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Chicago white sox magic number 20216/6/2023 ![]() He leads NL position players in both fWAR and bWAR, ranking fourth in adjusted OPS and tied for first in hits, total bases and runs scored. The season is not even a month old, but if ever a player looked destined to win an MVP at this early juncture, it’s Acuña, who is still just 25. Playing center, he could not be timid or tentative. Acuña knew by that point he was fully recovered from his July 2021 surgery to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. Some Braves people believe that playing center field for Team Venezuela in the World Baseball Classic helped Ronald Acuña Jr. The White Sox might want to try winning some games. The narrative is trending toward uncomfortable. At that point, the Sox might as well move Cease, who is represented by Scott Boras and unlikely to sign a contract extension before free agency. Then again, if the White Sox again decide to go backward, trading one or more of the players with club options for 2024 would amount only to a half-step. Such a conclusion, though, logically should lead to an increase in payroll, and good luck convincing Reinsdorf of that if business suffers because this year’s team stinks. Trading only the potential free agents would make sense if Reinsdorf thinks the team can contend next season. As if that’s not enough, Jiménez is in a deep slump, while Moncada is dealing with a protruding disc that is in contact with a nerve, and likely will be out several more weeks. Third baseman Yoán Moncada (control through ‘25) and Eloy Jiménez (‘26) are growing expensive, and neither is on the field enough for the Sox to get much in return. Luis Robert Jr., under club control through ‘27, would be interesting if he could get it together. Players under multi-year control beyond this season: The big prize would be right-hander Dylan Cease, who has two years of salary arbitration remaining.Trading any of them essentially would be a step toward conceding 2024. So does reliever Kendall Graveman, who will be in the final year of his deal. Players under club control through next season: Anderson, Hendriks and right-hander Lance Lynn all fit into this category, thanks to club options on their contracts.Except for Giolito, none would bring much in return at his current level of performance. Potential free agents: This group includes right-handers Lucas Giolito and Mike Clevinger, relievers Reynaldo López and Keynan Middleton, catcher Yasmani Grandal and second baseman Elvis Andrus. ![]() If the White Sox sell, their trade candidates essentially will fall into three buckets: ![]() But barring a rapid turnaround, the deadline will force the team’s hand. ![]() The White Sox, then, could end up caught in between, the worst possible position for any club, particularly one trying to regain its footing under a new manager, Pedro Grifol, and coaching staff. But he also does not seem eager to build up, considering he reduced his Opening Day payroll from $193 million in 2022 to $181 million this season. Reinsdorf, 87, might not want to tear down, not when he thought the bad times were behind him. White Sox fans have someone to blame, but not something to believe in And now, their window appears to be slamming shut, putting owner Jerry Reinsdorf in a bind. Their competitive window opened in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, when, thanks to an expanded format, they made their first of two consecutive postseason appearances. What happens if the White Sox fail to turn it around?
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