Jul 25, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant (17) bats against the Arizona Diamondbacks during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox are rumored to be diving into the outfield free agent pool once the Major League Baseball lockout ends.
The Sox have internal options to address this position of need. Adam Engel, Andrew Vaughn, and Gavin Sheets can fill that outfield spot if needed. Prospects Micker Adolfo and Yoelqui Cespedes also provide depth in right.
The problem is those five options do not exactly put the Chicago White Sox over the edge enough to win the World Series.
Engel had healthy in 2021, Vaughn and Sheets have limited experience in right, and it is unknown if they can play good defense. Adolfo projects to be a better trade piece to get pitching help than be the player that puts the Chicago White Sox over the top.
Cespedes needs some at-bats in the minors before he is ready to make a meaningful contribution.
That is why the Chicago White Sox might look to four available free agents who can not only make the necessary impact to help the Sox not only repeat as AL Central Division champions but help win the World Series.
The Sox could be looking at a big name Chicago is familiar with. The Athletic’s Jim Bowden is predicting the Chicago White Sox to be active in the Kris Bryant sweepstakes.
When the lockout finally ends watch for the #Rockies #Mariners and #WhiteSox to be heavily involved in the free agent outfield market for: Kris Bryant, Nick Castellanos, Michael Conforto and Seiya Suzuki.
— Jim Bowden? (@JimBowdenGM) February 25, 2022
Bowden is the former Cincinnati Reds and Washington Nationals general manager so he still maintains connections in baseball’s inner circle.
This is really the first time the Southsiders have been linked to Bryant. Prior to the lockout, Bryant was mostly linked to the New York Mets and Seattle Mariners.
Mets, Angels and Padres are among many teams to have shown interest in star free agent Kris Bryant, whose marketing is now percolating, Mariners, Phillies, Rockies, Astros among others who have checked in.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) December 2, 2021
If the Chicago White Sox signed Bryant, it would signal to the fan base and the other 29 teams that they are serious about winning the World Series in 2022.