According to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY, the White Sox are interested in free agent outfielders Alex Gordon and Yoenis Cespedes, but aren’t willing to go above three-years in a contract with either.
Gordon, who turns 32 in February, reportedly told the Royals they have “no chance” at signing him based on their four-year offer at $12-13 million per year. If that report is true, then that gives the White Sox an idea as to how realistic it is that they could sign him. If they were able to sign him, he wouldn’t cause the White Sox to forfeit their first-round pick as it is protected. Gordon, en route to helping the Royals win the World Series in 2015, hit .271/.377/.432 with 13 home runs and 48 RBI in 422 plate appearances while playing superb defense in left field.
Cespedes, 30, wouldn’t have cost the White Sox their first round pick if it weren’t protected as he was traded during the season, making him ineligible to receive a qualifying offer. The slugger hit a cool .291/.328/.542 between the Tigers and Mets. He went on a tear after joining the Mets, blasting 17 home runs in the span of 31 games between August 12 and September 14, helping push his new club into the post-season for the first time since 2006. Cespedes, due to his age, could command a contract greater both in length and total value than Gordon.
