The White Sox and outfielder Brett Phillips are in agreement on a deal, reports Mark Feinsand of MLB.com. It’s a minor league pact, per Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. He’ll make $1.2MM if he makes the big leagues, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
Phillips, 30 in May, has appeared in each of the past seven big league seasons. He hasn’t hit much in that time but has provided value with his speed and defense. His career batting line is .187/.272/.347, which translates to a wRC+ of 71, indicating he’s been 29% below average overall. But he has 39 stolen bases in 45 attempts and excellent grades for his glovework: 41 Defensive Runs Saved, 32 Outs Above Average and a grade of 24.5 from Ultimate Zone Rating.
Around this time last year, Phillips signed with the Angels on a one-year deal that paid him $1.2MM. He didn’t get much playing time in an outfield that featured Mike Trout, Taylor Ward and Hunter Renfroe in regular roles, with Mickey Moniak also pushing for a larger role. Phillips was outrighted off the roster in mid-May, having received just 15 plate appearances in that time, utilized mostly as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. He went to Triple-A and hit .230/.352/.366 over 264 plate appearances, leading to a 79 wRC+. He was added back to the big league roster in September but was outrighted again after the season.
The White Sox currently project to have an outfield of Andrew Benintendi, Luis Robert Jr. and Óscar Colás. Eloy Jiménez will likely be in the designated hitter slot most days but factoring into the outfield mix at times as well. In terms of bench/depth options, Gavin Sheets is also on the roster, though he’s considered a poor defender. Zach Remillard and Romy González can play a bit of outfield but are primarily infielders.
Having a glove-first outfielder on the bench would be a logical move for the club, especially since Colás didn’t receive strong grades for his glovework in his debut season. Jiménez is also considered weak on defense, which is why he’s likely to be the primary DH. Phillips could perhaps help the club bolster its defense late in games or do some pinch running from time to time. If he is added to the roster at any point, he is out of options and can’t be sent back down to the minors without being exposed to waivers.
Right field solved!
Replacement for Roberts in CF, once traded.
They won’t trade LRJ.
Very happy to see this. Go Sox
I hope he makes the team. Baseball is more interesting to watch when Brett is in the game.
I’m not upset with this move. Brett isn’t that bad.
He fun. Baseball is fun. Good times ahead!
Oh boy! He’ll fit in quite well with the other super stars Getz signed.
And the rebuild continues…
Yes, only if Cease and Robert is gone.
Cuz its not a rebuild if you only change 38 of the 40 on the roster.
Hopefully it’s a minor league deal
It is a minor league deal but I will not be shocked if this guy makes the opening day roster. He’s one of those ex-Royals that “play the game the right way” according to the great manager, Pedro Grifol.
it was updated after I posted. He isn’t a bad player plays hard, but unfortunately can’t hit.
So you’re saying he’ll fit right in!
He can be a 4th outfielder/defensive replacement/ pinch runner and not complain about being sent down. He knows that’s his role and a clubhouse guy.
Nothing against Phillips, but does Getz only have connections and knowledge, of players who have at one time, have once been associated to the Royals?
Rex: Getz’ plan is to concentrate on defense and speed. No mention of offense, which his signings have shown. If a player hits under .200, sign him up! I’d just like to know what good speed is if you never get on base?
He’s has good speed, pretty much a defensive replacement/ pinch runner. Has all the tools except the bat.
Yet another all-glove, no-bat signing. Half of the Sox’ runs this year will be on Eloy and Robert HR’s. But at least the ball won’t be kicked around as much, which may make their pitchers look better as trade bait.
Have you seen the guys they have added? Can’t field all the balls thrown and balls going over the fence.
Not really sure how you thought I meant they’d allow no runs. And yeah, control will probably continue to be a problem for the pitching staff, but most teams, including the Sox were within 20 HR surrendered of the median. And we all know GRF is a little HR-friendly. I blame the walks and bad defense more for the runs they gave up than this extra HRs.
My point was, how many times the last couple years has a Sox pitcher cruised into the 5th with a lead, only to have Vaughn or TA or someone else make an error or badly misplay a ball, leading to a 3-run inning? Sox won’t score much and will lose a lot, but tidying up the defense helps with morale, with starters going longer (which helps the BP not be overused), and can help them work around some of those free passes.
Yeah, I at least look forward to seeing clean baseball, even if they lose 10-0.
hyrax: Don’t forget that crap of a bullpen which blew more leads than I can count.
You do have a point. Improved defense usually gives you a few extra wins even with terrible offense.
World Series here we come!
I love Brett Phillips so much, that this signing makes up for the indecisiveness of the entire industry.
Maverick!
He can be counted on to hit .170, but provide excellent base running and glove work.
Datashark: If he hits .170 what good is it to have speed if you rarely get on base?
for one it was sarcastic, but if a team has a space for a defensive /pinch runner type then he meets those needs
They’ll use him as a pinch hitter.
Hopefully my boy brings some happiness to a team that’s ailing
Airplane!
This dude is unable to hit his weight. Given it’s the White Sox, he may be on the roster for 2024.
BANG
Considering they carried Billy Hamilton twice in the last 3 years Phillips probably looks like Joe DiMaggio to them. Maybe Getz should see what Lance Johnson or Darren Lewis is up to these days. Heck Mike Devereux or Lyle Mouton would be offensive upgrades compared to what they currently have
Rsox: I love Billy Hamilton. His defense was better than Robert’s. He was on the team when they had players who could actually hit. As a PR he often took an extra base with his speed. His enthusiasm was also off the charts.
Billy! Billy!
They might get better odds if they bring in a ruffian where their primary purpose is to charge the mound to wrangle with other team’s top pitcher, that also livens the crowd too.
Robin Ventura might be available!?!
They would need someone who does not get smackdown by a 40 year old
That was a joke, son. Maybe one day they’ll explain sarcasm to you in school.
Colas is tabbed for Charlotte in 2024 per Getz.
Minor league deal. Will help out the AAA pitchers by having someone who can play defense! Don’t care about the options, if someone clams him, they have to pay him.
Yes!!! Another X-Royal who in 3 years with KC hit .178. Things just keep getting better! Thanks! Getz! Welcome to KC North!!
Or The Chicago Royals. In his time with KC, Getz ran their farm system into the ground. With those kind of credentials jr hired him and he did the same thing with the Sox farm system. That’s the kind of performance that gets you promoted to GM in jr-world.
The White Sox seem to be building a roster designed to tank 2024 despite bringing in Chris Getz without interviewing anybody else because of an urgency to contend.
I’ve been a White Sox fan for decades and I genuinely have no plans go to any games next year.
Yes.
The White Sox should be concentrating on competing in MLB’s weakest division in 2024 while also prioritizing winning even more beginning in 2025. This could be accomplished with a less stingy owner and an experienced GM.
Instead, the White Sox front office is striving to be bad in 2024 despite the fact that tanking has become more difficult with MLB’s new draft lotto. Because of another anti-tanking clause in the CBA, the White Sox will be ineligible to pick in the Top 10 in the 2025 draft no matter how bad their record is next season.
Gonzales hurt his arm in May and was out for the year.
Rightfield is a different throwing than second base so Gozsles is not a rightfielder.
Most underrated organization and stadium in all of MLB, if not all of sports.
Stadium? Yes. Organization? No. As a life-long Sox fan, I’m considering watching soccer, cricket or pro cycling.
Should fit right in. Can’t hit.
He has good speed but it’s not football.
Sox offseason keeps rollin along with another quality FA signing!
Analytics say he his average should surpass his weight this year of .190
The only thing that can bring joy to that clubhouse is his laugh!
With every move this off season, it’s obvious the Sox are trying to suck.
This signing is depth piece either in the majors or the minors. White Sox depth chart for OF is thin ice so minor league deals should not panick anyone tbh. Yes they will suck in 2024 but adding depth is never a bad thing.
They did that when they weren’t trying.
No idea how this guy continues to get jobs.
Cause he fun
Who’s laughing now?
The Airplane has landed! Welcome to Chicago sir goofy!