An Under The Radar, Left-Handed Slugger The White Sox Should Consider Signing
White Sox GM Rick Hahn has made it pretty clear what’s on his shopping list this offseason. Two starting pitchers, a right fielder and a designated hitter. Ideally, Hahn wants a power-hitting, left-handed bat to give the White Sox a threat from that side of the plate in 2020.
However, when you look at the free agents available there aren’t many who are both left-handed hitters and can play the outfield. There’s Corey Dickerson and Kole Calhoun, but here’s a solution for the White Sox to fill a couple holes on their roster by signing a different left-handed hitter.
This isn’t going to be the most exciting signing, but it could allow the White Sox to aim higher in free agency to address right field. Hahn wants a left-handed slugger and someone who can actually produce from the DH spot. So, how about Eric Thames?
Beginning his MLB career with little success on the Blue Jays and Mariners, Thames spent time in the minors during the 2013 season before he left to play in Korea. In his three years playing in the KBO, Thames rejuvenated his career, smashing 124 home runs and driving in 382 runs, while hitting .349. Thames signed a three-year deal with the Brewers after 2016 and although the KBO numbers weren’t going to continue he still managed to be a good power threat in the middle of their order.
Thames hit 31 home runs in 2017 with the Brewers, and although he only hit for a .247 batting average, his 75 walks boosted his OBP to .359, while ending the year with an .877 OPS. The following season he was limited to only 96 games after having surgery on his left thumb, but still hit 16 home runs and had a .784 OPS in 247 at-bats.
In 2019, Thames was healthy for the entire season, but wasn’t an every-day starter for the Brewers. Yet, that didn’t stop Thames from returning to his 2017 production, slashing .247/.346/.505, with 25 home runs this past season.
Thames is 33-years-old and would be an ideal candidate for a two-year deal to become the White Sox DH. He also provides some flexibility on defense, being able to fill in at first base, left field and right field.
So, the thinking is, sign Thames to a short-term deal, have him slotted as your power-hitting lefty bat and because his market won’t be high, then go out and also sign one of the top right fielders available to upgrade the rest of your lineup.
Boom. You’re welcome, Hahn.
Thoughts, White Sox fans? Love it, hate it, kind of like it, think it’s dumb?