(670 The Score) New White Sox infielder Nicky Lopez was in the middle of quite an important event when he learned he'd been traded from Atlanta to Chicago last week.
"I was at the rehearsal dinner for my wedding when I got the call that I had been traded,” Lopez said. "The call came Thursday, and I was married Friday. It was definitely a whirlwind and great timing, right?”
Lopez, 28, was one of the five players the White Sox received from the Braves in exchange for reliever Aaron Bummer. He hit .231 with one homer and 25 RBIs in 94 games split between the Royals and Braves in 2023. He’s a career .249 hitter with a .630 OPS in five MLB seasons.
A Naperville native, Lopez had an inkling he was going to be moved this offseason, and he was pleased to learn he’d be coming home.
"Did I know I was going to get traded? I knew the tender date was coming up, so I knew if I was going to get traded, it was going to be right around the exact time of the non-tender deadline,” Lopez said. "I got the call from the Braves that I was being traded. When they said the Chicago White Sox, I said, ‘great.’ If I had to go somewhere, why not go home? It’s been crazy, but I grew up watching the White Sox. I remember going to Game 2 of the World Series in 2005 when (the Paul) Konerko (grand slam) tied it up. We were sitting right in behind the bullpen where it landed. Then Scottie Pods hit the walk-off. So I remember all of it, and it's kind of full circle, which is really cool.”
Lopez is a candidate to be the White Sox’s starting shortstop when the 2024 season opens after the team declined Tim Anderson’s option and let him enter free agency. The White Sox haven’t committed to him being their everyday shortstop, but with 21-year-old shortstop Colson Montgomery – their top prospect – not quite ready for the big leagues yet, Lopez filling the gap would make sense.
After Lopez spoke Thursday, news later broke the White Sox had also reached a deal with shortstop Paul DeJong, giving them another option in their middle infield mix. For his part, Lopez stressed that he'll be ready to play shortstop, second base or third base.
“One thing I pride myself on is being able to play Gold Glove defense or above regular-caliber defense at short, second or third,” Lopez said. “To be able to know I can play any spot wherever they need me is something I take a lot of pride in. No, they didn't tell me where I will play, but being able to plug in at any spot I believe is very valuable to the team, especially a winning team. Let’s see where it goes. But I am very excited.”
Even though the White Sox are coming off a 101-loss season in 2023, Lopez is excited about their future.
“The day after I got married, I texted (White Sox general manager Chris Getz) and told him the division is wide open for anyone to take,” Lopez said. “The last four years playing against the Sox, I thought they could be a great team capable of playing gritty baseball each day. You want to have the mentality of playing hard once you step onto the field. I think that's an important characteristic to have. That is what this team must get back to. Not a lot of people have left. So in my mind, there is no reason we can't compete for the AL Central.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.