The White Sox signed Nick Maton to a minor league deal in late November, as indicated by the infielder’s MLB.com profile page. Aram Leighton of Just Baseball Media (X link) writes that Maton’s contract an invitation to Chicago’s big league Spring Training camp.
Maton played in 179 games with the Phillies and Tigers over his first three Major League seasons, but he made just five appearances with the Orioles in 2024. Baltimore acquired Maton from Detroit last February, and Maton then spent the season bouncing on and off the Orioles’ 40-man roster. Maton was designated for assignment and then outrighted on three separate occasions, and he also spent about a month on the injured list at Triple-A Norfolk.
Between the roster shuffling and the injury absence, Maton was quite productive at the Triple-A level, hitting .258/.363/.471 with 16 homers in 344 plate appearances for Norfolk. This marks the third straight season that Maton has posted strong numbers against Triple-A pitching, and he carried that momentum forward to the MLB level in 2022, posting an .855 OPS in 85 PA with the Phillies.
The Tigers were intrigued enough to bring Maton to Detroit as part of a five-player trade in January 2023, but Matt Vierling ended up being the much more productive utility option for the Tigers in both 2023 and 2024. Maton struggled to a .173/.288/.305 slash line in 293 PA with Detroit, then had an arthroscopic knee surgery last offseason.
As he enters his age-28 season, Maton should have plenty of opportunity to break camp with a White Sox team that needs help all over the diamond. Maton’s ability to play second base, third base, shortstop, and both corner outfield slots makes him an interesting candidate for bench or part-time duty, and his left-handed bat could complement Lenyn Sosa and Miguel Vargas (both righty swingers) at second and third base in particular. The White Sox will give Maton a look in camp and see if he’s a fit, though keeping him as an organizational depth piece could be complicated by the fact that Maton is out of minor league options.
Nice addition to the Sox, Maton and Ramos fill out the infield, expect Montgomery to be up this season whether he is ready or not. Vargas also in the infield mix.
Uncertain about Brooks Baldwin, Fangraphs has him as our starting SS to enter the season.
Benintendi, Robert and I’d say Maton and Slater in the OF. I’d like to see them sign Harrison Bader and trade Luis Robert, but only if they can get a nice return.
lol
It’s had to see a player like this as anything other than an inexpensive placeholder until some major league-caliber player comes along. The Sox apparently love players like this, but their continued preference for cast-offs and major league wannabes makes one wonder if this really is a rebuild or simply a capitulation.
I agree, that’s why I like it. They are still in demolition mode on this rebuild, no point in signing anybody of significance. Awaiting the trades of Vaughn, Robert and Benentendi to be honest, and of course Crochet, and then we will really have a complete team of cast-offs and wannabes and that is exciting as a Sox fan.
Why not, need more bodies for tryouts…
Exactly. Still, I think this is just one of those AAAA-depth moves. But GOOD LUCK to ex-Tiger “Wolfie”!
Wolfie!
Yessss!! Huge move. Will be well received in Chicago. Maybe even nickname him the Second City Saint like CM Punk
Vargas was horrible last season. Sosa not much better. Both need to go….
Deck chais until dirt nap.
Once again the sox become the dumping ground for everyone’s reject
Hope he stays healthy and puts it together,
They signed the wrong brother…..
One of the worst MLB bats I have ever seen!
He’ll fit right in.
Looks like a Seager doppleganger