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The market for designated hitters has become less robust in recent years, but for a slugger with the consistency of Edwin Encarnacion there will always be opportunity. The White Sox secured the services of Encarnacion on Wednesday, signing him to a one-year, $12 million deal. The deal also includes a $12 million club option for 2021.
With the addition of Encarnacion, the White Sox stand to field one of the worst defensive teams in baseball. The lumbering presence of Encarnacion combined with Jose Abreu, Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, and Eloy Jimenez has the makings of a hilariously awful defense unless major changes are made. The signing of Yasmani Grandal should aid the pitching staff in Chicago greatly, but the defense behind them will likely be a much different story.
One of the pitchers who will be affected by this porous defense is Dallas Keuchel, who signed with the White Sox last week. His contact-oriented tendencies hardly match well with a defense that will likely allow a lot of extra baserunners. Keuchel was nothing special with a solid Atlanta defense at his back in 2019, so the three-year pact he signed with Chicago could look awfully ridiculous if the defense is not addressed.
Braves News
What ‘gifts’ former Braves would give each other
Former Braves exchange imaginary gifts:
Asked what gift he would give to a former teammate during this holiday season, Tom Glavine said he would give John Smoltz a Silver Slugger Award because he always thought he was the best hitting pitcher.
Informed of Glavine’s offering, Smoltz replied, “Well, I guess he forgot I already have one, so that will make two. Maybe I should get him a DVD of me accepting the award.”
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