José Abreu, the Chicago White Sox first baseman since 2014, is a free agent.
Second baseman Josh Harrison can be a free agent after the Sox declined a group possibility for 2023.
Third baseman Yoán Moncada had a down 2022 season affected by accidents. And a finger damage prematurely ended shortstop Tim Anderson’s season.
What’s forward for the Sox infield? Here are three questions to observe this offseason.
1. What’s the plan at first base?
Andrew Vaughn spent most of his first two seasons within the outfield. His future is at first base.
Whether the longer term means 2023 stays to be seen.
“Vaughn is a first baseman; that’s how he was drafted,” Sox common supervisor Rick Hahn mentioned this month on the GM conferences in Las Vegas when requested the place he ideally envisions Vaughn. “Doesn’t imply he’s going to be our first baseman subsequent 12 months, not essentially.
“But in the end, his best defensive position is first base and … whenever the time comes when he settles into that position, you’re asking a lot less of him and perhaps that even increases his offensive production as a result.”
Vaughn slashed .271/.321/.429 in 2022, main the Sox with 17 homers and 76 RBIs in 134 video games. He performed 45 video games in proper discipline, 44 in left, 29 at designated hitter, 23 at first base and two at second base.
After hitting .301 within the first half, Vaughn batted .234 after the All-Star break.
“I think he was worn down,” Hahn mentioned. “Obviously higher bodily toll on you taking part in the outfield. He was a man over the course of the 12 months who performed by means of some leg points, most likely considerably exacerbated by having him on the market within the outfield. But nothing that ought to linger into 2023.
“And we’ll see come March or April what the roster looks like in the end. But we’ve asked a lot of that kid in the last couple years and he’s performed quite well all things considered — his lack of experience, his age (24) and the fact we were playing him out of position.”
As far as what it means for Abreu, Hahn mentioned: “It’s good to have a man you consider in in its place (in Vaughn), nevertheless it doesn’t take away from what José has completed for us over time and his significance within the clubhouse. And if he’s not with us subsequent 12 months, he’ll be missed.
“It’s good that we’re insulated from a production standpoint against that departure. But certainly never would disrespect the importance he’s meant to this organization, and even if he winds up elsewhere, the fondness that we should look back on his time with us by saying, ‘Oh, it’s good we got this guy in his place.’”
2. What’s subsequent for Yoán Moncada and Tim Anderson after a disjointed 2022 season?
Moncada suffered a proper indirect pressure on the final day of spring coaching and started the season on the injured listing.
It was the beginning of a difficult season for the third baseman, who slashed .212/.273/.353 with 12 homers and 51 RBIs in 104 video games.
Moncada additionally missed time in late June with a proper hamstring pressure and in late August due to a left hamstring pressure. He by no means acquired right into a rhythm offensively.
“I think Yoán would describe (2022) as disappointing,” Hahn mentioned. “He didn’t fairly obtain, a minimum of offensively, on the degree that we’ve grown accustomed to with him.
“Defensively, he was pretty much a stalwart over there and continues to show himself to be one of the better defensive third basemen in the league. But it’s a matter of getting back on track offensively.”
After setting a profession excessive with 84 walks in 2021, Moncada had simply 32 in 2022.
“(Manager) Pedro (Grifol) made reference of getting him back to being an 80-walk guy would certainly serve him well,” Hahn mentioned. “There’s certain things within his swing and setup, etc., that we have identified and hopefully be able to implement some changes to unlock that or get him back to who he was.”
Anderson had the manufacturing, hitting .301 and being named an All-Star starter. But his 79 video games had been the fewest in his profession — aside from the pandemic-shortened 2020 season — since arriving within the massive leagues in 2016.
He suffered a sagittal band tear in his left center finger in early August and missed the rest of the season.
“It’s unfortunate we missed him for as long as we did,” Hahn mentioned. “Certainly the finger factor was a freak prevalence which, knock on wooden, one thing like that we don’t have to fret about going ahead.
“He’s such an integral part to what we do offensively. You see it when he’s not around. You notice the lower level of energy and activity on the bases.”
The Sox signed Elvis Andrus quickly after Anderson’s damage, and the veteran hit .271 in 43 video games whereas filling in.
“Elvis came in and was an absolute pro, traditionally described as a ‘baseball player,’” Hahn mentioned. “It was enjoyable to have that factor round and it’s one that may serve us effectively to have extra guys replicating that.
“But Tim’s an integral part when we’re winning. He sets the tone at the top of the lineup, and when he’s not there, he’s missed.”
3. What are some choices at second base?
After a gradual begin, Harrison completed with a .256 common. Hahn mentioned the group’s resolution to say no the membership possibility on the veteran “comes down to resource allocation, and we do have some internal options (at second base) and perhaps there’s a way to balance the lineup a little better at that spot. We’ll see.”
Internally, the Sox have Romy Gonzalez, Leury García and Lenyn Sosa. Gonzalez, 26, slashed .238/.257/.352 with two homers and 11 RBIs in 32 video games. Sosa, 22, was 4-for-35 (.114) with three runs in 11 video games. García slashed .210/.233/.267 in 97 video games.
“Leury’s best role was in that super-utility role, where he moves around and fills in from time to time as needed,” Hahn mentioned. “Obviously over time final 12 months, the hip, again situation turned a bit of an excessive amount of and he was compromised offensively.
“Having him in the right role has value. Obviously he needs to be healthy in order to do it. But it’s a matter of getting him back to where he was a few years back when he was known as a super-utility, fill-in guy.”
Speaking typically, not tied to a sure place or potential want, Hahn mentioned the Sox are prone to be extra energetic by way of commerce than free company this offseason. In any case, using FanGraphs WAR throughout 2021-22, MLB.com listed Jean Segura (5.1) and Adam Frazier (4.7) as the highest two free-agent second basemen.
“(Second base) is an area we feel we’ll spend some time this offseason if there is a way to get better,” Hahn mentioned.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com