Dec 10: The White Sox have formally announced the signing via a press release, tweets James Fegan of the Athletic.
Dec 8: The White Sox have brought a familiar face back to the South Side, as NBC Sports Chicago’s Chuck Garfien (Twitter link) reports that the Sox have signed outfielder Adam Eaton to a one-year, $7MM contract. The deal contains a club option worth $8.5MM for the 2022 season, with MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reporting that the option has a $1MM buyout. Eaton is represented by Diamond Sports Management.
Eaton previously played for the White Sox from 2014-16, emerging as a reliable and productive everyday outfielder over those three seasons. With Chicago embarking on a rebuild, Eaton was traded to the Nationals almost exactly four years ago to the day in a very notable deal that brought the Sox a trio of young arms — Lucas Giolito, Dane Dunning, and Reynaldo Lopez.
Flash forward to today and Giolito is the ace of Chicago’s staff, Lopez is on the roster though perhaps looking at a move to the bullpen after struggling as a starter, and Dunning was just traded to the Rangers yesterday in the swap that brought Lance Lynn to Guaranteed Rate Field. Between adding Lynn and Eaton within 24 hours, the White Sox have now checked two notable items off their offseason to-do list.
After Nomar Mazara didn’t produce much in 2020, the White Sox were known to be looking at outfield help, with such names as Michael Brantley and Joc Pederson linked to the team. (USA Today’s Bob Nightengale also reported this morning that Eaton was “on their radar.”) With Eloy Jimenez in left field and Luis Robert in center, Eaton will be slated for right field, his regular position over the last three years in Washington. Adam Engel, coming off a strong 2020 season, now looks to be set for fourth outfielder duty, though the right-handed hitting Engel could spell the left-handed hitting Eaton when a southpaw is on the mound.
Eaton’s lefty bat will provide some balance to a White Sox lineup that leans to the right, though Eaton will be looking to rebound from his worst offensive season as a starter. He hit .226/.285/.384 over 176 plate appearances for the Nats last season, with his lowest walk rate (6.8%) since 2013. Between this lack of hitting and a tough year defensively (-6.1 UZR/150, -6 Defensive Runs Saved over 335 innings in right field), Eaton was a sub-replacement level player, with -0.5 fWAR. These numbers led the Nationals to decline their club option on Eaton’s services for 2021, instead buying him out for $1.5MM.
The White Sox are clearly hoping that Eaton’s struggles were due to the abbreviated and unusual nature of the 2020 season, and that he’ll produce something closer to his usual numbers (.289/.367/.423 over 3066 PA from 2014-19) under somewhat more normal circumstances next season. The one-year deal doesn’t represent a huge investment on Chicago’s part to see if the 32-year-old Eaton can bounce back, and by signing Eaton rather than investing in a more expensive option like Brantley or Pederson, the Sox now theoretically have more money to spend on other potential roster moves later in the winter.
Nationals last place secured
Guess you missed Eaton in the field last season.
still think most teams are going to be cheap this offseason?
That contract (with the buyout) totals what he would have made in a fuller season last year. $9.5 million. Doesn’t seem overly expensive of a contract for an average regular. Seems cheap actually.
$8 million*
Chicago won’t need to rely on him in the field and they’re probably not done. Easy to see them targeting another fielder and rotating the DH.
What when his beard knocked the ball out of his glove like 3 times?
Right. Because losing Adam Eaton is the death nail for the Nationals.
Indeed…the Nats need the -0.9 WAR to compete!
LOL! Could you imagine? Now the Nationals have to find a DIFFERENT player with negative value to be competitive! =D
-0.5 fWAR
The same number as Victor Robles
Haha
No really
Mets fan salty once again. We won a world series and will probably do better than you next year or beat you in the playoffs. Its ok, we actually have a good GM unlike you. METS are a BIG JOKe
The Mets sans 2015 finished behind the Nats the entire decade, must be getting the frustration out.
The worst owners in baseball are gone replaced by the richest man in baseball who has been a Mets fan since birth. The Mets will be battling the Braves for the next 10 years while you knuckleheads get to watch Traitor Joe throw out the first pitch.
I don’t know why the Mets fan said that. But the likely hood of the Nats being better than Mets next year is less than the Mets being better than the Nats based on team now and what they are likely to do in FA. But the Nats won the WS so we have no room to talk rn
Ok I do think mets will be better in reg season, but nats go farther in post
If stras Corbin and sherzer return to form I wouldn’t be surprised at all. That’s the big key. Good luck next year
We? I didn’t realize you were on the team. Can you post a picture of your ring?
Without fans the Mets are nothing. So yes… WE… same as any other team. You are part of the team you rule for…
So that’s why they let you in the clubhouse after winning the whole thing and charge you money to be there….because they’re equal contributions. Ok…..
Can we have a ruling that anyone who has a problem with a fan using “we” should be sent to semantics prison for being pedantic?
This is the kind of silly comment that gives Mets fans such a bad rap on this site.
The marlins will be in last place
The Mets will be in last place again, the Marlins will also likely finish above the Mets.
Great news for the boys in Queens
Eaton the guy has gave ridiculous amounts of value to the White Sox. Can the White Sox strike gold again with him?
I thought 7mm was an overpay. I do understand he’s a vet and doesn’t play for free though. I get it.
On another note what is pedantic? Does it mean petty? Vin skullys son used it and I wanna know.
Websters has a website now….
Pedantic:
of, relating to, or being a pedant……..
Of course!
(like those ants on Honey I shrunk the Kids, pedants)
jk
On a completely unrelated note, what IS a pedant?
Asking for a ‘friend’…
Webster used it and it sounded like it might be a pretty accurate description of my ‘friend’.
smart move for the player guys just like him will get half that contract come february
@Metsin7
Can you explain why losing Eaton and his .226 or so batting average and subpar defense would make the Nationals a last place team?
How?
Eaton performed very well in the 2019 world series. I see his presence as a good thing for the White Sox young core. He’s not usually talked about as the best person in the club house, but him and Lynn have both won World Series. Adding veteran leadership to a young core is always a good move IMHO.
He’s not anything close to a leader and has been traded from two different teams because players hated his guts.
It’s pretty hard to claim that Eaton was traded from the White Sox “because players hated his guts”. The Sox also traded Chris Sale, Jose Quintana, Todd Frazier, Tommy Kahnle, David Robertson, Anthony Swarzak, Melky Cabrera, and others in less than a year, and they got an absolute haul of prospects for Eaton. By all accounts Eaton was not beloved in the clubhouse, but that trade would have been made even if he was one of the popular kids.
Believe it or not, people can change. Adam Eaton is no longer a brash rookie. He had few, if any issues in the Nationals clubhouse. The White Sox also vetted Eaton before agreeing to re-sign him as a free agent: mlb.com/whitesox/news/adam-eaton-white-sox-deal and
They not only won the Eaton trade, they took him back. Lol.
Nationals won a World Series with Eaton.
I’m well aware. But he wasn’t a driving force in their victory. And his contract was largely a bust. He wasn’t like a Brad Lidge to Phillies or a Cody Ross to the Giants.
He was in the World Series. He played all 7 games and his OPS was a hair under 1.000.
Adam Eaton had an excellent World Series.
Yeah, because his 15 homers and 15 steals with a .279 BA didn’t help at all. /s
fake news
Wasn’t a driving force? Which WS did you watch?
If the Sox don’t win a WS with any of the players in that trade then the Nats def win that deal. That WS ring ends that discussion
In 2019, Eaton hit .279/.365/.428 in 150 games and played solid defense. He was integral part of that team.
I don’t necessarily agree with the @Joey. The Nationals will not end up regretting the deal, no matter what. But the White Sox will more than likely not regret it either, whether Giolito, Lopez, or now Lynn lead to a WS win or not. They’ve already or will soon receive more value in that trio than they would have from Eaton over the course of his deal. It’s not like them trading him away cost them a World Series. This is one of those that’s a clear win-win.
And if the Sox win a WS with Giolito?
“But he wasn’t a driving force in their victory.” that is the softest piece of opinion-as-fact as I’ve ever seen. Who says this besides you?
Your logic is…. bad.. Eaton also had a big hit in each win in the NLCS… and completely dominated in a highly contested WS.. They don’t win without him.
DC didn’t have a WS for almost 100 years. Big trades that the Eaton deal are designed to win a Was and worry about the value later.. They one a WS.. White Sox fans cans crow all they want about winning the pure value.. At this point they have nothing.
you must not watch baseball. As a nat fan if turner or eaton got on that meant runs because opponents couldnt walk soto or rendon. Watch baseball
He was. I guess you dont watch baseball?
When they win a WS with Giolito.
True. But the White Sox are n a much better position to continue a long run for the WS during the next 4-6 years. The Nats have some aging pitchers and that can spell trouble. Dunning, Giolito and perhaps Lopez were your next generation. They are gone. The White Sox are loaded with talent in the pipeline. Are the Nats. Time will tell.
I think the trade the ChiSox made for Lynn is a big mistake. A 33.yr old, large & overweight fastball pitcher (can you see knee problems) like him reminds me of David Wells and his stay in White Sox world. And we all know what happened….
For the record, no Sox fans I know liked seeing Eaton leave. He was a fun player, and I was actually very happy to see him get a ring. I think the trade worked out on both ends.
@bucket. This comment is so bad it can’t be piled up on enough. Eaton got 8 hits out of 25 AB’s and scored 5 runs and knocked in 6. That’s a difference maker.
They actually have Giolito, Lopez, and Lance Lynn, which is far from nothing…
The Sox can still win the trade, but the Nationals can no longer lose.
@joeyrocafella, I love how for us fans everything is defined by whether or not a ring was won. For the owners the only metric is if revenue minus costs was higher for the year with the player vs without. But as a fan I can’t argue the ring logic. Still, it’s clear now that the Nats overpaid. And I’m a big Eaton fan but have to be honest.
The White Sox already won the trade turning Eaton into the value they did… nats won a WS directly tied to the deal, so they did also.
The point is both teams did exactly what they intended when they made the deal.. so this need to declare winners is weird.
Bucketbrew so no you think the Sox won the trade because maybe they win one in the future?
The Nationals DID win one. Its in the books. Case closed
At the time the white sox traded away Eaton, Sale and Quintana, who were all signed to cheap, long term contracts, the Central only had a declining Indians team to battle. Instead, Eaton, Sale, and Quintana all picked up WS rings with another team. Even Marcus Semiens, who they threw into the Jeff Smadj rental has made the playoffs regularly with another team. Now the Central is quickly becoming a stronger division. Don’t tell me how it didn’t cost them a World Series. They had a window wide open, but chose to rebuild.
I was happy. He was a decent player but was a dbag. He also got four very little power in a power position. And he got hurt a lot. Plus everything he brought back?! Completely content.
then it’s a real win-win then if g helps win a ws for the sox. the sox got some guys that helped on there rebuild eaton couldn’t do even if he put trout numbers. the bats got a guy that helped get them over the hump (yes he was hurt and didn’t have great reg season numbers but look at october and helped get a ring) way i look at it it was a win win for both clubs
@Bucketbrew35 Wasn’t a driving force…. Ummm him and Kendrick acted like they were driving cars after they hit home runs, shifted gears and everything… If that’s NOT the definition of driving force IDK what is… Lol
Eaton raked in October 2019
Well I guess it worked out for everyone.
Totally agree.
The fact that Eaton had a good World Series doesn’t negate the fact that the Sox will likely end up getting more value out of the deal (barring Giolito totally falling off a cliff). Obviously the Nats will take the ring though.
I think if you’re the Nats and you make that trade in 2016 and you know that Eaton is going to play 150 games with a 107 WRC+ in a year you win the World Series and that he’s going to meaningfully contribute in the playoffs, you make that trade every day. Chicago can hang a banner that they won the Eaton trade if it means that much to them.
LOL!
Sure, I agree with that. If the deal doesn’t end up helping the White Sox win a championship. you could justifiably call it a win for the Nats. Obviously a championship outweighs value, and Eaton legitimately contributed to that WS win (both in the regular season and postseason). But to look at the deal from a Sox perspective, they gave up a solid player who they really didn’t need at the time and got back a quality SP and a prospect who they just used to further improve their rotation with Lynn. Even if they don’t win a World Series, I would call it a good deal for them.
Yeah it’s a win-win.
Yeah, that’s basically my point. Value doesn’t outweigh championships by any means, but value isn’t insignificant in a trade like this one either.
Which makes the trade a win win at worst… Nats didn’t get a WS sure.. it looks bad… funny thing is.. they did and Eaton was a huge reason why.. including the WS ceiling hit in game 7.
At the time Giolito was struggling mightily, but yes you are right they would take ring over one person who isnt a Max Scherzer right now
couldnt agree any more Kirk
I don’t really think there’s a loser in this trade. Eaton helped the Nats get a ring, Giolitio has been outstanding and Dunning turned into Lance Lynn.
Yep. the only reason why nats did this was giolito was trash with them
One year of Lance Lynn!
Does Drake LaRoche come along as part of the package?
A trade is where both teams think they are getting talent that will help them win. Nationals got that with Eaton who played superbly in WS and they ended up winning. White Sox are hoping for more of the same with Giolito and rest. It is perfectly fine if a trade works out for both teams. This constant need to declare one team winner and another a loser is just getting ridiculous.
WHite Sox fans seem to need some validation on winning deals..
That trade turned out as intended for both teams.. Thats a win-win.
I guess If my team has been as futile as the White Sox, I too would find anything I can to declare a win.
Maybe winning the Eaton trade will give them an edge over the Athletics in the playoffs next year?
Futile? They made the playoffs last year and have a great young core they can contend with for years to come now that the window’s open. Nothing’s guaranteed, of course. but I guess if you need this for your ad hominem on Sox fans, go for it.
They’ve had one winning season in 9 years.
They’ve one one playoff game since 2008.
Yes, they have a great core. Yes, their “window of contention” is open. But let’s not pretend like the White Sox have had this great recent history of success.
When your team has been as abjectly terrible for the past decade as the White Sox have been, I too, would be finding anything to celebrate that I possibly can.
Oh bucketbrew … its about winning championships and the Eaton trade won a championship for the NATIONALS with help from Eaton.
This the winner of the trade is the Nationals. Get it now?
True until the White Sox win a WS or two. Then both are winners in the trade. In truth though, both got what they wanted out of the trade. so it should be considered a wash.
White Sox making moves. Good ones.
Wish I could say I agree with you, but I don’t. Trading Dunning for 1 year of a 33 year old pitcher is beyond dumb.
I agree. Not a huge fan of either of these moves. I thought the White Sox were a perfect fit for Lynn, but not at the cost of Dunning. And I think they should have aimed higher than Adam Eaton to fill RF. Springer would have been a great addition, but even Brantley would have been a significant upgrade from the potentially declining Eaton in my opinion.
I also feel that trading Dunning for an overweight 33-year-old fastball pitcher with 1 year remaining on his contract before he returns to FA is very short-sighted. We had Dunning to 2026. He was improving, and he was just off of TJ surgery/recovery. Did a very good job. And I think he will make Texas fans very happy for the next 5 years.
Lynn reminds me of David Wells (and what a disaster he turned out to be). Big and over-weight with a fastball, past 30 years of age (33 going on 34) and he has a lot of wear and tear on him. The good point is if he disappoints immensely the ChiSox are done with him at years end and can get Kopech pitching in his place. Then we can win a WS…
Does anyone think La Russa asked for LL?.
Eaton had negative value last year.
Adam Eaton and Dane Dunning cant be on the same team confirmed.
LMAO
Ha, ha!!
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO WHY CANT THE TWINS JUST MAKE A MOVE WHY
Teams that want to win in 2021:
AL Central: White Sox
NL Central: N/A
NL East: Mets, Braves
AL East: Blue Jays, Yankees (by default), Rays (as much as they ever do)
AL West: Angels (good luck with that), A’s, Astros(?)
NL West: Dodgers (by default), Padres
Nats. They arent making moves right now but I guarantee they will. They want to get back at it after a disappointing season
Teams that WILL win in 2021:
AL Central: Twins
NL Central: Cubs
Al East: Yankees
NL East: Braves
AL West: Athletics
NL West: Dodgers
The Cubs will win 3rd place
You spelled Astros wrong
I wasnt pining for Eaton to join the Twins, they have made some late moves the previous couple seasons that worked well, Cruz, Maeda and Odo trades
Do you miss Rosario???
Me, not really. I liked him on the team but haven’t seen the plan come together yet. I wasn’t bashing this Eaton signing, just replying to the person begging for Twins moves.
7 million plus a team option at 8.5? that sounds like a nice deal for Chicago
I don’t get it, why?
Probably to play the outfield.
Low cost solid player in an area where they could use an upgrade. An Engel and Eaton platoon in right would result in plus defense and solid at bats regardless of who plays that day. Really solidifies this line up across the board. I am not unhappy with these moves.
Plus defense? You must have missed Eaton in the field last season.
I was hoping for anyone (except Mazara) than Eaton.
I think many are remembering him from when he was originally on the White Sox and could even play CF. That version of Eaton is long gone. His glove is not an asset.
I was adding Engel into the math.
Am excited about the Eaton signing. Remember how many people he threw out from RF. Better defense now. Robert can cheat a bit more towards Eloy. And more speed on the bases.
I do not like the Lynn deal. 33-year-old pitchers are a risk. An injury waiting to happen.
I hate the La Russa hire as it was made to make Reinsdorf feel good about himself. It’s all about Reinsdorf…..
Springer to the black sox confirmed not to happen
Wow, nothing gets past you lol.
Apparently barfing emojis dont show up here
Ugh, this confirms that we’re definitely out for Springer.
Where’s Springer falling now? To the Mets?
Pirates.
Mets or Blue Jays.
Blue Jays will get no big name FAs
The White Sox became ZZ Top today without having to trade for Charlie Blackmon. lol
Way better options out there than Eaton!!!!
No longer can field, but perhaps his bat will bounce back. Surprised he got $7M in this environment.
I did too, actually. And that club option will never happen either. Might as well consider it a 1 year $8 million dollar deal.
Why spend this on Eaton when they could spring a little extra on Brantley…
That’s a good question. Both have some range issues at this stage, but I’d rate Brantley ahead of Eaton glove wise, and I’d be more confident in Brantley’s bat and health. Likely answer: Brantley’s cost in dollars and years is trending higher than anticipated.
Brantley has played a total of 58 innings in right-field. It makes little sense , especially for a team seeking dependability and experience at a position, to rate Brantley’s glove over Eaton’s, who has played 400 or so games in right, as a right-fielder.
I’d rather have Rosario at that cost… And who says they can’t get Brantley still.
So would I. At least you know Rosario will taken the field. All of these buy low signings over the years have blown up in Hahn’s face.
I’m not sure a singing can blow up in your face if it’s a buy low signing. Those contracts are signed with the expectation that they won’t turn into anything special. That’s the nature of a buy low.
Exactly!!
I thought he was a clubhouse cancer when he played for Sox before…
Was Sale is gone
I’ve noticed that some fans claim a player is a clubhouse cancer just because the player has a personality.
Adam is a nonconformist!
So are they just going to hit refresh on the Adam Eaton trade simulator and just keep getting future prospects for him lol.
Yes, now they will trade him for Gallo lol.
Haha so good
That’s quite large for COVID depressed market
I’m guessing they were willing to give a decent AAV to get him to sign a one year deal.
Agree. He’s old and not good. Can’t have been many suitors. Maybe they wanted to give him 5 million and he said guarantee me 8 million.
*presumed COVID depressed market. We won’t know that until the offseason is over.
I’m down. This will also allow them to play both Eaton and Engel against good LHP where defense is a priority.
Adam Eaton is back. He’s just a trade farm.
No more shifting gears with Kendrick.
Sign Kendrick!
Eaton couldn’t stay Healthy intone NL
Uninspiring.
While a healthy Eaton will represent an improvement, Eaton never stays healthy.
After gettin Lynn, who has a cheap price, they should have tried to do more to get a more reliable option than Eaton.
This could work. But just like Mazara, EE, and the other typical buy signings Hahn prefers, it very likely could be another waste of money.
But if, by miracle, they get vintage Eaton, he would give them a top-of-order option they haven’t had since. . . . Eaton.
“This could work. But just like Mazara, EE, and the other typical buy signings Hahn prefers, it very likely could be another waste of money.”
The type Hahn prefers, or the only type he’s allowed to make most of the time? I’d guess the latter. I’m fairly certain he’d prefer to sign Springer.
Next, sign Drake Laroche for bullpen coach and we’re good to go!
Reinsdorf and loyalty.
Worst owner in professional sports.
bucknerkingmansutter: Worst owner in professional sports? We Pittsburgh Pirates fans would like to introduce you to our owner.
You must forget he agreed with destroying the Bulls dynasty, hired Hawk Harrelson as a GM and surrounded himself with absolute idiots and yes men like Kenny Williams and Jerry Krause.
I have a Peter Angelos on line 1.
Which makes it even more hilarious that everyone was trying to push the “HE’S NOT LOYAL!” narrative when the LaRoche crap happened
I made a comment on the lance Lynn trade, and how the white sox got the best of the nats on the Eaton trade, especially using chips from that trade to get Lynn. This just makes that entire thing comes full circle. Lol Eaton just hasn’t produced at what it cost the nats to get him and now the nats are really paying for it. I’m sure they’d love all those prospects or even the same chips to trade for Lynn if desired. Baseball is a crazy world
The Nats made the trade to win a World Series. They won a World Series. I don’t get why fans care more about “value” than winning an effing title.
Because for fans of teams like the White Sox, it’s all they have to look forward to.
look, yes they won a title but they had a mild regular year that year and quite honestly other than that year, he wasn’t either hurt or had little impact to the team. And now the team is a train wreck and might be set up for many years of bad baseball… yes, you want a title, but it’s better to have a dynasty with multiple titles.
I watched as the Cubs defeated my Indians in 2016. Since then, we’ve made the playoffs every year except for 2019 and have had winning records every year.
I would gladly trade all that success plus our top 3 prospects right now to the Cubs for nothing except the ability to go back in time and win that one World Series.
I find it funny that Sox fans are saying they won the trade because now they have pieces to possibly make a WS run while the team they traded with actually WON a World Series. Congrats on possibly accomplishing what the Nationals already have. As someone above said, I look forward to seeing your “2016 Adam Eaton Trade Champion” pennant flying next year.
As a Giants fan, do I like where the Giants are now? Not one bit.
But most teams and fans would commit any number of federal crimes to get their team to win three championships in five years like they did.
And they’d gladly go through the aftermath and all the frustration that comes with it.
The Indians haven’t won a World Series in 70+ years; of course you’d mortgage the future for just 1
And the White Sox have won one in the last 98 years. The Nationals won their first. I guess that’s my point Priggs. Why do Sox fans think they “won” the Adam Eaton trade when the Nats have the WS title?
And the Tribe’s 70+ year drought includes two consecutive game 7 extra inning losses and two of the best teams in baseball in 1995 and 1954. Maybe I have a better perspective on how difficult winning a WS is and the value in winning one.
“And the White Sox have won one in the last 98 years”
That’s certainly one way to frame it.
“Maybe I have a better perspective on how difficult winning a WS is and the value in winning one.”
I’m not sure it’s a better perspective; it’s just a different, more desperate one. I’m sure most of us Sox fans felt the same way before 2005. It changes after you win one. The mindset is no longer “I’d do anything for just one championship.”
Ok, so if I say one in the last 15 which was preceded by an 83 year drought, that doesn’t make it like you won one yesterday. I do agree, however, that winning one takes the onus off of “finally winning one”. The Tribe hasn’t one one since before my parents were born and, yes, I’ll make due with one. The Sox have won one in your lifetime, so you don’t have that same desperation. However, you can’t seriously tell me that if the roles were reversed and the Nationals traded you Eaton in 16 and you guys won the WS in 2019 and now they were good and you sucked that you wouldn’t be thrilled. Can you?
I call bull on that statement! I’d much rather have years of good baseball and zero titles than 1 title and years of bad baseball. What an outrageous statement. Winning is winning at the end of the day, and no real sports fan wants to see their team lose. Ie I’d rather take the Braves years and years of division titles and only 1 World Series win than the Marlins years of being god awful and 2 WS wins lol
HaHaHaHa…first, they hire a racist and boozed-up manager who’s way past his managerial prime and now they sign a guy who was hated in the ChiSox clubhouse. Perfect.
And how many of those players who dislike Eaton are still on the White Sox’s current roster?
Does that even matter? The guy is a known cancer in any clubhouse.
Eaton & Lynn are both big boozers, big juicers, LaRussa is all set now. Party on!
So this keeps Robert in center and take them out of the running for Springer.
Robert was never moving from center, even if they signed Springer
Kinda surprised that a guy coming off the year he did in this environment was able to get this kind of deal. Understand they needed a left handed hitting right fielder to maybe platoon with Engel… Should be interesting to see what Eddie Rosario ends up getting in terms of money, could the white sox have made a play on him for a few extra million dollars instead of Eaton?
Rosario should get less. He was non-tendered by the Twins and cleared waivers when his estimated arbitration salary was around 8 million. So I’d be amazed if he gets a deal eaqual to Eaton’s.
I’m very surprised. I thought Eaton had burned his bridge in Chicago when he proclaimed that Drake LaRoche was a clubhouse leader and publicly took sides against KW.
Gearing up for a run at Trevor Bauer? All in for 2021?
Hey Wiff, I think they’re also gearing up for Springer and Bauer lol.
Good lord, he just turned 32?! I thought Eaton was like 37ish!
You would Bob.
I did
Is his former team leader, Drake LaRoche, coming back too!
Got to LOVE the Drake!
Hate the Drake.
Comment of the day right here, Bob Sacamano haha
Essentially, the White Sox traded Dane Dunning for Lance Lynn and Adam Eaton today and hopefully solved their two biggest needs this offseason in adding a TOR and a RF for 2021. From a historical perspective, the 2021 White Sox now have all the pieces from the original Eaton trade on their roster aside from Dunning which includes ace Lucas Giolito, RHP Reynaldo Lopez along with ‘Spanky’ back in RF.
The White Sox next move could top this if the sign free agent LHP Jose Quintana. Then the ChiSox could have all the components from their 2017 deadline deal that saw ‘Q’ traded for OF Eloy Jimenez and RHP Dylan Cease. Not too shabby and something that I suggested might happen when reports surfaced that Eaton’s 2021 option would be declined by the Nationals following the conclusion of the 2020 World Series.
Just wait till they bring Sale back at the deadline
If Chaim Bloom had his preferred way in Boston, Chris Sale might actually be a trade chip this offseason. Red Sox owner John Henry likely won’t allow Bloom to do what he would really like to do in building the Red Sox from scratch in his own image. The Red Sox are more content to reload than to rebuild in the AL East with their arch-rival Yankees always looming. That said, I could see Sale being a summer trade deadline candidate if the Red Sox are floundering and ‘The Condor” re-establishes himself in his final rehab from the TJ surgery he underwent last March.
Hate this move for the white Sox. Eaton is not liked by many of his peers. Awful year last year.
Signing Adam Eaton is not exactly the right field and left-handed bat answer I was hoping for. Would like him better coming back to the Sox as a 4th outfielder on a 1-year deal in the $2.5 million range.
I don’t get this. He clashed the last time he wore a Sox uniform. He had a dismal 2020. Even if you dismiss that and go by 2018 and 2019, Rosario was better for the same cost. This was so far from being their best option. Reinsdorf has a history of doing this, though, signing aging veterans, forgetting that they aren’t who they were at 27. Dunn, LaRoche, Griffey, Jr., and plenty more. Sox are going to regret not going for Springer.
hyrax
It’s not that the Sox will regret anything. Reinsdorf runs the show, and won’t spend. They have no real choices. As an organization, they have no chance at Springer. Or anybody that would truly put them in another category as a team.
They have 35+ M coming off the books. 45 if they replace Colome. They have so far spent 15 to address their two biggest needs. Which shows how committed to winning they are. Maybe they sign a closer to “address their needs”. Whoopee.
Lynn, ok… I’ll hold judgment. If Dunning does not excel this year and Lynn is top 10 Cy young voting again, it might be a good trade. Maybe. But Eaton makes no sense. Won’t play 100 games probably, and for all practical purposes, you can speculate that Engel might wind up the better player of the two. That’s a little pessimistic, he was OK in 2019 to be fair. But comes with personality baggage.
We’ll see. Lynn makes their rotation look pretty good if he’s right, so perhaps this will work out better than cynics like myself assume. Let’s hope so, and that they might do a few things like getting another quality reliever or two in addition to a closer. Given what 2020 has been for everybody, the Sox having a sub-par offseason is the least of everyone’s problems I guess!
I agree. Rosario made more sense to me. There are questions about his ability to play right-field regularly but his offensive numbers over the past couple of years have been much better than Eaton’s. And Rosario who have cost less. That last point means that the Sox preferred Eaton to Rosario for baseball reasons, not financial ones. For me, that makes the signing harder to understand unless you put a premium on World Series experience and a :”grinder” attitude.
How in the world did Adam Eaton net the white sox Lucas Giolito? He wasn’t ever a prospect.
Giolito at one time was absolutely a prospect, a top one at that. Other than that not sure your comment makes any sense.
I’m talking about Adam Eaton. How did the White Sox get 3 players for him?
Should’ve made it more clear. My bad.
Maybe because Eaton.. was a 6 WAR player the year before he was dealt and was controlled for only 5 years, 30M…
Maybe thats why he had trade value…
Because they turned him into a great right fielder, and Rick Hahn did a heck of a job locking him up to a cheap long term deal
The Nats gave up alot for basically player was never that good. Giolito is an ace.
You seem logical.
You’re right. Adam Eaton was never that good. Just ignore the fact that his 2016 season was almost identical to Jason Heyward’s 2015 season. You should be very familiar with that season; it’s the one that led to the Cubs paying him $184,000,000.
And Giolito didn’t turn into this until year 3 with the White Sox. It may be hard to believe because Theo tried to convince everybody otherwise, but developing pitchers is still very, very valuable.
I remember at the time Heyward signed noting how identical Eaton/Heyward were as well, but people told me there was no comparison lol. Right…
Giolito had good value at the time. He was trash with nats, and nats took opportunity and eaton helped win WS
If you are asking why the Nationals would trade Giolito, who was the previous year the top RH pitching prospect, in addition to Dunning and Lopez, it’s because they fell in love with his WAR metrics, and he had a cheap contract.
When people are critical of overrating the significance of WAR, this trade is one of the prime examples. Eaton was never really that special of a player, and he really only had two outstanding years.
“Eaton was never really that special of a player, and he really only had two outstanding years.”
At the time of the trade, he was just turning 28 and coming off 3 really strong seasons, the last one of which was worth nearly 6 fWAR. He looked like he was turning into something special after moving to RF, where he could play elite defense to go along with hitting ~20% above league average. His 2016 season with the White Sox was EXACTLY what the Cubs had just paid Heyward $184,000,000 for, and he did it at basically no cost. That’s why the Nats saw so much value in Eaton.
Not to mention the fact that Giolito’s value was trending in the wrong direction.
Eaton completely shredded his knee the first month into his nats tenure.. that month he looked like the 6 WAR guy.
Nats got a WS out of it, so the fact he didnt result in completely the guy they intended is a fine trade off..
Proof that City and 311 are not actual fans. But hey if a Cubs article comes out they’re the biggest die hard Sox fans ever. Solid move for the Sox. The Dunning trade I was not a fan of but I understand it.
Makes a great #2 hitter high OBP, can play all three OF positions and is a grinder type LaRussa player on a 1 year deal that doesn’t block the farm system. Good deal…
They don’t have anyone in the farm banging down the door. Adolfo, Gonzalez, Rutherford: none are that good.
He WAS a great #2 hitter who COULD play all three positions. He defensive metrics were terrible last year.
And now we flip Eaton to the Rangers for Dunning?
I can only hope. Trade Lynn before he goes down with an injury. David Wells returns to Chicago’s Southside as the aging bulkiness of Lance Lynn……
Lynn will be traded to a contender at the trade deadline. I still don’t believe in the White Sox, despite their improvement.
Why not? Their offense is among the best in the league from top to bottom and their rotation is solid. I don’t think it’s otherworldly, but hopefully another addition will help in terms of depth. What makes you think they’ll be out of it enough by the deadline to warrant selling off a player like Lynn?
If I had to guess, it’s because he roots for the Cubs or Twins
This is a real missed opportunity for the Sox. There are several better options out there.
Eaton’s agent outdid himself … outdid all reason. A truly preposterous contract.
Hard to believe Sox could find someone even worse than Mazara.
Crap, does this mean Quintana’s next?
“We’re getting the band back together.” -Blues Brothers. Also, Jerry Reinsdorf
Anytime the Sox pick up an Adam, I get scared. Dunn, LaRoche, and now Eaton.
Feels like a step above a bargain bin signing. They have so many bargain contracts. I really thought they’d start spending when the window opened. Go for Springer or Bauer. I should’ve known better.
No. This is absolutely a bargain bin signing. There were a number of other players available, but they would have probably cost more money.
Not a fan of this move for the White Sox, could’ve gotten a better option like Pederson for close to the same cost.
Even Bob Nightingale has to be right once in a while.
As a Sox fan, I’m not mad about this signing. I suppose I would have wanted them to aim a little higher as there were better options available. I do feel Eaton is an upgrade over Mazara so there’s that. Again though, two players in two days each for one year. What happened to long term solutions? I can only hope they’re being cautious and looking ahead to next years free agents.
Gotta wait to see final product. Eaton should be an upgrade but everything has been budget friendly so far. Not 100% sold on Bauer being an ace but he is top pitching option. Make a lockdown bullpen instead??? It worked for the Royals championships.
sign Hendricks and Hand
Maybe 2021-22 offseason is the “big splurge”?
Big splurge = Giolito extension
I like it. He can hit from the left side, can run and create havoc on the base paths. Eaton and Engel solidify out OF. If he does well, bring him back – unless a better option comes up next year.
As a lifetime Sox fan I hate all three moves. Larussa will be a bust. Don’t get it. Giving up Dane Dunning hurts due to the years of control we had and the promise he showed. I was looking forward to watching him shine for years to come. Eaton is definitely not the answer for filling right field for our contention window.
We need to spend the money and go get Bauer. That one move would catapult the team into years of legitimate contention.
I still like our core team and will be watching and hoping these moves work out. Maybe there is a couple more moves in the works.
So far, the ChiSox look like the pre season favorites of the AL Central. Adam Eaton is the best free agent RF and Lance Lynn perhaps the best SP on the trading block.
This was not a bad move by the White Sox. Eaton proved to be a great player when he stays healthy. Eaton did tear his ACL in the first month of the 2017 and dealt with an ankle injury in 2018 right after coming back from his ACL surgery. In the mean time, Eaton played well in the 2019 season then in the playoffs and the World Series. People should not even look at the Eaton’s number from ithis last season since the Nationals were going nowhere after losing Rendon to free agency and Strasburg to an injury.
I see Eaton splitting time as the right fielder with Engle and Garcia or giving a day off to Robert by playing in center field or in left field for Jimenez. Welcome back to Chicago Spanky!
If Eaton can stay healthy he is a solid addition. Staying healthy has been a problem. White Sox have made two moves to strengthen their team.
It’s a great signing…can play all 3 OF positions at average or above, LH bat with good OBP and ideally built for the 2 slot and has high baseball acumen. Seems like a LaRussa type player that will move runners over early in games and give Anderson the time to swipe a base.
Below average defensively at the corners now, very bad in center. He’s not the player White Sox fans remember from several years back. I do think his bat will rebound.
There are much better ways to waste $7 million…..
At least the White Sox are making some moves in attempt to improve the team and win this upcoming season. Move moves are coming. Can’t judge right now how these moves will eventually work out. We will see. Hopefully we have a more normal season in 2021 so we can enjoy baseball.
Welcome back!
Eaton is all washed up and nobody likes him This is a joke what a waste of money another bad signing
Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one, however, some are clean while others are dirty. Needless to say, your opinion is dirty with no substance behind it. Just a negative rant. Frazier and Eaton did not like each other for various reasons in 2016. White Sox fans loved Eaton in the three years he was here because he was a grinder.
Well, many WS fans bristled at Eaton when he made the claim that a 14 yr old was a leader in the clubhouse when he was with the Sox the first time….. enough said. Im hoping Eaton has grown up a bit, but he also seems like the kind of guy to have a big head.. which likely has swelled with a WS ring. I hope I’m wrong and he has matured.
A few of these early signings are kind of throwing that “teams are going to spend less” idea out the window it seems.
How so? This says to me the opposite. Normally the high salary guys would go first and then people would start signing the back up plans. This deal says the Sox were likely looking to make a low cost, low commitment deal.
Exactly! The White Sox are not looking to sign players looking for their pay day but guys who actually like to play baseball games and win them. After all, the White Sox locked up the core of Moncada, Jiminez and Robert while they want to bring veteran players to play around these three guys.
Well a few weeks ago options were being declined left and right for reasonable amounts it seemed. I would think that Eaton, Santana and others have outperformed expectations after that.
Adam Eaton is secretly the best player in the MLB
Now trade Tony la russa and bring someone that isn’t 120 years old
Oscar Colas is why we signed Adam Eaton. Eaton is a holdover.
soxon35th.com/2020/05/25/cuban-prospect-oscar-cola…
International signing begins in January. He’s our future RF