Segura Versus The Field: The Choice Is Clear For The White Sox

As the holiday season rolls along, a glaring need sits atop White Sox fan's offseason wish list. A new second baseman. 

The White Sox have needed a remedy at second base for the last three seasons. They tried former first-round pick Nick Madrigal, but his short White Sox tenure got derailed by injuries. Rick Hahn then traded for Cesar Hernandez, but his offense deteriorated after a promising start to the season. Hernandez hit just three home runs with the White Sox after blasting 18 in Cleveland earlier in the year. Next, they added a former All-Star, Josh Harrison, to solve the problem. He did an admirable job, but when he was non-tendered early in the offseason, it signaled that the White Sox were looking for an upgrade. 

Yet here we sit on December 26th, and as it currently stands, the second base job is a two-person race between Leyn Sosa and Romy Gonzalez. Both are young, and both are cheap, but neither is considered a top prospect.

Gonzalez was an 18th-round pick out of Miami in 2018. He shifted from the outfield to the middle infield last year and showed some flashes of potential. He posted a .896 OPS with 24 homers and 24 steals in Double-A and Triple-A and made his big league debut. His impressive season took him from unranked to number eight on the White Sox Top 30 prospect list, according to MLB.com. The 26-year-old is a scrappy player, but the early MLB returns were not promising. 

Gonzalez slashed .238/.257/.352 in 109 plate appearances. If this were the 2018 White Sox, give him a shot. But in the middle of the contention window, having an unproven rookie at second base and right field is not a recipe for success. 

Sosa was even worse at the plate. The White Sox's fourth-ranked prospect hit .114 in 35 MLB at-bats. Mind you that is a small sample size, but the fact remains that Sosa needs to do more to earn an Opening Day spot on the roster. He has good bat-to-ball skills, some power, and a strong arm, but his subpar range and below-average speed leave significant question marks. According to scouts, he is better suited for third base. 

Rick Hahn has to make a move if they are serious about contending. After a disappointing 81-win season, they cannot return with Sosa or Gonzalez as the second baseman and expect to be better. Trade options are available, but Liam Hendriks would likely have to be included in a deal. 

In order to hang onto their All-Star closer and improve, the front office must turn to free agency. Here is the list of remaining free agent second baseman organized by FanGraphs' wins above replacement total across 2021-22.

The only clear upgrade on that list is Jean Segura. He had a WAR that was 1.4 points higher than Harrison's and showed up in some big moments in the postseason. 

As you can see outside of Segura, it is pretty slim pickings. The next best option is Harrison. A case could be made to bring Harrison back on a cheaper deal. After a brutal start to the season, he rebounded nicely to hit .256/.317/.370 with seven home runs in 119 games. He has the versatility to play three infield positions and adds an element of speed. His teammates also praised him for his positive impact on the clubhouse. 

Having him as a utility man would have been an excellent option off the bench for new manager Pedro Grifol, assuming the team addressed second base properly. Unfortunately for Harrison, the White Sox already have money committed to Leury Garcia, so another utility player isn't necessary.

If the White Sox are not going to go out and sign Jean Segura or trade for a second baseman, Harrison should never have been non-tendered in the first place. That means the best route to take is to go and sign Segura. The two-time All-Star reached the playoffs for the first time in his 11th big league season and made the most of it, delivering some clutch hits for the Phillies en route to their first pennant in 13 years. In the National League Division Series, he batted .462 against the Braves, with two doubles and an RBI. 

The 32-year-old has remained a productive player entering his 12th season. Over the past three seasons, he has posted a .761 OPS. Last season he batted .277 with ten runs and a 104 OPS+. He does not strike out much and puts the ball in play. In 2022 he ranked in the top 88 percentile in strikeout rate and 86th percentile in whiff rate. For his career, he is a .285 hitter who would round out the bottom of the White Sox lineup nicely. 

Segura also has a good arm and ranked in the 84th percentile in Outs Above Replacement. In 2021 he ranked first in double plays, turned as a second baseman, and third in assists. He provides a threat on the base paths as well. The Phillies infielder swiped 13 bags last season and is eighth on the active list of stolen bases with 207. Adding Segura to the roster isn't an earth-shattering move. But he is a known commodity and a safe option. 

The White Sox wouldn't have to give up valuable assets in a trade or roll the dice with some unproven rookies. Most importantly, he makes the team better. Do the right thing, White Sox. Sign Jean Segura.