The White Sox organization is at an interesting intersection. They have some very good pieces, but the team together is clearly not working. Chris Getz has explicitly stated that, and he plans on fixing it. It also seems that along with fixing this team, they are looking to cut payroll, of course. This means they won't likely be going after the bigger-name free agents, so they will have to do some bargain shopping. This could mean they could take some chances on players who once were good but have struggled as of late.
For a team like the White Sox, taking a chance on some players who have shown they have the talent in the major leagues could be a big payout. The contract will likely be cheap, and they could potentially filp them at the deadline, or work out an extension. Either way, it could be a win-win for the team. The Sox have done this plenty in the past with pitchers, but here they could target an outfielder that could potentially solve some issues for them.
This outfielder would be Austin Meadows. The former Tampa Bay Ray and Detroit Tiger was non-tendered a week or so ago and he is someone the White Sox should kick the tires on. The former top prospect came into the league in 2018 and had a very good rookie season. He would follow up in 2019 with a fantastic offensive season, which saw him hit .291 with 33 home runs and 90 RBIs. He would earn an all-star nod and finish 14th in MVP voting.
He had a down year in 2020, as he only played in 36 of the 60 possible games. He came back healthier in 2021 hit 27 homers and provided 106 RBIs. He would be traded to the Tigers in the offseason before the 2022 season and has only played 42 games for the Tigers due to injuries and some off-the-field personal issues. He is a candidate to bounce back and he could still produce for whatever team signs him.
This is why the White Sox should sign Meadows. He will be a cheaper, low-risk, high-reward type player. Chris Getz has said that Oscar Colas is going to start the year in AAA, which opens up a spot in right field, where Meadows conveniently plays.
When healthy and playing, Meadows provides an elite middle-of-the-order bat. He is still just 28 years old and will turn 29 during the season. He is still in the prime of his career. If Chris Getz can sign him to an incentive-laden deal with a team option for the next year, he could take over the right-field position for the Sox for the foreseeable future. If he doesn't work out, this is not a year where it will cost the Sox anything, as they can release him. We have not gotten any production from right fielders in a long time, so Meadows would only provide a likely upgrade.
Meadows is a name to follow and I would not be surprised to see a team like the White Sox pick him up.
