The Chicago White Sox are in need of some infield help and signing veteran second basemen Brendan Rodgers should be a priority for them.
The Chicago White Sox for all their efforts so far this winter have had a solid off season. Making some minor moves like adding to their catching depth by trading for veteran catcher Matt Thaiss with their crosstown rival the Chicago Cubs, as well as signing veteran outfielder Austin Slater to a one-year deal.
To continue those efforts of adding veterans who the White Sox can hope to move at the deadline next year to help better their roster further, I believe they should look to sign veteran second basemen Brendan Rodgers, who was non-tender by the Colorado Rockies earlier this off season.
Brendan Rodgers
The 28-year-old Rodgers was just recently non-tendered by the Colorado Rockies earlier this winter. Rodgers was projected to make around $5.5 million in arbitration this year according to MLB Trade Rumors. The focus of some trade rumors per ESPN’s Jeff Passen, the Colorado Rockies who seemingly had no takers for someone of Rodgers talents decided to release him making him an unrestricted free agent.
The former Gold Glover played in 135 games for the Colorado Rockies last season where he had a solid season. Coming up to the plate for a total of 501 at-bats Rodgers had 134 hits, 29 doubles, 1 triple, 13 HRs, 54 RBI, 31 BBs, 132 strikeouts for a slash line of .267/.314/.407 for an OPS and OPS+ of .721 and 94.
Brendan Rodgers would provide Depth and Experience to a Young White Sox team
The White Sox are entering yet another rebuilding stage for the second time in ten years. With the White Sox expressing that they want to start playing some of their prospects and are looking to sign players who have “bounce-back” potential Brendan Rodgers would fit that mold. As it shakes out the White Sox have needs at both shortstop and second base which is where Rodgers has a ton of experience playing.
In 2024 Brendan Rodgers spent all of his time at second base where he started 124 games there (132 total) for 1093 innings where he had helped turn 89 double plays and had a .985 fielding percentage. For his career at shortstop Rodgers has logged around 220.2 innings with a .967 fielding percentage.
Current options for the Middle Infield
Currently according to FanGraphs they project that Lenyn Sosa will be the starting second basemen out of Spring Training. Sosa has the edge over most of the players vying for a starting job being that he should he was able to hit last season.
In 100 games with the Chicago White Sox last season Lenyn Sosa had 89 hits, 13 doubles, 8 HRs, 35 RBI, with a slash line of .254/.283/.359 with and OPS and OPS+ of .642 and 84. The one statistic that stands out when looking at his Baseball Savantpage is that he ranks in the 99th percentile for LA Sweet-Spot% at 42.2%. Along with Sosa other who will most likely be competing for the second base job are Brooks Baldwin, Colson Montgomery as well as Chase Meidroth who was also brought over in the Garrett Crochet trade.
Chase Meidroth will figure to be another option for the Chicago White Sox to have for playing either shortstop or second base. Currently ranked as the Chicago White Sox #13 prospect is in my opinion the most exciting player coming into spring training. His grades when looking at his Baseball Savant just don’t do him justice because all indicators point to Meidroth being a really good hitter at the Major League level.
Last season in Triple-A for the Boston Red Sox Meidroth played in 122 games where he had 128 hits, 20 doubles, 3 triples, 7 HRs, 57 RBI, having 105 walks while only striking out 71 times, for a slash line of .293/.437/.401 for an OPS of .838. The thing that stands out for Meidroth is that strikeout to walk ratio, that show a good eye for the ball and the reason for the high average and OBP. Meiroth has a really good shot if all goes well to win the position out of spring training.
Why Brendan Rogers would be a good Signing
Signing Brendan Rodgers can only benefit the Chicago White Sox. Rodgers still young enough to where he hasn’t really entered his prime yet and can still get back to be a solid player. And if Brendan Rodgers performs well or to his career averages he would be a good “bounce-back” type of player for the White Sox to sign in order to trade him for a valuable prospect at next years deadline.
Given Rodgers market is as cold as it is and the Colorado Rockies didn’t want to give him a the $5.5 million he was owed in arbitration, I believe the White Sox have an opening to getting Rodgers on a cheap deal. I think obviously a one-year deal is in order for somewhere in the ballpark of $3.5 million would get the job done.
