UPDATE:
The #WhiteSox have been publicly linked to free agent SS Ian Desmond, but one White Sox official said Thursday: "That ship has sailed.''
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) February 12, 2016
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The Chicago White Sox did most of their offseason work on the MLB trade market in acquiring third baseman Todd Frazier and second baseman Brett Lawrie. However, their final offseason act, according to the latest rumors, could take place in free agency.
Jon Heyman is reporting the White Sox are "considering" free-agent shortstop Ian Desmond. Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com also confirmed Heyman's report.
"Desmond -- whom the White Sox have reportedly kept tabs on along with Dexter Fowler -- has averaged 3.8 f-Wins Above Replacement the past four seasons and would provide a surefire solution to one of the team's biggest question marks," Hayes writes.
The veteran has long been viewed as a fit for Chicago and was even linked to them in rumors earlier this offseason, but the team has been reluctant to be aggressive in free agency after their spending spree last year.
They've spent just $9.5 million this time around on Dioner Navarro, Alex Avila and Mat Latos.
However, that may change. Although Desmond rejected the Washington Nationals' qualifying offer and is currently tied to draft pick compensation, it'll only cost the White Sox the 28th overall pick (which they received when Jeff Samardzija signed with the San Francisco Giants) in the 2016 MLB Draft because their No. 10 overall pick is protected. Such a move would allow them to put Desmond at shortstop and move Tyler Saladino into a utility role since he's known for his stellar defense rather than his weak bat.
On top of that, Desmond's price tag is likely dropping since he's gone this long without signing a contract. He had one of the worst overall seasons of his career in 2015 on both the offensive and defensive side of the ball. Although he hit 19 home runs and batted in 62 runs, he finished with a paltry .233/.290/.384 stat line in 156 games. His batting average and on-base percentage were career-lows.
Then again, he was placed in a fairly unfavorable situation as the Nationals unraveled and were considered the most disappointing team in the MLB. A change of scenery and a fresh start could help Desmond, who hit at least 20 home runs and stole at least 21 bases from 2012-2014.
The White Sox plan to be in the highly competitive AL Central, which consists of the World Series champion Kansas City Royals, the powerhouse Detroit Tigers and up-and-coming Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians.
Inserting Desmond into the middle of the lineup with Frazier, Lawrie, Jose Abreu and Adam LaRoche could potentially make Chicago a big threat in the American League.
