Now comes the hard part for the White Sox.
They moved away from shortstop Tim Anderson earlier this month, declining to exercise his option for next season. Soon it will be time to replace him.
While top prospect Colson Montgomery was MVP of the recent Fall Stars Game, the 21-year-old has played only 51 games above Class A. He’ll be a buzz guy in spring training and might take over for a long run in the major leagues before the end of the 2024 season. But there’s no reason to take short cuts with his development on a team coming off a 101-loss season.
The White Sox have some internal options but no obvious bridge piece to get to Montgomery. It’s possible 35-year-old Elvis Andrus would be open to signing his third one-year contract, this time with the carrot of being able to return to shortstop. His veteran presence brings value but would new General Manager Chris Getz be better off taking a long look at ranked prospect Romy Gonzalez or Lenyn Sosa?
Both have gotten their feet wet during Anderson’s absences in 2022 and ’23 but Pedro Grifol and Tony La Russa always played Andrus in front of them. Neither Gonzalez or Sosa ever even got a turn as the primary shorstop at Triple-A Charlotte, with 31-year-old Erik Gonzalez the regular there last season.
MLB.com calls Gonzalez the No. 8 prospect in the thin White Sox farm system. He opened eyes with his play after signing for only $50,000 and was the Southern League’s youngest regular at the start of the 2022 season.
Rodriguez hit 21 homers last season between Birmingham and Charlotte. However, he’s viewed as more of a second baseman than shortstop and his .769 OPS is no guarantee of success.
Sosa got time at second base alongside Andrus last season but did nothing to help his cause. He has a .535 OPS in 63 major league games, generating – 1.3 WAR. Statcast ranks him as essentially a replacement level fielder but he has primary played shortstop in the minors.
It’s probably now or never if Getz wants to take a long look at either Sosa or Rodriguez. But this is also the season to sort through inexpensive options available as either minor-league free agents or Rule 5 selections. It shouldn’t be a surprise if the Sox front office has someone to audition rather than the internal options.
There are also major-league free agents to consider, possibly including a couple with ties to the franchise. Both Nicky Lopez and Adalberto Mondesi Jr. are Kansas City products who are well known by Getz and director of player personnel Gene Watson.
Lopez, who played for Naperville Central High, is a five-plus player who could be non-tendered by Atlanta at the Friday deadline. He would be an excellent option if his contract demands are higher than the Braves want to risk in arbitration. Mondesi Jr., who earned a combined 4.3 WAR in 2918 and ’19, hit free agency after injuries and the emergence of Bobby Witt Jr. made him an afterthought the last three seasons.
Montgomery has generated comparisons to Corey Seager with his build and raw power but was challenged in the Arizona Fall League. He hit .244 with a .715 OPS in 20 games for the Glendale Desert Dogs, suggesting he’s unlikely to win a spot out of spring training.
Anderson, who receives a $1 million buyout after his $14 million option was declined, has said he’s willing to move from shortstop to second base if it opens a door to a second chance. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale reported the Angels are among the teams with interest.
There are only 30 jobs for big-league shortstops. It’ll be interesting to see how the White Sox fill their opening.