The White Sox have actually designated outfielder Adam Eaton for project, the group revealed. The relocation clears a roster area for another outfielder in Adam Engel, who was activated off the 10-day injured list.
Eaton only simply returned from the IL himself previously today, after missing two weeks with a hamstring stress. The White Sox had clearly seen enough from Eaton after he struck only.201/.298/.344 over 219 plate appearances, marking his 2nd straight year of subpar offending production after a similarly dull season with the Nationals in 2020.
That stated, it still counts as a little bit of a surprise to see the White Sox so suddenly cut ties with Eaton, in part since of the team is still so shorthanded in the outfield with Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez both still on the injured list. Up until those stars return (or unless the Sox make a noteworthy trade due date addition), Chicago will opt for a mix of Engel, Andrew Vaughn, Brian Goodwin, Gavin Sheets, Billy Hamilton, and utilitymen Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick as their outfield choices.
Beyond the immediate on-field effect, the Sox will now practically certainly have to consume the remainder of Eatons agreement. The outfielder tattooed a 1 year deal worth $8MM in guaranteed money ($7MM salary, $1MM buyout of an $8.5 MM club option for 2022) during the offseason, and while Eaton didnt play well in 2020, it wasnt a bad financial investment for the White Sox to make considering his above-average play over the majority of this profession. Because it appears quite unlikely that another team will declare Eaton off DFA waivers and absorb the rest of his salary, Chicagos front workplace will need to chalk the registering as a misfire.
While numerous fans longed for a more substantive outfield addition last winter, the clubs strategy of having Robert, Jimenez, and an Eaton/Engel squadron in the outfield (with Vaughn in the wings as an outfield/first base/DH candidate) appeared at least good on paper, though injuries rapidly altered the circumstance. The White Sox have still build a big lead in the AL Central even in spite of all their injury problems, however the outfield clearly appears like an area of need heading into the trade due date.
Since another group would just have to pay Eaton the prorated minimum income, it appears probable that the veteran will land someplace else once he clears DFA waivers and is cut loose by the White Sox. Speculatively, a go back to Washington may not be out of the concern, as the Nationals require outfield assist with Kyle Schwarber sidelined by a hamstring injury.