José Abreu, the Chicago White Sox first baseman since 2014, signed with the Houston Astros.
Second baseman Josh Harrison is a free agent after the Sox declined a workforce choice 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 watch 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. That future seems to be 2023 after Abreu left for Houston.
“We’ve made no secret of the fact we’re very bullish on Andrew Vaughn’s future,” Sox basic supervisor Rick Hahn mentioned throughout a video convention name on Nov. 29. And make no secret of the very fact we’ve requested a whole lot of this participant during the last couple years by way of his development and taking part in him out of place. And finally we predict we’re going to be stronger as a membership if we don’t have gamers taking part in out of place.”
Gavin Sheets, a pure first baseman who has spent most his time within the outfield, and catcher Yasmani Grandal may be within the combine.
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 area, 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 on Nov. 8 on the GM conferences in Las Vegas. “Obviously better bodily toll on you taking part in the outfield. He was a man over the course of the 12 months who performed by some leg points, in all probability considerably exacerbated by having him on the market within the outfield. But nothing that ought to linger into 2023.
“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.”
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 record.
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, not less than 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 — apart from the pandemic-shortened 2020 season — since arriving within the huge 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 might 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 workforce’s resolution to say no the membership choice 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 challenge grew to become slightly 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 usually, not tied to a sure place or potential want, Hahn mentioned the Sox are prone to be extra lively through 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