White Sox Reach Tentative Deal With Veteran Shortstop
The White Sox have seemingly found their replacement for Tim Anderson at shortstop. At least in 2024. Jon Heyman was the first to report that the White Sox are nearing a deal with Paul DeJong. USA Today’s Bob Nightengale added that DeJong reached a “tentative agreement on a one-year major-league contract with the White Sox” and that he will undergo a physical on Monday.
DeJong is a former All-Star who split time between the Cardinals, Blue Jays, and Giants last season. The 30-year-old would provide the White Sox with a bridge at shortstop until Colson Montgomery is MLB-ready and is presumably cheaper than picking up Tim Anderson’s $14 million club option.
DeJong fits Chris Getz’s vision of a better defensive team. He and Lopez up the middle should significantly improve the White Sox defense. DeJong has excellent range and is a sure-handed fielder.
Last season he had a Fielding Run Value of 7 which placed him in the MLB’s top 84th percentile. He also had nine Outs Above Average which placed him in the league’s 94th percentile. In 2019 DeJong led NL shortstops in assists, double plays turned, and fielding percentage.
However, his offensive deficiencies are hard to overlook. He had a -0.5 WAR last season and was released by the Blue Jays just 13 games after they traded for him. His -21 Batting Run Value was also in the league’s bottom two percentile while his expected batting average, expected slugging percentage, average exit velocity, strikeout rate, and walk rate all ranked in the bottom third of qualified MLB hitters.
DeJong slashed .207/.258/.355 last season with 14 home runs and 38 RBIs. He has yet to hit above .250 since his rookie year in 2017. He has also yet to produce an OPS+ over 100 since 2018.
The seven-year MLB veteran owns a career .229/.299/.417 slash line with 116 home runs, 344 RBIs and an OPS+ of 92. His All-Star season came in 2019 when he hit 30 home runs and drove in 78 RBIs for the Cardinals.