwhelming player—one that gives fans no choice but to once again question the merits of the Robert Jr. trade.
I don’t hate the White Sox moving on from Robert Jr. if there’s a clear plan in place. That plan remains to be seen. And with every signing that comes off the board, my questions about what Chicago intends to do in the outfield only grow louder.