The White Sox are in settlement with infielder Josh Rojas on a one-year deal, in accordance with a report from Scott Merkin of MLB.com. The monetary phrases of the deal are usually not but identified.
Rojas, 31 in June, was non-tendered by the Mariners again in November. It was an end result few would have anticipated early within the 2024 season. Rojas had been a key piece of the commerce that despatched nearer Paul Sewald to Arizona on the 2023 commerce deadline and had hit a decent .272/.321/.400 (105 wRC+) down the stretch with the Mariners. He adopted that up with a torrid begin to the 2024 marketing campaign as effectively, hitting .318/.408/.530 (175 wRC+) via the tip of April. Sadly for Rojas, the wheels got here off fully from there. The remainder of the way in which, Rojas hit a paltry .208/.285/.301 (75 wRC+), together with a brutal .184/.265/.272 (62 wRC+) slash line over the season’s last two months whereas the Mariners slipped out of the playoff image.
That powerful offensive season was sufficient for the Mariners to determine in opposition to tendering him a contract for the 2025 season MLBTR contributor Matt Swartz projected would’ve earned Rojas $4.3MM. Even so, a weak free agent marketplace for infielders made Rojas instantly one of many extra intriguing lower-level free agent choices accessible on this winter’s market. Whereas Rojas has usually been a mean to barely below-average hitter within the majors since turning into a full-time participant in Arizona again in 2021, he’s an versatile fielder who has posted glorious defensive numbers in every of the previous two seasons. For the reason that begin of the 2023 marketing campaign, Rojas has +8 Outs Above Common at second base and +6 OAA at third base. Defensive Runs Saved is barely much less bullish on Rojas however nonetheless charges him as an above common fielder general, with +2 DRS at second and +5 at third during the last two years. Rojas additionally has expertise at shortstop and within the outfield corners on the large league stage, although with out the identical spectacular metrics backing his efficiency up.
That positional versatility, plus protection, and historical past as a league-average hitter was sufficient to make Rojas a wanted position participant for a handful of groups this winter, together with the Cubs. Whereas the north aspect’s reportedly “critical” curiosity in Rojas seemingly concerned him taking a part-time position backing up Nico Hoerner and prime prospect Matt Shaw at second and third base, he ought to have a clearer path to common reps on the south aspect of city. The membership presently initiatives to make the most of some mixture of Miguel Vargas, Lenyn Sosa, Jacob Amaya, and Brooks Baldwin between shortstop, second base, and third base in 2025. Whereas Vargas appears ticketed for on a regular basis begins as a current top-100 prospect who was the centerpiece of the return Chicago acquired for Michael Kopech, Tommy Pham, and Erick Fedde final summer time, Rojas ought to be capable to seize common reps at whichever of second or third base Vargas doesn’t find yourself taking part in.
That must be significantly true in opposition to right-handed pitching, as Rojas sports activities a big platoon cut up and hit simply .133/.224/.133 in opposition to southpaws final 12 months. It’s doable the White Sox will afford him the chance to show he can hit lefties whereas within the thick of a rebuild, although maybe they’ll merely platoon him with a right-handed infielder like Sosa as a way to maximize his numbers forward of what’s positive to be one other fireplace sale on the commerce deadline this 12 months. For the White Sox, the addition of Rojas gives some stability to an infield combine that was in determined want of consideration this winter and a possible midseason commerce chip. In the meantime, Rojas can have the chance to be a daily with the membership and will play his means into a task with a contender down the stretch.
With Rojas off the market, a handful of attention-grabbing infielders stay accessible in free company for groups in want of assistance on the grime. Whit Merrifield, Donovan Solano, and Cavan Biggio are among the many gamers accessible who might present versatility in a part-time or bench position, whereas Jorge Polanco, Paul DeJong, and Jose Iglesias are amongst a handful of potential regulars accessible within the decrease tiers of free company. One different wild card on the infield market is Hyeseong Kim, who was posted by the KBO’s Kiwoom Heroes final month and is on the market for MLB golf equipment to signal till tomorrow afternoon.
