The Chicago White Sox signed Leury Garcia to a one-year, $3.5MM guaranteed deal today, per MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. The deal includes a $3.25MM base salary for 2020 with a $3.5MM team option for 2021. The White Sox can decline next year’s option with a $250K buyout. Garcia’s deal takes the place of the one he signed in January to avoid arbitration, giving the team the option of a second season. Garcia is a client of Rep 1 Baseball.
Garcia, 29 in March, has been a longstanding member of the White Sox. He joined the club midseason in 2013 from the Texas Rangers in a trade for Alexis Rios. He had been a part-time player every season since the deal until last year when he started 135 games for Chicago, the largest chunk of which came in centerfield, though he spent time at every position except pitcher, catcher, and first base.
As for this season, Garcia may open the year as the regular second baseman, though whoever gets the at-bats in the early going will likely eventually yield playing time to Nick Madrigal. Regardless, he provides the team with a valuable safety net. He’s comfortable in the clubhouse, unlikely to kick up a fuss over playing time, and he can play wherever they need him on the diamond. His career .256/.292/.357 doesn’t inspire a whole lot of confidence, but as a bit player, he should continue to compliment the White Sox roster nicely at a low investment.
Puig next?!
Why would you want that cancer in your locker room. The guy is a head case. If anything let the rich get richer. Sign a another utility guy like lefty Scooter Gennet or a back of rotation guy like Andrew Cashner you can always move someone to the pen or trade before the deadline.
I’m not a CHW fan. I just think it would be an entertaining fit. The kid can play ball and wears his heart on his sleeve. I wouldn’t call him a cancer though
Serenity now!
Hoochie Mama!
I like Puig plying with many of his fellow countrymen. If he were to say get out of line, I’m sure Jose will take care of that.
@Zatoichi – why do you think Puig will be a cancer in a locker room full of Cubans? (people, not cigars – yes there’s a seinfeld ep about that too)
There is a reason the Dodgers let him go. He needs to be the center of attention. He may be fun for a little while but he ends up wearing out his welcome.
Zero facts or evidence of any of this. This is you being judgemental because you feel superior to players for some reason.
Puig would never accept being platooned in right field. Which is the only way he would fit on the team. He will be happier somewhere else, like Japan!
That’s hilarious i don’t feel superior to anyone especially athletes they are playing professional ball. He has been disliked everywhere he has gone. He’s been a clown. The guy likes to lick bats and start fights. He has never been as good as what they thought he would be. He has a good arm but besides that he doesn’t bring anything to the table that the sox don’t have. Why did the sox get rid of Adam Eaton? Because he was a clown that was disliked in the locker room. Now you purpose to bring in another one. Why?
He’s a good ball player and he’s entertaining.. Idk, that’s the entire reason why I watch the game.
Great, he is entertaining.. who cares if he actually HELPS the team?!
So you’re just going to ignore the part where he said “he’s a good ball player,” huh?
I must have missed the part where Nomar Mazara did anything worth guaranteeing him a majority of the RF playing time. They are both high-upside inexpensive options who likely flame out.
Never! Kenny said so!
Piug is headed to Japan.
It’s “Puig”!
To Bob S and Strike 4. Don’t need him-don’t want him. Let our young prospects have their shot.
Why not.
He’s only 28? Wow
Another good move. I’m a Cubs fan and they could learn from the Sox latest moves.
Rock the cradle of love
Alexis Rios? Sounds exotic
What was the joke here? lol Alexis Rios was a former All-Star for TOR… I mean I kind of get it his name sounds like it could be a girls… But he’s also not a nobody lol. Anyone who watched baseball 10 years ago would know who he is.
Oh haha my bad… apparently I (and the writer) were wrong. it is actually just Alex… wow I would’ve sworn the writer had it right… my bad!!!
Oh we did… his name is in fact Alexis Rios haha… man I was driving myself crazy thinking how could I have possibly thought that all these years if it wasn’t — but that’s because it was/is his name.
Oh we did… his name is in fact Alexis Rios haha… man I was driving myself crazy thinking how could I have possibly thought that all these years if it wasn’t — but that’s because it was/is his name.
baseball-reference.com/players/r/riosal01.shtml not Alexis Rios
That Baseball Reference link also shows that Álex Ríos full name is Alexis Israel Rios on his overview page.
Interestingly enough, Rios is also an American who was born in Coffee, Alabama. He also has a Puerto Rican heritage and actually graduated from San Pedro Martin High School in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico in 1999. He was drafted by the Blue Jays in the 1st round (19th) of that same year in the MLB June Amateur Draft. Aside from playing with the Blue Jays, White Sox, Rangers and Royals, Rios was also a three-time World Baseball Classic participant with the Puerto Rico national baseball team.
He was bad, but he did win a ring with the Royals.
Mazara, Jimenez, Garcia, Robert, EE at DH… no there is no room for Puig.
And Collins
No room for Collins.
Headed to AAA to stay sharp as a catcher in case of injury to McCann or Grandal.
Collins can’t consistently hit at major league level yet.
Is Kenny Williams abd Ozzie Guillen still running this “MLB team” I mean that was 12-13 years ago…when they were relevant!!! Hey ChiSox, there’s some Cubs articles you are needed at!
Puig is better than most of them.
And if atttude really is everything they should avoid him.
Puig was fantastic with both Ohio teams last year, stop spreading nonsense lies based on racist old sportswriters stuck in the past.
Pretty pointless to act up when you’re on 2 teams going nowhere in the same season.
this is real baseball not fantasy baseball
This team is gonna do some damage this year. If they can find a way to work Puig in, why not.
GO SOX!
Too bad your pitching is garbage
“Garbage” compared to who? The White Sox pitching staff is one of the better units in the Al Central. Their rotation and bullpen look to be on a par with the favored Twins. The Indians staffs, particularly their starting rotations, have dominated the division in recent seasons. Since last July, Cleveland has traded their two most elite starters, Trevor Bauer and Corey Klueber while two of their other best arms in Mike Clevinger and Carlos Carrasco are experiencing health issues as we post.
That’s a bold statement for the first day of spring training. I suppose Gonzalez, Kopech and Keuchel should just be traded now?
Kopech has done nothing in Majors
Kuechel solid
Gio never know what you get
Do yourself a favor and dont make the White Sox paper Champions already
Youll be disappointed!
Kopech has done nothing in Majors
Kuechel solid
Gio never know what you get
Do yourself a favor and dont make the White Sox paper Champions already
Youll be disappointed!
This deal is to give Madigral a full season in AAA before the White Sox bringing him up to the MLB. Facing AA and AAA pitchers is way different going against MLB pitchers.
Ehh, I wish DET would find a way to trade for Nick. There is absolutely nothing of value outside the young pitching core the Sox would want. He reminds me of, dare I say, Roberto Alomar. Maybe that’s a bit excessive? lol
Why do you think that the Sox would ever consider trading someone like Madrigal to the Tigers of all teams?
I never said I thought they would.
If Madrigal fits better elsewhere, it’s on Oakland, who might actually line up with a deal being they are flux with good players at every level.
I still like this deal, which BTV gave the ok to:
CSW get: Nolan Arenado, Chad Pinder
OAK get: Nick Madrigal, Scott Oberg
ROX get: Franklin Barreto, Sheldon Neuse, Chris Bassitt, Daulton Jefferies
Then the Rox trade Story for Senzel, and be a good team in 2 years or less.
BTV? The Business TV training channel or the official code designation for the Burlington International Airport in Vermont?
Whoever BTV might be, it’s good to know that the White Sox actually desire or need an expensive 3B with a future MVP candidate like Yoan Moncada already on hand for at least the next 4 seasons, 3 of which will be as an arbitration eligible if he isn’t amenable to a contract extension before he can hit free agency in 2024. It’s also nice to know that the White Sox are apparently interested in punting a future AL Gold Glove and Batting Title contender in MLB ready Nick Madrigal when he is their only elite prospect who currently plays 2B.
Please stop with these ludicrous Nolan Arenado rumors, especially any that impact the White Sox in regards to Moncada and Madrigal. Just because it serves your purpose as a fan doesn’t mean it makes sense for the White Sox organization.
The White Sox already whiffed on expensive FA Manny Machado last offseason, a player that has far more versatility afield than Arenado. It’s been since hinted that Machado might have been employed as the White Sox future SS or 2B and not necessarily as their 3B with Moncada already being transitioned from 2B to the hot corner. There was also conjecture that defensively challenged SS Tim Anderson might have been the odd man out with a move to the OF, less so than Moncada or Madrigal being displaced.
Thank goodness that Machado opted for the Padres last winter. The White Sox front office has since spent wiser dollars spreading out those funds to other less expensive but just as impacting FA players like Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel and Edwin Encarnacion along with issuing proactive contract extensions to 3 of their best young talents in Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Aaron Bummer. I expect they’ll attempt to do likewise with Madrigal, Moncada and Lucas Giolito as well in the coming months.
Madrigal is coming up early
I think the 2018 1st round will be one of the best classes in recent history
Madrigal will get his long term deal next week.
Will be locked up to 2030.
That would be an excellent decision for Hahn to make.
ChiSox_Fan: From your mouth to Jerry & Rick’s ears!
The Leury Garcia deal has zero impact on Nick Madrigal’s MLB debut in 2020. Garcia was already a virtual lock to be on the White Sox roster with his previous agreed to arbitration salary. Garcia’s versatility makes him a valuable commodity for any MLB team, particularly so for one that is trying to contend for a playoff spot like the White Sox are hoping to accomplish this season.
Madrigal’s 2020 debut is only dependent on his own production including how he fares in this spring training camp. The 2B job is his to lose. If Madrigal has a big spring with the bat and glove, he will force the hand of the White Sox front office and may very well earn a contract extension like Eloy Jimenez garnered last spring on the eve of opening day after the slugging LF tore up Cactus League pitching.
Fact is, Madrigal can do more on the field than Jimenez. He possesses Gold Glove caliber defense at a premium up the middle defensive position. This is even more important considering the White Sox have a SS in Tim Anderson who needs to improve his defense in 2020 like he did with his bat last season. Madrigal’s acumen is hardly restricted to his glove. The man can hit and has been the toughest batter to strike out in professional baseball since his debut in July of 2018. He also possesses a plus run tool that resulted in 35 SB’s last season, just one shy of the number that recently extended CF Luis Robert posted over his 3 minor league stops in 2019. Additionally, Madrigal is said to possess an off the chart baseball IQ.
If Madrigal answers the front office’s remaining questions in the next 5 weeks he will likely be their opening day second baseman. A player with his elite skill set won’t need additional PA’s at AAA if he puts up formidable numbers in Arizona. Unlike Robert, Madrigal produced his best numbers as he climbed from A+ Winston-Salem and was promoted to AA Birmingham and AAA Charlotte. He was an elite hitter and a great college SS/2B starting as a freshmen at Oregon State. He helped OSU win an NCAA World Series title in his final season as a junior just after the White Sox selected him with the overall #3 pick in the 2018 June Draft. Madrigal has continued to produce at every minor league stop and there’s no reason to believe he can’t continue that at the game’s highest level.
The White Sox most recent top prospects have all struggled to some degree after making their MLB debuts. This includes Anderson, Yoan Moncada and even Jimenez in the early going last season. I also expect an adjustment period will be needed for Robert early on as he adapts to MLB pitching. I’d be willing to bet that Madrigal will have the quickest success of any of them because he is already a polished all around player and his contact skills as a hitter are elite. The biggest question the White Sox figure to have with Madrigal will have more to do with his MLB service time than his big league ability. A solid spring along with an extension should answer that final question.
This comment is longer than the article.
lol, why do people do that? its COMMENTING not ESSAYING
Can you imagine sitting next to Aaron at a ChiSox game?
My God! If you say “Hi!” To Aaron before the game starts, you miss the entire game!!
Chisox_fan, As long as he doesn’t smell like cheap booze.
It would be an enlightening experience, especially since I’m one of the few fans who prefers to watch and talk baseball instead of playing with their freaking cell phones during the entire game. There’s also ample time between innings to discuss MLB when I’m not offering to buy your hot dogs and beer as an added incentive and consolation prize at the concession stand. If you are one of those guys who gets easily distracted trying to take a leak, I promise not to follow you to the men’s room! lol
@Strike Four
If it’s too long for you, don’t read it, simple as that. Sometimes you need more than 10 words for a comment/response.
His comments (or essays as you put it) are very informative. I enjoy reading what he says.
@Aaron Sapoznik
Amen to that! I just want to slap their phones out of their hands when I go to a game.
And the rest of your comment was awesome lol.
I always talk baseball with those around me. I’d go to a ballgame with you any day. Your comments may be lengthy but they’re 99% spot on.
My comment was meant for Aaron
Just keep it short and to your point, Aaron!!
ChiSox – I bet you are having the BEST DAY!!! All this news about the Sox, WOW!!!! Lololol But make sure to savor it bc it may be awhile before u get more.
Boy, you sound like you’re having a wonderful day. Do you have bitter-berry in all your jelly?
Can u imagine anyone going to a Sox game lolololololol
Madrigal defensive reaction speed is faster than MLB level. I just wonder how he accelerates to first? If he can get a step on those chopper type hits, I can see a ton more hits with Madrigal.
.290/.370++ is easily within reach his first year in majors.
Stop posting books, Aaron!
Because it’s hard for ChiSox to read that much. Try smaller words, and maybe some pictures.
Madrigal doesn’t need a single day in AAA let alone a full year.
If they want to compete this year, they need him on the opening day roster.
This should be seen as nothing more than resigning a valuable depth piece. But he has no business starting, and certainly not so they can manipulate Madrigal.
I agree, but Madrigal’s arrival just before the Field of Dreams game is almost as big as the Back Street Boys.
Unless he gets hurt, there’s a 0% chance Madrigal spends a full year in AAA. That’s just ridiculous.
Aaron, it seems like the White Sox want Madigral face AAA pitchers for a few months before even thinking about bringing him up to the MLB. Madigral did have good numbers in his minor league stint last year but it’s nothing like what Robert had last year where he got his promotion and deal.
Mark my words, Robert will be sent down at some point this year. He is too raw and too much a of free swinger and has a terrible k to walk rate. He needs more work.
I would challenge any commenter to pull up the 2019 stats of Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal and put them side-by-side. They were both elite and each played for the same minor league teams, with Robert getting the quicker promotions to AA and AAA because of his early dominance at A+ Winston-Salem.
Robert’s metrics look better for those more inclined toward advanced analytics, stats that favor power over contact. Madrigal put up numbers that any traditional baseball fan would drool over, especially if you envision him as the prototypical #2 hitter of years past.
As for defense, both players are considered strong at premium up the middle positions. Madrigal is a Gold Glove caliber second baseman with a high baseball IQ. He is especially important to the White Sox chances of competing for a postseason spot in 2020 with the need for better defensive consistency from SS Tim Anderson. As for Robert, he will also need to play an elite CF being flanked by LF Eloy Jimenez and RF Nomar Mazara who have each put up below average defensive metrics in their young MLB careers.
Clearly both players can steal bases with Robert’s 36 and Madrigal’s 35. Robert excels with his power numbers while Madrigal is in a virtual class by himself with his ability to make regular contact and not strike out. Robert’s power will be another welcome addition to a White Sox batting order that already features some heavy thunder. Madrigal’s bat-to ball skills look to be an even more important addition to a White Sox lineup that was among MLB’s worst at striking out in 2019, one that was also dead last in drawing walks.
Yasmani Grandal will definitely improve the White Sox batting order when it comes drawing walks in 2020. Madrigal will help in that regard in comparison to Robert who’s BB/SO ratio is more on a par with Tim Anderson’s numbers. Madrigal’s contact skills will be not only be unique in the White Sox lineup but also buck the MLB trend that has seen it’s hitters striking out as much as they get base hits in the sabermetric era.
Sox aren’t getting Puig for the same reason that no one else has signed him – he’s not good. End of story. He’s not an upgrade at all for the Sox. They’re not wasting resources on him.
He’ll probably have to wait for some team to have injuries before he gets signed.
It also has to do with the fact that he’s an absolute headcase.
Garcia definitely improved his contact rate last year. Dude doesn’t walk, but the combo of being able to make contact,switch hitter, good speed, and adequate defense around the diamond makes him a pretty nice and ideal utility man.
The White Sox front office is taking care of business on the first day of their spring training exhibition schedule with this extension to versatile INF/OF Leury Garcia and the 5 year + deal for RP Aaron Bummer.
Don’t stop now boys! Let’s get 2B Nick Madrigal done before opening day along with tying up 3B Yoan Moncada and SP Lucas Giolito.
Hahahahaha!!! I love spring training.
This has to be an exciting time for White Sox fans!
Odd decision for Leury, Gave up his first FA year (if BRef has it right) for a non-guaranteed deal.
The right price for Leury. He’s a great guy to have for the whole season. Hard working, fun, makes some surprising infield plays too.
Why?
Good move signing Leury. He’s a switch hitter who can play almost anywhere. Not a great hitter or fielder, but he is a handy man who seems willing to help out whenever he’s needed. And the price is right for this upbeat contributor. He will come in handy this year.
Leurys 139 ks to 21 bb should only mean he is a bench player at best. We have Mendick and Madrigal. No to Puig.
Mark my words, Robert will be sent down at some point this year. He is too raw and too much a of free swinger and has a terrible k to walk rate. He needs more work.