The White Sox are reportedly in settlement with free agent infielder Nick Senzel on a significant league contract. Senzel, a consumer of the Boras Company, was launched by the Nationals final week. Chicago might want to open house on the energetic and 40-man rosters as soon as the transfer is finalized, which could not occur till after the All-Star Break.
As MLB’s clearest rebuilding staff, the Sox are a smart match for Senzel. No staff has gotten much less from its third basemen this yr. By 371 plate appearances, Sox third basemen are hitting .206/.246/.315 with six residence runs and a 4.6% stroll price. That’s partially as a result of Yoán Moncada has been on the injured listing for the reason that second week of the season. But even with Moncada on a minor league rehab stint and nearing a return, there’s ample alternative for Senzel across the Chicago infield.
The Sox have turned to Nicky Lopez, Paul DeJong and Lenyn Sosa as their main choices alongside first baseman Andrew Vaughn. DeJong has popped 16 homers and would definitely be dealt if the Sox can drum up any stage of commerce curiosity over the subsequent two weeks. Sosa and Lopez have been effectively below-average hitters.
DeJong and Moncada are impending free brokers. (The latter has a $25MM membership choice that definitely isn’t getting exercised.) Lopez could be due a elevate on this yr’s $4.3MM wage in his closing yr of arbitration, so he may very well be a non-tender candidate. Chicago’s infield might look fairly a bit totally different subsequent yr.
Senzel is a protracted shot to emerge as a key piece himself, however there’s minimal threat for Chicago in having a look on the former #2 general choose. The one-time prime prospect hasn’t met expectations on both facet of the ball over his five-plus MLB seasons. He’s a profession .235/.302/.368 hitter in simply over 1600 massive league plate appearances. Most of that got here in one of many sport’s most favorable residence hitting environments in Cincinnati’s Nice American Ball Park.
Accidents maybe performed some position in diminishing Senzel’s manufacturing. He has by no means topped 420 plate appearances in a season and battled knee and toe points throughout his time with the Reds. Cincinnati additionally bounced him across the diamond with out a lot success in making an attempt to broaden his defensive versatility.
After the Reds non-tendered Senzel final winter, he landed with the Nationals on a $2MM free agent deal. Washington moved him again to his customary third base place within the hope {that a} extra steady defensive setup might enable him to unlock a few of his offensive upside. That’s not how issues performed out. Senzel hit .209/.303/.359 with below-average defensive grades over 64 video games. Washington determined to maneuver on and switch third base over to rookie Trey Lipscomb.
The Nationals are on the hook for almost all of Senzel’s contract. The White Sox will solely pay him the prorated portion of the $740K minimal for any time he spends within the massive leagues (which comes out of Washington’s obligations). Senzel surpassed the five-year service threshold earlier this season. Meaning he can now not be despatched to the minor leagues with out his consent. He could be eligible for arbitration for the 2025 marketing campaign if he performs effectively sufficient to carry a roster spot down the stretch.
Jon Heyman of the New York Submit first reported Senzel was signing with the White Sox. James Fegan of Sox Machine reported it was an enormous league deal.
Picture courtesy of USA At present Sports activities.
