The Chicago White Sox have signed both Derek Holland and Geovany Soto this offseason — niether of which won’t turn any heads; however, they will help fill holes on the roster. In Holland’s case, he could even be a trade asset at the deadline.
In Soto’s situation, he was brought in to help mentor a young pitching rotation. He doesn’t make the White Sox an immediate playoff contender, but he can help the White Sox pitching staff grow during this rebuild.
Recently the White Sox struck again in free agency. According to Matt Eddy of Baseball America, the White Sox have signed former Philadelpa Phillies third baseman/outfielder Cody Asche.
#WhiteSox sign 26-year-old LF Cody Asche to minor league deal. #Phillies non-tendered in December. Also played 3B in past.
— Matt Eddy (@MattEddyBA) January 6, 2017
Asche has been in MLB for the past four seasons, playing in 371 games, all with the Phillies, hitting .240 with 31 home runs and 125 RBIs.
Asche has played both third base and outfield during his time in Philly, which in interesting to note when you consider Todd Frazier’s name being continuously mentioned in trade rumors. If the slugger is moved, Asche could be the team’s starting third baseman in 2017.
The former Philly has shined at times, hitting double-digit home runs in 2014 and 2015; however as the Phillies rebuild, the team apparently didn’t have room on their roster.
Much like Soto, Asche was signed to a minor league contract. However with the White Sox likely to move most of their MLB roster, he should have no problem making the 25-man roster out of camp.
The Asche signing marks another under-the-radar addition by the White Sox and while he isn’t going to be an All-Star, he has the potential to be the starting third baseman in 2017.
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