(670 The Score) The White Sox have a clear view of where they need to improve after an 81-81 campaign in 2022 that they found unacceptable. They ranked 19th in MLB in runs per game and had a poor defense, and they need to get better in each of those areas.
On several occasions, general manager Rick Hahn has noted that the trade market could be the key avenue for the White Sox to improve this offseason. A player they have their eye on is Athletics catcher Sean Murphy, who will almost certainly be traded this offseason, sources said.
Murphy, 28, won a Gold Glove in 2021 and was a finalist for the honor in 2022. He has good power for a catcher, with 18 homers and a .759 OPS in 148 games this past season. The White Sox and a half-dozen other teams already inquired about trading for Murphy at the GM Meetings, sources said. He's under team control through 2025.
Ideally, the White Sox want a more balanced lineup, and they have several ways to accomplish that beyond hoping for bounce-back seasons from third baseman Yoan Moncada and catcher Yasmani Grandal, a pair of switch-hitters who struggled in 2022. With AJ Pollock declining his player option for 2023, Jose Abreu set to depart in free agency and Andrew Vaughn in line to shift from the outfield to first base, the White Sox have voids to fill at their corner outfield spots.
They could fill their hole in right field internally by promoting 24-year-old prospect Oscar Colas, a lefty power bat who hit .314 with 23 homers and an .895 OPS in 117 games split across three levels in the minor leagues in 2022.
The White Sox could also look to free agency as well. Outfielder Michael Brantley has long been on the White Sox front office’s radar and is a free agent. Due to a torn labrum, he missed the second half of the season and the playoffs as his Astros won the World Series. Brantley, 35, hit .288 with a .785 OPS in 64 games in 2022, and if he’s deemed healthy, he has the solid bat and leadership that could help the White Sox.
Also available in free agency is 29-year-old outfielder Brandon Nimmo, who hit .274 with 16 homers, 64 RBIs and an .800 OPS in 151 games for the Mets this past season. He played center field for the Mets but would fit at a corner outfield spot with the White Sox, who have Luis Robert in center field.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
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