Rick Hahn has made his strategy for attacking the offseason clear. Sit back and wait for free agents to sign so they can see what the trade market looks like when the dust settles. It is a very passive way to go about things for a team claiming to be in their contention window.

The White Sox have glaring holes on the roster. Banking on addressing those needs via trades is a horrible strategy for a team in the White Sox position. Even Rick Hahn admitted, “we are not driving the bus exactly.” 

The White Sox don’t have the farm system to trade for much impactful talent. If they want to add anyone of value, they have to deal from their major league roster. This is why trade talk has been circulating around Liam Hendriks. Rick Hahn’s comments, when asked about making a big trade, further enforce the idea a member of the White Sox core could be dealt. 

“A year ago, we were coming off a division championship,” the White Sox general manager said. “We were wildly prognosticated to win the division going away. So, a blockbuster, roster-shaking move was probably a little less on the agenda. 

“This year, I think we have to be open-minded, given the way we performed in ’22. Does it mean that’s what’s going to happen? Not necessarily, but we at least have to be open-minded to something like that.” 

The White Sox may not do anything. But the pressure is on the front office after a lackluster 2022 campaign. The thought of them heading into the new season with Mike Clevinger as their only addition would be hard to fathom. Especially after letting the face of the franchise, Jose Abreu, walk during free agency. Don’t be surprised if a big name gets dealt. 

Untouchable Player

One name the White Sox won’t be trading is Tim Anderson. The White Sox have been getting calls about their All-Star shortstop, but according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the White Sox have no intentions of trading Anderson. 

In a recent article on the Winter Meetings, Rosenthal reported that the White Sox are telling teams that Tim Anderson will not be moved this offseason. 

Anderson is only 29 years old and entering his prime. He became the first player in White Sox history to finish in the top five of three consecutive AL batting title races. He has hit above .300 in four straight seasons, including an MLB-leading .335 average. In 2020 he was named a Silver Slugger Award winning shortstop. The 2019 batting champion is coming off a down year that still saw him bat .301 in an injury-riddled season. 

He will only cost the White Sox $12.5 million in 2023 and $14 million in 2024, assuming the team picks up his club option. This news shows the White Sox are still trying to remain competitive. Hendriks’ name has been thrown around in trade rumors because the bullpen is an area of strength for the White Sox. 

The White Sox have no replacement for Anderson waiting in the wings. Their top infield prospect, Colson Montgomery, will begin next season in Double-A and will not be ready for a big league promotion any time soon. 

Dipping Into The Prospect Pool … For The MLB Roster

Montgomery is one of the few bright spots in an otherwise barren farm system. The other name of value is Oscar Colas. But Colas has a better chance of being the White Sox starting right fielder next season than he does being included in a trade package. 

 He has been name-dropped by Hahn on multiple occasions when asked about potential outfield additions. The White Sox general manager indirectly alluded to him again during the Winter Meetings. 

“There are a few guys who are on the precipice of contributing in ’23, and there’s others in there towards the top of our list who are a little further away, who we very much value because of how they slate into future rosters.” 

Colas is the No. 2 prospect in the White Sox organization and is cheap. It’s a perfect storm. To be fair, Colas has a ton of potential. He has a strong arm and the ability to hit for power and average.

Last season Colas batted .314 with 23 home runs between three teams in the minor leagues. He hit 14 of those home runs off Double-A pitching, which tends to have the most talented arms in the minor leagues. During his seven games in Triple-A, he impressed to the tune of .387 and four extra-base hits. He is already 24, so he is going to get called up sooner rather than later. Left-handed power is something the White Sox lack, so at the very least, Colas will help balance the lineup. 

While he could be a nice addition, expecting him to save the offense is unfair. He will be getting his first taste of major league action on a team with World Series expectations. 

That is a lot of pressure to put on a rookie. But if the White Sox can avoid dishing out money in free agency in favor of an internal option, you best believe they will. 

The Money Was Spent Poorly

That brings us to the main reason the White Sox are between a rock and a hard place this offseason. They are unwilling to spend any more money. Jerry Reinsdorf want’s a winner. But he will not dip into his fortune and spend absurd amounts to do whatever it takes like the Met’s owner Steve Cohen. The White Sox will spend money, but there is clearly a budget. 

Hahn had the now infamous quote, “the money will be spent.” It was. But the resources were allocated poorly. Yasmani Grandal was handed the richest contract in White Sox history. He is coming off the worse season of his career and has shown an inability to stay healthy.

Dallas Keuchel was $18 million to pitch on other teams in 2022. He got released after eight games for the White Sox but not before posting a 7.88 ERA in those starts. Joe Kelly received a two-year contract worth $17 million and posted a 6.08 ERA in 2022. 

The White Sox highest-paid position player during the 2022 offseason was Leury Garcia. Garcia, a career bench player, became a liability in the starting lineup. 

Money has been flushed down the toilet on underperforming players, and the result is a frustrated fan base and a roster primed to finish middle of the pack in the American League.