The White Sox made a big early strike in the free agent market, signing Yasmani Grandal to a four-year, $73MM contract that stands as the priciest deal in franchise history. Here some of the early reactions to the signing…
- Grandal and White Sox GM Rick Hahn spoke with reporters — including MLB.com’s Scott Merkin and The Athletic’s James Fegan — during a conference call today today, detailing how the two sides came together. The White Sox quickly reached out to Grandal’s representatives as soon as free agency opened, and met with Grandal and his team during last week’s GM Meetings. Manager Rick Renteria was a familiar face to Grandal from their time together in San Diego (when Renteria was the Padres’ bench coach), and Grandal was impressed by Chicago’s core of young pitchers. “If I see that I can help that pitching staff, for me that’s pretty much No. 1,” Grandal said. “So, their sales pitch was, ’Look at the young arms we have, look at the guys we have coming up. We have an opportunity here to win, and we think you can help them out.’ ” To that end, Hahn said that two days after the get-together at the GM Meetings, Grandal asked to see video of Sox pitchers to get more information about his future teammates.
- The White Sox were perhaps something of a surprise suitor for Grandal, given that Chicago was thought to be relatively set behind the plate after James McCann’s solid 2019 season. Since Grandal could see time at first base or DH, however, there appears to be a path for McCann to still receive a good chunk of playing time. “Having too many guys who are quality big leaguers is a good thing, not something we view as a problem,” Hahn said. “We want to provide Rick [Renteria] with enough flexibility and different options to set a quality lineup each day.”
- More roster holes need to be filled before the White Sox can call themselves contenders in 2020, as Hahn was quick to downplay the Grandal signing as a big statement. “There certainly is a level of excitement of what we had done even prior to this signing today, but until we actually convert on some of these targets, the words are just that,” Hahn said. “I leave it to [the media] to interpret messages and all that stuff….If, in fact, other free agents see this move today as reinforcement to some of the things they’ve heard from us over the past several weeks or even going back to last year, that’s great. Hopefully there will be further moves over the course of the next several months that will continue that positive narrative.”
- While the White Sox were the most ardent suitor, Grandal noted that his latest trip through free agency drew much more interest than last winter, when Grandal settled for a one-year deal with the Brewers. “Quite frankly, unlike last year around this time when the market was kind of completely non-existent, this year, it was slightly different,” Grandal said. “It seemed like there were several teams that were working hard within their limits to be able to compete and there were thorough teams that were really interested.”
- The Brewers and Blue Jays were previously known to have interest in Grandal this offseason, and The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal (subscription required) adds that the Reds, Angels, and Braves were also among the top suitors, though Atlanta may have just “checked in” on Grandal’s status. Cincinnati was MLBTR’s predicted landing spot for Grandal, as the Reds as known to be willing to spend in pursuit of a postseason berth in 2020 and Grandal represented a clear upgrade over Tucker Barnhart. Catcher was also a glaring area of need for the Angels, while the Braves have one capable regular in Tyler Flowers but are in need of a complement after Brian McCann’s retirement.
chicagofan1978
I’m ok with the signing as long as it’s not the big one.
ASapsFables
The White Sox could actually spend more on a free agent this offseason and not benefit as significantly as what Yasmani Grandal offers to the team with his offense, defense, mentoring and veteran leadership. There’s more to winning that just acquiring an expensive FA like they attempted to do with Manny Machado and Bryce Harper last winter.
Stevil
What you said was exactly the argument I made for Seattle signing Grandal. With so many young arms integrating over the next two years, there’s a lot of hidden value.
But of course that applies to Chicago just as much. Contrats to them on getting this done.
Stevil
“Contrats to them…”
ConGrats to me on one too many screwdrivers tonight…
fisk72
Skoal!
chicagofan1978
I didn’t say sign everyone, I think 2 capable relievers and an ace is still needed. And the Sox have the money. We all know that. It’s time JR gives some of it up.
spinach
It’s easy to say that but it’s not so fun owing the shell of David Price $93m for age 34-36 seasons or owing Jeurys Familia $20 for two seasons beyond the one in which you signed them.
Yes you want your team to spend and get good players but there is kind of reason why the teams are acting all “collusiony” and not rushing to hand out monster or market or whatever deals to everyone who fills a hole. Hopefully this huge deal for Grandal ends up a good value.
cysoxsale
Cry me a river. They have billions. It doesn’t hurt their precious accounts hardly at a. It’s like you losing $5
Stevil
I’ve believed they would pursue Cole. Landing Grandal shouldn’t make Chicago less attractive.
Louis6667
Also you can now expect Zack Collins to be part of a trade or maybe even McCann. An important thing here also is that Grandal is a switch hitter.
Dogbone
If Zack Collins had shown any true potential, the Sox have felt the need to sign Grandal in the first place.
Collins has no trade ‘value’.
ASapsFables
Zack Collins or James McCann being packaged in a trade for a RF or more pitching depth is certainly plausible but not a given. MLB rosters expand to 26 players next season with a cap of 13 pitchers. The White Sox along more than a few other teams will strongly consider a roster consisting of 3 catchers that was commonplace when I first became a baseball fan back in the early 1960’s.
Clearly Yasmani Grandal will assume the #1 catching position with McCann sliding into the #2 role. Collins figures to continue getting PA’s as a backup 1B/DH and the #3 catcher. Grandal may also spell Abreu at 1B while he and McCann could also get some PA’s at DH. Any AL team that utilizes a catcher with some frequency in the designated hitter role would need to carry 3 on their roster in case that days starter needs to be replaced during a game for fear of losing the DH with the pitcher then having to assume that spot in the lineup.
Even in the event the White Sox trade from their present surplus of MLB catchers they still might carry a #3 catcher on their active roster in 2020. They just added right-handed slugging ‘catcher’ Yermin Mercedes to their 40-man roster to keep him from being Rule 5 eligible in next month’s draft. Mercedes is more defensively challenged than even Collins but he can rake at the plate. If Collins or even McCann is used as a trade chip there’s a good chance that Mercedes can assume the role of an emergency #3 catcher while also garnering significant PA’s in the DH role.
Dogbone
Or more likely, Collins will just never amount to more than a journeyman. One that was way overhyped, along the way. In the typical Chisox manner.
wv17
It’s the biggest one in White Sox history!
StandUpGuy
That’s the most expensive signing the ChiSox have done in their entire century+ history. I think that qualifies it as “the big one.”
Dogbone
And stands as a testament to just how cheap Reinsdorf is.
chitown311
Or maybe he sees the northside team handing out $180mm and $130mm to Heyward and Darvish respectively and is gun shy when those contracts fail like they have
Daw(e)some
Be selective about two contracts that exceed this 73M when the Cubs have had many, many more above that level and many which proved successful.
Dogbone
I think most teams would be very happy to have Darvish pitching for them, at $22/M a year.
Probably not the Chisox though. Don’t want to spend.
Dumpster Divin Theo
To be fair, Darvish was a better signing than Arietta, and he’s showing signs of turning it around now healthy. Plus he’s a fun twitter roast. And not nearly as costly as what the Cubs have up for their 4th starter
Dumpster Divin Theo
Its not so much the contracts. It’s throwing around elite prospects like a drunken sailor for Q; Wade Davis and a few months of Chapman that should have you worried
johnrealtime
The Cubs only handed out those deals in the last few years, what’s the White Sox excuse before that?
Funny that the Sox tried making a deal that would have made the Cubs signings look good, but Manny didn’t choose them
IronBallsMcGinty
I think it’s really cool that he wanted to see video of the Sox pitchers before making his decision. Says he’s interested in more than just money.
snotrocket
I agree, Iron Balls. That really stood out to me when reading the article.
canocorn
Wonder if he had some popcorn watching the videos
coldbeer
It’s still about the money first dont kid yourself.
Priggs89
Gotta be that guy, huh?
He never said money didn’t come first.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Did he ask to see the Tom Enanski video as well? The Crime Dog approves this message.
bravesfan
Braves weren’t gonna fork out that kind of money and nor should they for him. Let the Sox be stuck with that contract. Ew
BobSacamano
I wouldn’t want the braves to improve either.. but, I’m not a braves fan.
Sonny42
You should be saying ew to trey flowers but I guess if ur ok with no offense output then maybe you should trade and get zunino
StandUpGuy
I prefer guys that don’t just catch when they are getting paid for it. Let’s get someone that catches on their free time because they truly love catching. Let’s sign Pete Buttigieg.
SalaryCapMyth
I don’t think it’s so bad. You think Grandal isnt going to be so good when he is playing at age 34? Well, the Braves already have that with Flowers. His bat is average as catchers go and he lead the league in passed balls.
holycowdude
I’m a Braves fan and strongly disagree. It’s a reasonable deal, Grandal is a top 3 contributor at his position (offense AND defense) and he’d have been a HUGE upgrade over T-Flow. A switch hitting catcher with a great bat and superb defensive metrics? Sign me up. He would have been a great addition for that young rotation.
braveshomer
agreed @holycowdude…so more of non-offense production plus a ton more passed balls from our catching position next season smh
Dumpster Divin Theo
Yeah, gotta save money for 25k of those tacky foam tomahawks
Goetta
Grandal is really a difference maker on offense but that is a lot of years to give a catcher his age. He will clearly help the Sox offensively but a 4 year contract at that annual value seems risky and pricy. I wouldn’t be surprised if he regressed this year, especially leaving Miller park and hitting in a below average lineup. Still, got to be excited if you are a Sox fan.
knuck2
It’s not all that hard to hit in Chicago either. And when all is said and done this off season the lineup should no longer be below average.
coldbeer
Luis Robert and maybe even Nick Madrigal and Zack Collins will be up with the White Sox this year. Joining guys like Moncada, Abreu, Jimenez, Anderson all of a sudden makes a potentially lethal lineup around Grandal. And, who said they’re done shopping?
twentyforty
You realize that no5 even half of those guys will be difference makers, right? That’s just how it goes.
coldbeer
Moncada, Jimenez, Abreu, Robert, Grandal.
Five. Count em.
Priggs89
More than half of them already are difference makers…
Brentg55
Now that he had been off PED’s for a while we will see
Thomas Bliss
4 years isn’t that bad in the American League. If his knees start to give out he could become the DH or play 1st.
Goetta
I see your point, but Grandals offensive numbers last year were great for a catcher, middle of the pack for a DH. If you are paying him 18 mil annually to DH he better be a rock solid cog in the middle of the lineup. I just don’t see that when he is in his mid 30’s.
Thomas Bliss
I’m pretty sure the DH spot last year for the Sox doesn’t qualify for middle of the pack.
coldbeer
White Sox trending up big time
Erik
Trending up in payroll maybe. They haven’t won anything yet following the Cubs model with Cubs grown prospects
niched
The White Sox won the WS 11 years before the Cubs did
Erik
Ooooo 11 years before lol is that supposed to be a comeback???
chitown311
When Theo ruined a possible dynasty with idiotic trades and signings, he will leave that franchise upside down.
pullhitter445
Nah Erik just a fact
Dumpster Divin Theo
Nice comeback with the lol comment. Stellar. Did you pick that up from Ronny Woo Woo
Rallyshirt
Mmm. not really. The Cubs rebuild included:
Cornering the draft market on hitting, saying they will “pay for” rather than develop pitchers
Overpay signing of position players
Overpay signing of starting and relief pitching
Trading a perennial all-star infielder for a 2 month rental closer
Having to fill emergency holes with guys just drafted like Nico Hoerner
So yeah, it’s really nothing like the Cubs model.
Erik
I’m so glad you followed the Cubs so closely. The Sox followed suit exactly. We’ll see if they get a championship out of it though. They still gotta do that first on a much more limited payroll
Rallyshirt
I just splayed-out 5 reasons the White Sox are nothing like the Cubs model and you denied it, which means you don’t read.
pullhitter445
Not really erik. The white Sox unlike the cubs, acquired several more arms and that’s a big difference. they didn’t buy or have to trade for an entire rotation (excluding the cubs Hendricks)
coldbeer
Trending up as a competitive team.
ChiSoxCity
You think this deal got Gerrit Cole’s attentions?
Rallyshirt
I don’t think anyone should be pursuing Astros players right now. I think he (Cole) is in for a shock.
niched
Sign stealing would benefit Astros hitters, not their pitchers. Can’t see how the scandal affects Cole
Joe Kerr
Cole wasn’t hitting.
Rallyshirt
You guys need to consider the implications of being witness or knowledgeable to the events occurring and not reporting the infractions to the league, or at least representatives benefiting the protection of the “lesser involved” team members.
It’s not professional. It’s bush league.
Dumpster Divin Theo
I think Gerrit came to the situation relatively late. Why he was mentally checked out after game 7. What better way to say “I’m outta here” by wearing the Team Bora Bora hat and refusing to comment about his former employer
California Halo's
Nope. If you want Cole, money talks, 8 year 240 million offer might get his attention than again that might not be enough.
niched
Doubt he gets 8 guaranteed years
Dumpster Divin Theo
He might be worth that and possibly open to some creative finagling as long as he hits certain numbers. Boras and the Sox have thawed recently
sloopjonb
I want everyone’s attentions
SalaryCapMyth
I usually don’t come down on the article writers but Mark you really need to take a look at Flowers again and reconsider the statement that he’s a “capable regular”.
He lead the league in passed balls and he wasnt even close to the top 10 in innings. His bat was pretty average as catchers go so that didnt help prop him up. He is a really good pitch framer but that’s all he has. He’s producing like a back up catcher.
So now the Braves will either need to trade or maybe go after Chirinos but his work behind the plate is nothing spectacular.
Brentg55
He didn’t say he was great or even good just capable and that he is as a Braves fan I do hope Atlanta gets another catcher and Tyler is the backup but he is capable of being the starter
Sid Bream
Brentg55
Flowers is terrible and should only ever be the back up, he’s a decent catcher that can’t hit very well and that’s it. I wished they’d got rid of Flowers and kept Suzuki. With what’s left after Grandal is off the market then I hope we at least sign Cervelli. Chirinos is decent but how much is he going to want?
Rallyshirt
Did i just see .380 OBP?
Sid Bream
I just hope the Braves don’t sign Castro. Cervelli is only 33 turning 34 next year, so give him a chance or sign Vogt
canocorn
>> “… or sign Vogt”
* crickets *
Brentg55
I think cervelli coming back is a big possibility
inkstainedscribe
Too many concussions. I don’t trust him to stay healthy.
Brentg55
Isn’t this year when they go to 26 players if so carry 3 catchers
DarkSide830
there’s something a bit concerning in Grandal’s recent comments about the Astros and their cheating. he says the whole “if you’re not cheating, you’re not trying” thing, but its a bit concerning coming from someone busted for PEDs in the past. ChiSox better watch out this doesn’t become Welington 2.0.
Rallyshirt
As much as I don’t like that comment, a careful interpretation could lead to a more enlightening perspective. Winners do and losers try. So if you are cheating, then you are trying, and therefore a loser.
braveshomer
‘if you ain’t cheatin you ain’t tryin’ is an old Nascar quote from Richard Petty. I’ve said that before on here about the Astros thing and a lot of commentors got butt hurt about it….its just a funny and old (but rings true) quote that a lot on here aren’t catching the reference too…fyi
Dumpster Divin Theo
“If you ain’t first youre last” R.Bobby Sr.
thepapacy
I don’t understand where all this praise for his defense comes from. Last time I checked -0.4 is not a great dWar stat.
Or am I missing something?
Also makes me wonder what the deal with Collins is? He was arguably the top catching prospect in the draft when he came out and with McCann and grandal where does he fit in?
Dogbone
Collins is a human wind turbine.
Priggs89
One that’s living in your head rent free.
Rallyshirt
@papacy,
Collins welcomed Grandal to the White Sox, telling SSHP’s Clint Cole, “I already spoke to [Grandal] … obviously we are pretty excited. I’ve been working out with him since I was 15 or 16. It should be awesome for us. He just told me to get ready to work, so it should be fun.”
Dogbone
And Grandal told Collins, ‘kid, I hope you enjoy Birmingham in the summertime. Might as well buy a house there’.
Rallyshirt
It shouldn’t matter Collins buys his house because you are willing to travel and be his pool guy.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Rallyshirt is on to Dogbone like white on rice
Rallyshirt
Dogbone is very good at what he does.
PinstripedPride
Well mark that as another prediction I got wrong. Figured he was heading to Cincinnati, lol. Oh well, 1 for 4 so far
Rallyshirt
I like Hahn’s attitude about the Grandal signing. This move should make an impact on other FA or trade possibilities, and we needed this to happen. I thought CWS would be in a mini-sweepstakes for Grandal, and miss out potentially. Turns out, we just closed the deal.
2020 Let’s go!
dewssox79
As mentioned earlier, I dont think anyone should be looking at Astros players until the investigation is over. It doesnt matter if it was a pitcher, they where there, and no one knows if there was any help from any of these guys in 2019.
aias
I’m not a huge baseball fan and I don’t understand a bunch of these metrics, but how does a guy who hit .246 and doesn’t have a large numbers or RBIs or HR get to be an all star? Or why is this such a huge signing? Not being critical, I’m just looking for some understanding. Thank you in advance.
Rallyshirt
The catcher in my opinion is primarily a defensive position. His job is to manage a strategy and work with his pitcher(s) to find success vs the opposing team’s lineup. So statistical batting really comes after this. Many catchers are slow and fill out the bottom of the lineup, but Grandal is a player who bats in the heart of it. Powerful enough to drive extra base hits, patient enough to walk, versatile enough to switch-hit. He’s pretty much the complete package, which is why he is in the top 5 in all of baseball.
Walks might sound boring to new fans, but they do a lot. Often times each walk causes a pitcher to throw 8-10 pitches with all the fouling off, etc. These types of batters can be very frustrating to face, knowing he can capitalize on a mistake when a pitcher has to get one over. If you look at the list of all catchers, Grandal doubles the next highest catcher in walks.
aias
Thank you for the reply.
wordonthestreet
He gets to be ab all star by being better than others at his position and offensively as well he was better.
steve rudnick
i like the signing by the white sox but i think they gave him too many years
bigdaddyhacks
White Sox and mariners are the next to rise from the bottom.
redsorbust
Congrats to WS for landing him. Boat load of money though for an aging catcher. Catchers have many more ways of getting hurt as well. Being a die hard fan of a team that hardly ever wins (Reds) I say great for the WS fans who get some much needed good news. For the Reds they could easily disappoint fans again this year or surprise us with some signings and trades.. They have shown last year not afraid to at least try and make team better.
Jock2854
Grandal should have signed with Reds, the pitching staff is getting better & he would compliment them, Sox still have Twins & Indians to jump ovr, even w/o him Reds should be better, thing are yet to come