The Chicago White Sox may ironically be the ones taking themselves out of the market for a marquee outfield talent this offseason.
According to a report on Friday by Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports, the club is interested in signing free agent outfielders Alex Gordon or Yoenis Cespedes, but only on a deal for three years or less.
The Chicago #WhiteSox want to sign free agent OF Alex Gordon or Yoenis Cespedes, but only if they're willing to take 3-year deal or less.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) January 1, 2016
With both players bringing All-Star-level bats and Gold Glove-caliber defense to the table, general manager Rick Hahn and Co. may be living in a bit of a fantasy world here.
Though it’s a smart strategy with Gordon pushing 31 and Cespedes at 30, we’re seeing free agents prioritize long-term security to an increasing extent this winter. Surveying the local landscape, 26-year-old Jason Heyward was the first domino to fall amongst this year’s elite outfield talents. Though he came at a semi-affordable cost of a $23 million average annual value, it still took the Cubs an eight-year deal to sign him. On the other end of the age spectrum, even 34-year-old Ben Zobrist managed to coax a four-year deal out of these same Cubs.
It’s not like Gordon or Cespedes don’t have options that might be able to provide them with a longer-term contract either. While Gordon might not return to the Royals, the Cardinals and other suitors have been knocking on his door. Meanwhile, the Orioles have been amongst the teams mentioned recently as competitors of the White Sox for Cespedes’ talents.
The White Sox can afford to be conservative after landing Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie already this offseason. But if they want to bolster their below-average outfield as it currently stands, they’ll probably have to do better than a three-year offer.
Image Credit: Peter G. Aiken-USA TODAY Sports
H/T Rotoworld
