The White Sox have positioned infielder Nicky Lopez on waivers, experiences Kiley McDaniel of ESPN on X. There hasn’t been something to recommend he has been designated for project, so he stays on the roster and may proceed to play for the membership whereas the waiver course of performs out. Nonetheless, the waivers are irrevocable, so he can be altering jerseys if somebody does put in a declare.
Gamers claimed previous to September 1 are playoff-eligible for his or her new membership. Groups out of competition can be inserting gamers on waivers now within the hopes that another person will put in a declare and subsequently tackle the rest of the participant’s contract, whereas giving the participant the prospect to play extra significant video games. Gamers like Michael A. Taylor of the Pirates, Drew Smyly of the Cubs, Tommy Pham of the Cardinals and others have reportedly been made obtainable this month.
The White Sox are the crew within the majors furthest from competition. Their 31-104 report interprets to a .230 profitable share, placing them within the working to complete as one of many worst golf equipment within the trendy period.
Lopez, 29, came to visit to the membership as a part of the November commerce that despatched left-hander Aaron Bummer to Atlanta. He has usually served as a light-hitting utility man in his profession and that has continued throughout his time on the South Aspect. He has a line of .238/.310/.290 this 12 months, which ends up in a wRC+ of 73. That’s roughly according to his profession line of .247/.311/.314, which additionally results in a wRC+ of 73.
On protection, he’s able to enjoying all 4 infield positions and has additionally seen a while in left discipline. His grades have been robust in every single place he’s performed. Oddly, he has -10 Defensive Runs Saved in simply 281 2/3 shortstop innings this 12 months, however that feels anomalous since he has been roughly league common in about 2,000 innings other than that. Outs Above Common has given him a large +34 rating at quick in his profession, which additionally feels odd since that’s largely resulting from an enormous +25 grade in 2021, however he’s nonetheless higher than par when ignoring that.
The Sox can retain him for subsequent 12 months by way of arbitration however they’re doubtless leaning in the direction of a non-tender at this level. He’s making $4.3MM this 12 months and could be due a elevate, for the reason that arbitration system successfully all the time pushes salaries northward. That’s some huge cash for a job participant when the latest offseason noticed guys like Enrique HernHernándezndez, Adam Duvall, Randal Grichuk, Amed Rosario, Paul DeJong and the aforementioned Taylor signal for $4MM or much less.
There’s roughly $700K remaining to be paid on Lopez’s wage this 12 months. If any contender feels particularly in want of a glove-first improve to their place participant combine, they will seize Lopez off the wire. The precedence goes in reverse order of standings, however groups exterior of competition received’t have motivation to seize him.