This week, we’re profiling 10 of the biggest names on the free-agent market and taking a look at what kind of fits they are for the White Sox.
A week and a half ago, you probably would’ve laughed out loud at the very concept of Bryce Harper in a White Sox uniform, but last week’s GM Meetings kicked off with a report that the South Siders are interested in the services of the free-agent market’s biggest fish.
Harper’s expected to command one of the biggest contracts ever if not the biggest contract ever, and while other deep-pocketed clubs will surely be in the running, the White Sox have practically no long-term financial commitments, giving them the flexibility to be in on big-ticket items. And it sure seems like they have a willingness to do so.
While 2019 doesn’t figure to be a season in which the rebuilding White Sox are ready to contend for a championship, there’s no doubt that adding Harper would match up with their long-term plans. Harper figures to be under contract for several very expensive years, enough time to get the likes of Eloy Jimenez, Dylan Cease, Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal to the big leagues and start making the planned annual runs at a World Series title.
The key word there, however, is “planned,” and the White Sox biggest hurdle in their pitch to Harper figures to be that their success is merely on paper right now and a large amount of their young talent is still developing in the minor leagues. The future is bright, but it’s hardly guaranteed. Meanwhile, teams like the Cubs, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers and even the Philadelphia Phillies can pitch win-now rosters to go along with a monster contract.
Obviously Harper would be an upgrade to a team that lost 100 games last season and he’d slide into the middle of the lineup and most likely into right field, where only Avisail Garcia and his one year left of team control is planned at the moment. The White Sox have a lot of outfield depth in the minor leagues, but if you can sign Harper, you don’t worry about him blocking Micker Adolfo or Blake Rutherford. Suddenly, then, the outfield becomes a reservoir of minor league talent that could be dealt from in order to add other pieces to the big league team.
Is Harper a fit for the White Sox? Yeah, duh. He’s a fit for the White Sox and 29 other teams. He’s one of the best players in baseball. But being willing to offer a huge contract and convincing Harper to sign on the dotted line are two different things.
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MORE BRYCE HARPER NEWS
Editor's note: This week across the NBC Sports Regional Networks, we'll be taking an in-depth look at some of the top free agents in baseball. Monday is dedicated to Nationals slugger Bryce Harper.
- World Champion Red Sox not a part of Harper's free-agent journey
- Phillies could use Bryce Harper's personality just as much as his bat
- Why Bryce Harper sacrificed home runs to save his season
- Giants' call: Spend $40M on Harper or fill other needs
- Building an A's roster for less than Harper's projected salary