(670 The Score) After signing a one-year, $1.75-million deal with the White Sox, shortstop Paul DeJong is focused on earning the starting role for a team that has already had a fair deal of roster turnover this offseason.
DeJong is the second candidate to start at shortstop whom the White Sox added in November, as they previously acquired middle infielder Nicky Lopez in a trade with the Braves. DeJong had a conversation with White Sox manager Pedro Grifol recently, and he was happy to jump at the chance to play on the South Side.
“I had a good talk with Pedro, and he is excited to have me over here,” DeJong said. “I am excited to join his team and play for him. He seems like he has the right idea where he wants to take this team. He wants more fundamental baseball played. We have a good core of guys that can contribute greatly to this team. Pedro said he expects me to add some defensive stability for him, also veteran leadership as far as taking care of the young guys, things like better communication and analyzing certain plays and techniques. He wants me to be a leader on the field. Now I must go to spring training and earn my position and solidify myself as an everyday player.”
DeJong, 30, is coming off a rough 2023 season in which he hit .207 with 14 homers, 38 RBIs and a .612 OPS in 112 games split between the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Giants. After struggling in St. Louis, DeJong was traded to Toronto, which then designated him for assignment after he went 3-for-44 in 13 games for the Blue Jays.
It was a topsy-turvy season for DeJong, to say the least.
“I was having a great time at the beginning of the year in St.
Louis,” DeJong said. “I had anticipated being there the whole season. I did my best to help the team, but obviously the results didn't match up with the expectations of the Cardinals. It was a whirlwind for me the rest of the season. Leaving there, I learned a lot about myself after leaving St. Louis. Baseball is baseball. I am excited to be with this organization to start the season in 2024.”
This offseason, DeJong is focused on cutting down his strikeout rate. He struck out 121 times in 400 plate appearances in 2023, a 30.3 strikeout rate. DeJong is a career .229 hitter with a .716 OPS in seven MLB seasons.
"I will be working out here in Jupiter (Florida) and focus on the contact rate while putting the ball in play, especially hitting it hard to the opposite field,” DeJong said. “When I get pull-happy, that is when I swing and miss more. I will focus on hitting hard line drives up the middle and the other way. My natural swing (pull) will then open up on breaking balls and other pitches. This a good group of guys working at this facility down here. I will be doing all my training here.”
DeJong is a native of Antioch, which is a little more than an hour north of Guaranteed Rate Field. That played a role in his decision to join the White Sox, as did the big league contract after a turbulent 2023 season.
“What attracted me to the White Sox was growing up in Antioch and getting the major league deal, which helped me decide to come here,” DeJong said. “I have a lot of family connections to the city. My great grandparents were from the South Side originally (South Deering). There were just a lot of good reasons to join the White Sox, and I am very grateful for this opportunity.”
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.