The White Sox and free agent outfielder Jon Jay have reportedly agreed to a deal. If he passes his physical, the CAA client will receive $4MM on a one-year term.
Jay, 33, would seem to represent a solid veteran addition to an outfield unit that is quite light on experience. The South Siders have already made multiple short-term additions even while pursuing bigger fish.
A contact-oriented, left-handed hitter, Jay has posted an exactly league-average 100 OPS+ output at the plate over the course of nine MLB seasons. Of course, that overall mark has suffered over the past four seasons, over which Jay has mustered only a .272/.340/.351 slash (86 OPS+) — a significant dip in comparison to his prior levels of productivity.
It certainly does not hurt that Jay has ample experience in center field — an area of need for the Sox. He only lined up there for 223 innings last year, but has spent the bulk of his career up the middle.
All things considered, the veteran ballplayer profiles more as a second-division regular or as a platoon asset for a contending team. That’s no knock on Jay, who is a steady performer. But there’s virtually no pop in his bat, with a lifetime .093 isolated power mark. And his typically strong on-base abilities haven’t been quite as reliable of late, with sub-.340 OBP figures in three of the past four seasons.
Jay has also typically been more productive against right-handed pitching, though not dramatically so. He could conceivably pair with the right-handed-hitting Adam Engel up the middle in Chicago. It’s also possible Jay could spend some or most of his time in a corner spot. The club’s remaining offseason moves will no doubt dictate the ultimate alignment.
As Rosenthal notes, the potential addition of Jay represents another eyebrow-raising move from the Chicago organization. Jay and the recently acquired Yonder Alonso train in the offseason with superstar free agent Manny Machado, who is a prime target of the White Sox.
Ken Rosenthal and Robert Murray of The Athletic (Twitter link) reported that the sides were in serious talks. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported (Twitter links) that the deal was done and included the terms.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
Transparent
Must be the back up plan for missing out on Harper. The funny thing is, is that they will probably put up similar WAR with Harper being so inconsistent.
@ HardWorkingAmerican;
I’ve liked the Nats for years. Some very good ballplayers – this coming year some very exciting young guys.
For years I tried to like Harper. An extremely talented athlete. But like Grady Sizemore before him – a guy that does not get how to play baseball; how to do things on the field every game to help your team win; and most importantly – how to read a game, see the openings and execute.
Rizzo is solid. But management continuously overrules him – on managers and on Harper. I was looking forward to seeing the Nationals play without Harper in 2019. It seems obvious that with the senior owner negotiating with Boras behind Rizzo’s back, Harper will be returning in 2019 (and beyond). Between his me-first style of play and that unstable, ever-experimenting manager, the Nationals will continue to be reflective of the area they represent – elite, egotistical, arrogant, disrespectful of professional norms, playing politics, hungering to be celebrities, and wasting incredible amounts of money to get 2nd-tier results……but not caring because they and everyone they like is getting rich.
Grady Sizemore. Dang. It’s almost as if that guy never even existed.
Good analysis Samuel.
Are we really turning a Jon Jay thread into one about Bryce Harper. Give us all a break-for five minutes. Seriously.
As for this being an “eyebrow raising” move by the Sox to get Jon Jay’s friend to come to the Sox, that’s absurd. Do you know how many players work out together in the off-season, are extra friendly and still play on separate teams? A ton.
Since I write about this for a living, and am generally a curmudgeon, I’m plenty skeptical. Still, you can’t just look past the fact that they’ve now added both Alonso and Jay, both of whom seem to have pretty deep roots with Machado. Players are people and teams know that. The White Sox probably figured they’d be glad to have both of those players regardless, but it had to have had some role in their thought process.
If jay and Alonso increases your odds of getting Machado it’s probably worth it. They owe the two of them a total of 12 or 13 million over one year. if It doesn’t work out they got two decent regulars on ST deals. If Machado is thinking long term he shouldn’t be concerned by that because they’ll likely both be gone after next year.
unstable, never experimenting?
There’s more at play here than just brother-in-law Yonder Alonso and now Jon Jay. White Sox catcher Wellington Castillo is a great friend of Machado and a former teammate of his with the Orioles. He has been in Machado’s ear since last winter when the White Sox were pursuing Machado in a trade even before he became a free agent this offseason.
Does anybody think it is a mere coincidence that the White Sox have also added three other significant Dominicans this winter in SP Ivan Nova and relievers Alex Colome and Kelvin Herrera? Do you not believe that Dominican Eloy Jimenez was not put front and center as the most important elite prospect who will be debut this April and be aside Machado in the middle of the White Sox batting order for at least the next 6-7 years if he chose to sign with team. The White Sox have additional Dominicans and a strong representation of Cuban players on their roster including Alonso, Jose Abreu and Yoan Moncada. Even SP Carlos Rodon is of Cuban ancestry. It was also no coincidence that manager Rick Renteria, like Machado an American born citizen with a hispanic heritage, was also part of the sit-down the organization had with Machado when he made his FA tour before the holidays.
There are too many coincidences here to just scoff at. Additionally, the White Sox are looking for a huge star going forward as they transcend into a perennial contender and continue to compete with their cross town rivals who are splitting away from their TV partnership following the 2019 season. It’s no coincidence that Machado is their prime target right now, especially since they have been engaging with and advertising in the hispanic communities in Chicago including those on the North Side of town. This is not just about adding a great player. It is also about marketing and becoming relevant again in the city of Chicago.
@Aaron: A little scrutiny is in order here:
First graph: your setup.
Second graph: something about Dominicans and Cubans, potential teammates of Machado, plus something about a manager “of Hispanic heritage” and “American born” who sat in on meetings with Machado personally. (No manager, independent of heritage, would ever do this, right?)
Third graph: a semi-conclusion with some solid points.
It all feels conspiratorial.
Aaron, excellent analysis my friend. I think people are starting to wake up and take the Sox seriously regarding Machado. The Sox aren’t Orioles; they’re a far more aggressive organization. Couple that with exciting young talent to build around Machado.
Finally, the White Sox will accept him as he is. I don’t see that happening with the Yankees or Phills.
Only reason I doubt these moves have much to do with Machado is longevity of Manny’s final deal. Manny will be around far longer than these two players put together.
What are you talking about? Sizemore was incredible.
Just always hurt.. you know, from flying around in the outfield breaking bones for his team.
To imply that a player will go to a team just because they have a lot of latin players is racist. Could you imagine if a team was signing all the white players it could this offseason in hopes of getting Harper?
“Players are people…”
People in general are greedy and selfish….so no dice IMO
That is a borderline racist comment. As if machado only wants to play with people from his country of origin. It’s pretty sad if you think that is actually true.
Jeff, let’s just say Machado gets a 10 year deal. What does Jay being on the White Sox have anything to do with him for the last 9 years of the contract? Jay, more than likely, won’t be playing for the White Sox past 2019. After all, he’s soon to be 34 and this will be his 6th team in 4 years. Machado would have to be the biggest fool to sign with the Chisox just because of these guys being with him. He’ll be awfully lonely in the near future.
Chicks;
It’s not racism, for heaven’s sake.
NOT hiring them due to race would be racism.
This is about the comfort factor.
PS – Chicks also dig graves.
Samuel, you may not be aware of this, but ownership groups are ALWAYS involved in 9-didget deals, no exceptions. Some are just more public than others. What you’re hearing doesn’t mean Rizzo is being made redundant by anyone.
daved, most teams don’t retain the same players for 10 years. Regardless of where he goes, the people around him will change year in and year out. Having 1-3 years with people close to you very well could be the difference-maker if the dollars are the same as a competitor.
But the odds of him getting a contract without an opt-out or three are probably slim to none, so it’s feasible that he could walk much sooner than you would think.
Thank you canocorn. At least someone understands what racism is.
Dude. You should start a blog. I’d follow you. Excellent writing.
dimitrios in la: I made note of Rick Renteria because he was the featured name put out there in reports surrounding the meeting with Machado. This was for two reasons, his background as an hispanic manager and the fact that he would need to clear the air with Machado in regards to the hustling issue, something that Renteria famously demands from all of his players.
This was not much different from the reports that surfaced out of New York when Machado visited there later in the week. The name that was prominently mentioned in attending was Carlos Beltran who the Yankees had just hired as a special assistant to GM Brian Cashman. A mere coincidence that a noted hispanic player turned front office assistant was there? I think not.
You might also recall that when the White Sox met up with Bryce Harper at his Las Vegas home prior to the winter meetings there was one name that was publicized as part of the White Sox contingent: HOF lefty slugger Jim Thome who is also a special assistant to GM Rick Hahn. That was hardly a coincidence either. Thome was a huge part of their sales pitch, actually being the last great lefty slugger the White Sox have had in recent memory, selling Harper on becoming the next great one on the South Side. From subsequent reports, Thome and the White Sox hit a HR in impressing Harper that day. Whether or not that will result in an ultimate deal is still in question but at least the White Sox still seem to be a player for Harper into January.
“Jay has mustered only a .272/.340/.351 slash (86 OPS+).”
That’s bad? Geez.
Probably referring to the slug%
Never been his game.
Which is why he’s been below league average of late
He was ~14% above league average, then was ~14% below league average. Seems fair to suggest that the first half of his career went better than the latter half at the plate.
Ya, it kind of is when compared to an average starter.
Below .700 ops is not good.
A singles hitter who doesn’t run well or play stellar defense anymore. That is a below average slash line. A guy like Jay has his uses but he’s a singles hitter who doesn’t draw a ton of walks either.
86 OPS+ means, yes, he’s bad. 14% worse at the plate than the average major league player. Doesn’t walk, doesn’t hit for power, doesn’t have any speed. He can handle center-field in the sense that he’s not embarassing out there and that keeps him around, but he’s a fifth outfielder.
Bounce back candidate. Yankees
They should just hire Machado’s whole family and all of his buddies.
The White Sox announced tonight that they’re moving the franchise to Miami. When told there was already a Major League franchise in Miami, White Sox owner Jerry Reinsdorf scoffed, “No, there isn’t.”
I root for both teams in question but that was still great, Coast.
Only to get a crappier sTadium or fleece MLB or the ghetto they are in.
Will end up with 500 AB at leadoff for another pitiful CWS squad. Kenny Williams, smh
Last good lead off man Cubs had
Their leadoff guys, combined, had solid numbers
Kenny Williams is not the GM of the White Sox. In other news, the sky is blue. Sometimes.
Also, the Sox will not be pitiful this year. I think they should sign keuchel and they are legitimately a contender.
Provided they also land at least one of Machado and Harper.
Agreed Aaron. Have to go after Keuchel if they sign Machado and/or Harper.
Trim;
Keuchel acquisition could well turn every fifth game from a probable loss to a probable win.
Wrong link for the Twitter link
Thanks, fixed.
Thanks
Unless Machado is signing a 1-year contract, does getting to play with Jon Jay and Yonder Alonso for a season make that big of a difference — at least more than securing the highest-possible contract?
Agree, think it would only matter all else equal. Same money, same other preferences, etc.
If the pitch is, “sign with us. We’ll be really good in a year or two with our prospects.” And he goes, “but what about next year?” I think saying even though they probably won’t be good you can play with your buddies is better than nothing.
Makes no difference at all. Silly of Rosenthal to have implied it.
There’s no way for you or any of us to know if it doesn’t make a difference. He’s a human being and if the money is equal he may prefer playing w his 2 friends. Even if it’s a ST pact for the 2 of them it could be enough to sway him.
JJB;
Don’t be surprised if CWS offer Jay (et. al.) a role in the organization after his playing days.
Wait, I thought Machado’s high school teacher met a guy on a plane who did plumbing for a company that makes the fertilizer for a lawn care company that did the yard of a guy who visited Miami on a vacation so Manny will sifn in Korea where the airplane tickets were printed.
Yes, I ran that together on purpose..
Wow!!! That’s all I can say to that
Wrigley, you got it just about right!
Hmmm, I think I did read this on Bleacher Report as well, so I think there’s something to it.
They might train with them next off season too, but probably not during the season.
This is how slow the offseason is right now
The Miami boys. Alonso, Jay on the Sox. Maybe followed by Grandal??
Maybe the ultimate Miami boy follows in Machado.
Grandal does make sense.
Hope they don’t he sucks only good defensive player
This means no Harper! Heard it here first!!!11
Jon Jay or Bryce Harper? White Sox have some decisions to make.
Yes, if Bryce Harper was actually a candidate to play CF, which he isn’t. If Jon Jay were to sign he would become the White Sox primary starter in CF with elite glove Adam Engel starting most of the other games versus LHP. Engel would also be the White Sox late game defensive replacement in LF or CF when they enjoyed a late lead.
All the Jay signing might do is to make an A.J. Pollock deal less likely, although the latter could still become a plan “B” option in the OF if Harper signs elsewhere.
Woosh, right over your head. That was a joke.
No stymeedone, quite the opposite my dude.
If the CWS are serious about contending then giving the majority of CF PAs to Jay is a bad idea. the guy doesn’t really create many runs and his defense is just average in center. He doesn’t steal many bases and even in his best season he scored 75 runs in 628 PAs. No power at all, doesn’t walk much. He’s a backup, and I don’t think Pollock is the answer either, because he also doesn’t walk and has played exactly one full season in his career. I don’t know what center-field options are out there – Engel can’t hit at all but Jay isn’t the answer.
Jay is a quality bench player. He will be a placeholder in the lineup.
Jon Jay was signed to a one year contract for four reasons:
1-Luis Robert is the White Sox future centerfielder and could be ready as soon as 2020.
2-The White Sox have a clear need for an upgrade in CF, especially one with an offensive skill set that the White Sox currently lack: A hitter who can make regular contact and not strike out so much. As a left-handed hitter, Jay automatically becomes the White Sox regular in CF, in a likely straight platoon with weak right-handed hitting Adam Engel.
3-The White Sox can also use a leadoff hitter in 2019 until Robert or Nick Madrigal debut, the latter being an advanced college bat who is also expected to debut some time around the 2020 season. Jon Jay fits the description of a #1 hitter better than any other player on their current roster.
4-Jon Jay becomes yet another piece that could help the team in their pursuit of Manny Machado.
Aaron;
#3 (above) is huge. Takes tons of pressure off the youngsters as they find their way to comfort zones. Moncada was damaged by being asked to lead off in ‘18.
Engel actually posted less worse numbers against RHP last season. He’s more likely to become the fourth outfielder.
But signing Jay doesn’t mean Chicago won’t be in the market for another significant outfield bat. For all we know, he could be a stopgap for Jimenez and get flipped at the deadline.
LOL-Now all the White Sox need to do is get Cubs CF Albert Almora’s blessing and Manny Machado is theirs! I thing Machado would love to play with his North Side “cousin” more than with anyone else but just living in the same city, as they did growing up in Miami, might be enough for now.
WS
mustered only a .272/.340/.351 slash. keep these stats in mind when you see another article that says a respectable .238/.330/.345
It’s all context dependent. In this case, I was comparing it to the first half of his career. Of course, any triple-slash can look different depending upon park effects. Position matters. And it may be more or less appropriate to use a given description depending upon the player’s other contributions.
In any event … Jay’s output over the past four years is certainly respectable for a center field-capable, part-time player. I never said otherwise. It’s also not markedly different from the line you provided, which would describe a very similarly productive player who walks more but hits for a lower average.
All said, I’m frankly not sure what the complaint is.
His complaint is that he doesn’t understand context, position scarcity, or expectations of part time vs full time player. Your article was fine Jeff.
wasn’t calling out the writer, just the descriptive words used in front of slash lines, sometimes.
a TERRIBLE .346/.380/.402
a GROIN-GRABBINGLY GOOD .198/.316/.403
You mind if I borrow “groin-grabbingly good”?
Seeing that in an article would probably make my day
As long as it’s consensual Jeff. We don’t want any #MeToo shenanigans going on here.
as long as you don’t grab it for your own.
Lot of money for a below-average OF in a transparent attempt to land a big fish. And do they really think he’ll say no to the huge money of the Phillies or the chance for rings within the next three years in NY to play with his best friend for one year and brother-in-law for two? I mean, Ohtani surprised a lot of people by not going to NYY, but it seems Machado wants a bunch of money and would love to play for the Yankees. Haven’t heard much about him saying how great it’d be to play with his buddies, even though it means losing for the next 2 years, at least.
Yes 4 million is a lot for a team with a 45 million payroll….
It surprised few. Due to logistics, Japanese players tend to prefer the west coast.
Man there are a lot of salty fans on here haha.
Haha, I just saw the perfect tweet from a Sox fan “No matter how thirsty the Sox get, Manny will STILL not sign with them, leaving them with a bunch of bums that further hinder the development of their prospects, the FO continues to be the joke of MLB”.
Does it really matter? They’re going to have more money available than anyone for the next couple years. They can sign Arenado next year or Trout 2021. Theres no way those guys stay or take extensions. Division is garbage too.
Jay blocks who? Alonso blocks who? Seems a bit ignorant and more so hot takeish and uniformed. There haven’t been any moves they made in their “thirst” that plays any part in their impact prospects being blocked or hindered unless one holds substantial false hope that guys have suddenly bucked the major question marks surrounding their entire milb career, which they haven’t. I don’t know in all honesty that there are many guys on this roster that are more than just comp parts in the next winning White Sox’s team. I mean does Moncada figure it out? Does Palka evolve as a hitter sufficiently to where he covers his defensive deficiencies and becomes a good enough DH? Nobody is truly blocking Jimenez or Robert or even to that matter Madrigal. The WS just aren’t very good in general, so adding pieces to a very bad offensive team that features AAAA guys with a tool or two doesn’t appear to be the worst idea. Unless of course “thirst” of course involves a extension of Alonso or Jay for obscene money and years. Maybe just maybe the Sox tweet uncovered was more so a troll or didn’t really have a good grasp on the White Sox.
Sounds like another Cubs fan without a clue. Out of the 14 position prospects in the organization’s top 30, only 2 will likely start the season above AA (Eloy and Zavala). Nobody worthwhile is being blocked by these moves.
Priggs;
Nailed it!
When the time comes for Bryzzo to eat his words, I’ll provide the knife and fork. And a bottle of Pepto, … he’s gonna need it.
It’s the opposite. Bringing in veterans takes pressure off the young hitters and pitchers that are still trying to get settled in, and with any luck, once those players (those that stick) are settled in, they’ll be the ones taking pressure off the next waive of prospects.
Regardless of contention, a large part of this is about conditioning. And it’s not like this is uncommon practice.
Another team out of the Harper sweepstakes
Liked Jon Jay and his attitude last year with the D-Backs. Just a good guy and decent player.
Too bad attitude can’t run, hit or throw.
LOL every time Chicago fans read, “White Sox come to terms with” their hearts leap thinking it’s Machado
LOL every time NY fans read an article on MLBTR, their hearts leap thinking it’s all about da Yankees.
That bout sums it up. As an O’s fan, I have a ton of Yankees friends over the years but Yankees fans’ already poor reputation has taken a further hit via this blog.
Yankees fans lack both objectivity and baseball knowledge. They love dating themselves and the Yankees’ checkbook baseball.
I didn’t know Yankee fans could read. But can they listen?
We love the haters and naysayers. We feed off them. Quite enjoyable to watch them freak out on Yankee fans. You hate us cuz y0u ain’t us
You feed off them? I always pictured Yankees fans as Joba the Hutt.
Pinhead;
“We feed off them.”
Now we know, NYY fans eventually evolve into Morlocks.
That’s because it usually is, cause they know Yankee haters will go flocking to read it and complain, lol.
Sox did well to bring in a veteran OF to help acclimate the young players coming up from this rebuild on how to adjust to playing at the major league level. This piggybacks on bringing in Castillo (last year) and McCann to catch, and Nova to pitch – veteran major leaguers. (Alanzo and Herrera seem to be more about plugging holes).
Have been very unimpressed watching the Sox youngsters in late 2018. They seemed to be ill-prepared to play at this level, and lacking in executing even the most basic fundamentals – a trait Sox teams have had since Ozzie left.
Hopefully these veterans will help the manager and coaching staff to stabilize the situation and get the youngsters moving in the right direction.
Nice complimentary piece on a contender. Would’ve been a nice 4th outfielder/Calhoun insurance for the Angels (not that I’m saying the Angels are serious contenders).
If at worst this means no aj pollock i am happy.
jay at 4mill.. yes, they know they will not land harper nor machado
I think someone named Machado made a demand to make this signing to land him
Machado isn’t going to the White Sox just to play with John jay and Alonzo for one season, That’s nonsense lmao. If he signs there it’s for another reason
I think the Yankees have decided to wait for Arenado or Trout next year.
I’ll as far as to say I guarantee he’s going to the White Sox’s
The guy is just a solid baseball player. A solid more often than not. Good signing for them. Hard to believe he’s 33 now. I can remember picking him up off FA for a fantasy league in is early year
I’m guessing you finished dead last in your fantasy league, because he bombed in the 2nd half in Arizona.
I know that Machado and Alonso r brothers in law. But how? They married to sisters? One married to the other ones sister? Because that makes a difference in my opinion. My wife and her sister r really close and she would b pressing me to play with her sisters husband. But, my sisters husband would b a different story.
Machado is married to Alonso’s sister.
The White Sox have officially become the fat chick of MLB.
Boo;
Have fun playing with your collection of ‘Ken’ dolls.
Jay is one of the most overrated players in the game. I don’t know how he continues to get guaranteed MLB contracts? And if the White Sox think signing him is going to lure Machado because they are friends, what will Machado do for the last 9 years of his contract without his “buddy?”
Again with these “overrated” comments on a player that NOBODY rates highly? Really?
Obviously they do rate Jay highly. He got an entire segment devoted to him last night on MLB Network. Teams keep giving him guaranteed contracts and 500 at bats. They talk about how great he is in the clubhouse, yet he’s now on his 6th team in 4 years. Heck, if he plays his cards right and stays healthy, he just might sucker every GM in baseball to sign him before he retires. Bottom line is this. I’ve never, ever seen a 1 tool player get this much air and print time as I have with Jon Jay. I can’t wait to see him on the speaking tour after he retires.
If Jon Jay plays CF, the White Sox will allow the most triples in baseball in 2019.
Engle is absolutely terrible