December 2nd, 2019, was the tender deadline date for MLB teams to decide if they will tender free agents facing arbitration in 2020. The White Sox chose to tender utility man Leury Garcia, C James McCann, RHP Evan Marshall, LHP Carlos Rodon, and RHP Alex Colome. Bringing back these 5 made a lot of sense. Now let’s take a dive into each one to explain how these players will help the Southsiders in 2020.
Leury Garcia, 28, will return as the most tenured player for the Pale Hose. Garcia filled a key hole in the outfield that was left open due to an injury plagued year for Jon Jay and lackluster performances from the likes of Adam Engel, Ryan Cordell and Charlie Tilson. Leury slashed last season .279/.310/.378 with 8 HRs and 40 RBIs in 140 games. Leury projects to play more of a bench utility role in 2020 as the Sox look to add OF depth to the roster and should have OF Luis Robert and 2B Nick Madrigal making their big league debuts shortly after opening day.
James McCann, 29, will return for his 2nd season for the White Sox with a 1 yr, $5.4 Million contract. The McCannon was the personal catcher for All-Star Lucas Giolito, helping guide him to a stellar campaign. McCann also had his best offensive year of his career and was awarded his 1st nomination as an All-Star in 2019. McCann performed with a .273/.328/.460 slash line, a .359 BABIP, and 109 wRC+. McCann projects to take a backseat to newly signed switch hitting C Yasmani Grandal and DH in 2020 along with the 2016 1st round draft pick Zack Collins.
Evan Marshall, 29, wasn’t on the opening day roster, but put together a solid campaign for the White Sox when he got the call up in early May. It took all the way til his 19th appearance for him to allow a single earned run. Evan finished the season with 50.2 IP, 2.49 ERA, 1.303 WHIP with 41 K over 55 appearances. Marshall projects to return to the role of 6th/7th inning pitcher at the back end of the pen.
Alex Colome, 30, was acquired last season via trade from the Seattle Mariners for C Omar Narvaez. Colome won the closer role out of spring and did farely well in high leverage situations. Alex hurled 61 IP, 2.80 ERA, 1.066 WHIP, 55Ks and was 30/33 in save opportunities over 62 appearances. The Horse will return to his usual closer role next season, but the only drawback was his 4.08 FIP which screams regression for 2020. Rick Hahn would be wise to bring in other relievers in from FA or to have some from in AAA ready just in case things go south.
Carlos Rodon, 26, was the White Sox’ 1st round pick back in 2014, but he won’t be ready til June/July coming off of Tommy John surgery. Rodon came into the season with some shoulder discomfort that he somewhat kept under wraps with the thought it would just go away. Alas, his season ended after 7 starts resulting and 34.2 IP, 5.19 ERA, 1.442 WHIP with 46 K. Rodon has had a number of arm injuries throughout his career, but always seemed to show flashes of a top of the rotation starter when healthy. So perhaps if the front office has enough pitching and he’s healthy, the Sox can try and muster up a trade as his control is up in 2022.
it was no surprised that the Sox brought back all 5 guys who will have some sort of a role for the squad in 2020. Obviously there is still a ton of work to do for Hahn and Co. to complete the roster in 2020.
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