The White Sox added to their offseason moves after signing former Yankee, Edwin Encarnacion, to a one-year deal worth $12 million. The contract also includes a $12 million club option for 2021.
The 37-year-old designated hitter/outfielder was ranked 25th out of 50 free agents this offseason by CBS Sports. He’ll most likely continue to DH at this point in his career and will probably be a back-up first baseman to Jose Abreu. He joins a club that finished third place in the AL Central division.
In 109 games played, Encarnacion finished 2019 with an batting average of .244 with 34 homeruns and 86 RBIs. He looks to bolster the White Sox lineup whose designated hitters only accounted for a pathetic 17 homeruns in 550 plate appearances last season. The former Yankee is the only player in the MLB with 30 plus homeruns in the last eight seasons, according to MLB Stats. The White Sox are counting on home run help after being ranked 25th in baseball with only 182 last year.
The White Sox are determined to make the playoffs for the first time since 2008 when they lost in the ALDS to Tampa Bay. The club has already signed Abreu to a three-year extension, and added right-fielder Nomar Mazara through a trade with the Texas Rangers. They also signed catcher Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73 million deal, so their lineup has definitely improved.
To improve their pitching rotation the club signed two starting pitchers, Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez. Keuchel signed a three-year $55 million deal and Gonzalez comes to Chicago on a one-year deal worth $5 million.
The former Cy Young winner is coming off a short season after remaining a free agent until June when the Braves signed him to a one-year deal worth $13 million. Last season he had 19 starts with a 3.75 ERA, but only 91 strikeouts. On the bright side he only allowed 115 hits; the second lowest amount in his career.
Gonzalez had a short season with only 17 starts, but recorded a 3.50 ERA and 78 strikeouts.
Hopefully these moves pan out and allow the White Sox to have a winning record for the first time in seven years.
