Chicago wishes they could go back in time and make three offseason decisions

A Chicago White Sox hat and glove are pictured on the steps of the dugout.

A Chicago White Sox hat and glove may be seen on the dugout steps during a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners.

It’s still early, but the Chicago White Sox appear to be regretting their offseason moves.

The Chicago White Sox won the American League Central in 2021 and are likely the division’s best team moving into 2022. Last year’s early exit from the playoffs made the White Sox management office want to improve the team this summer.

Nobody hits 1.000 in baseball, and Chicago is no exception. What decisions do you think executive vice president Ken Williams, general manager Rick Hahn, and the rest of the White Sox front office would make differently if they could?

1. The White Sox’s lack of a second baseman will come back to bite them.

Cesar Hernandez was released by the Chicago White Sox during the winter, and after batting just.232 and producing a meager.608 OPS the previous season, it was the appropriate decision. The White Sox, on the other hand, did not improve their position during the offseason.

Yes, Leury Garcia has signed a three-year contract deal with the Chicago Cubs, and the long-time utility player can play second base. However, removing Garcia from that job had a knock-on effect, and the team’s bench is now a little thin.

Josh Harrison was signed throughout the offseason and will give some depth, but his finest days are behind him as a former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder. At 34 years old, Harrison is barely more than a spot starter.

Donovan Solano would have been a smart choice for the Chicago Cubs. Solano, a left-handed batter, inked a one-year, $4.5 million contract with the Cincinnati Reds this offseason. Fans on the south side are hoping that the White Sox’s lack of depth at second base does not come back to harm them this season.

It’s still early, but the Chicago White Sox appear to be regretting their offseason moves.

The Chicago White Sox won the American League Central in 2021 and are likely the division’s best team moving into 2022. Last year’s early exit from the playoffs made the White Sox management office want to improve the team this summer.

Nobody hits 1.000 in baseball, and Chicago is no exception. What decisions do you think executive vice president Ken Williams, general manager Rick Hahn, and the rest of the White Sox front office would make differently if they could?

Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Chicago White Sox pitches.

 CHICAGO – OCTOBER 10: Craig Kimbrel #46 of the Chicago White Sox pitches.

A Chicago White Sox hat and glove may be seen on the dugout steps during a game between the Chicago White Sox and the Seattle Mariners.

Although it is still early, the Chicago White Sox appear to be kicking themselves for their offseason choices.

The Chicago White Sox won the American League Central League in 2021 and are expected to be the best team in the division in 2022. The White Sox’s administration wanted to enhance the squad this summer after an early departure from the playoffs last year.

In baseball, nobody hits 1.000, and Chicago is no exception. If you could go back in time, what decisions do you believe executive vice president Ken Williams, general manager Rick Hahn, and the rest of the White Sox front office would have made differently?

1. The White Sox’s lack of a second baseman will cost them in the long run.

Cesar Hernandez was dismissed by the Chicago White Sox over the winter, and it was the right decision after batting.232 and earning a meager.608 OPS the previous season. During the offseason, the White Sox, on the other hand, did not strengthen their position.

Yes, the Chicago Cubs have signed Leury Garcia to a three-year contract, and the long-time utility player can play second base. However, Garcia’s removal from that position had an unintended consequence, and the team’s bench is now a little thin.

Josh Harrison was signed throughout the summer and will provide some depth, but his best days as a former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder are behind him. At 34 years old, Harrison is little more than a spot starter.

For the Chicago Cubs, Donovan Solano would have been an excellent choice. The Cincinnati Reds signed Solano, a left-handed batter, to a one-year, $4.5 million contract this offseason. Fans on the south side are hopeful that the White Sox’s lack of depth at second base does not come back to harm them this season.

Although it is still early, the Chicago White Sox appear to be kicking themselves for their offseason choices.

The Chicago White Sox won the American League Central League in 2021 and are expected to be the best team in the division in 2022. It was the White Sox’s goal to make the team better this summer, after they were knocked out of the playoffs early last year.

In baseball, nobody hits 1.000, and Chicago is no exception. If you could go back in time, what decisions do you believe executive vice president Ken Williams, general manager Rick Hahn, and the rest of the White Sox front office would have made differently?

Cesar Hernandez was dismissed by the Chicago White Sox over the winter, and it was the right decision after batting.232 and earning a meager.608 OPS the previous season. During the offseason, the White Sox, on the other hand, did not strengthen their position.

Yes, the Chicago Cubs have signed Leury Garcia to a three-year contract, and the long-time utility player can play second base. However, Garcia’s removal from that position had an unintended consequence, and the team’s bench is now a little thin.

Josh Harrison was signed throughout the summer and will provide some depth, but his best days as a former Pittsburgh Pirates infielder are behind him. At 34 years old, Harrison is little more than a spot starter.

For the Chicago Cubs, Donovan Solano would have been an excellent choice. The Cincinnati Reds signed Solano, a left-handed batter, to a one-year, $4.5 million contract this offseason. Fans on the south side are hopeful that the White Sox’s lack of depth at second base does not come back to harm them this season.

Cesar Hernandez was dismissed by the Chicago White Sox over the winter, and it was the right decision after batting.232 and earning a meager.608 OPS the previous season. During the offseason, the White Sox, on the other hand, did not strengthen their position.

2. The White Sox may decide to reverse the Craig Kimbrel deal

The trade made sense given the depth of the Chicago White Sox bullpen. After losing longtime reliever Kenley Jansen, the Los Angeles Dodgers needed a closer, and the Chicago Cubs needed a right fielder. In exchange, the ChiSox received AJ Pollock.

Both teams were trading from one strength to the other to address a weakness. With Liam Hendricks and the offseason additions of Kendall Graveman and Joe Kelly, having Craig Kimbrel in the bullpen was a bit excessive.

However, having that three-headed monster late in games would have made Chicago’s bullpen one of the league’s best. The White Sox still have a strong relief corps, but with the way bullpens are used these days, you can never have too many top-tier relievers.

Pollock is a good addition, but there were better free agent options available (Nick Castellanos, Michael Conforto, and so on). We’ll see if this is a trade that the White Sox wish they could undo as the season progresses.

Craig Kimbrel was not the reliever the Chicago White Sox expected him to be during his time with the team, posting a 5.09 ERA in his time with the South Siders. After putting up ridiculous numbers with the Chicago Cubs in 2021, you’d think he’d return to form.


Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs to first base.

 PHILADELPHIA, PA – APRIL 22: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies runs to first base against the Milwaukee Brewers at Citizens Bank Park on April 22, 2022 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Milwaukee Brewers 4-2.

3. The White Sox were unable to secure significant free-agent additions.

Good pitching, according to the ancient adage, always beats good hitting. That may have been true, but the Chicago White Sox were in desperate need of another big bat. Instead, the White Sox focused their efforts on top-tier relievers while ignoring the hitting side of the equation.

AJ Pollock was chosen by the Chicago Cubs as their right fielder. Okay, but this offseason, there were several excellent hitters available. A big-time bat like Nick Castellanos would have shone for the ChiSox, but Michael Conforto springs to mind.

Castellanos instead agreed to a five-year, $100 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies. Kye Schwarber, who signed with Philadelphia as well, was also a possibility. Then there was the outfield quartet from Atlanta (Jorge Soler, Eddie Rosario, and Joc Pederson).

The White Sox, on the other hand, should have targeted Castellanos as a free agent this winter. However, Chicago should have pursued shortstop Trevor Story when he signed with Philadelphia. On the other hand, Story signed with the Red Sox and is now playing second base in Boston.

With hindsight being 20/20, the Chicago front staff will learn whether they did enough to position the team for success in 2022 as the season progresses. However, these actions, or the lack thereof, could cost the White Sox a chance to win the division this season.