As the All-Star break winds down, Chris Getz has remained busy, as the White Sox have announced a series of roster moves. News broke last night that the White Sox signed Nick Senzel, but it was made official by the team today.
The White Sox also announced that they have designated Danny Mendick for assignment. However, there is a chance that Mendick clears waivers and returns to the Charlotte Knights. With all the trades on the horizon, it is not out of the question that Mendick makes a return to Chicago within the next month or so if he makes it through waivers.
But, the most baffling move of the three is the one to send Lenyn Sosa down to AAA. This makes no sense, as Sosa has shown a lot of improvement since his last stint with the White Sox.
As you can see above, Sosa had an extremely hot June and showed the potential that he’s flashed in the minor leagues over the last few years. The first few stints in the majors for Sosa did not go as planned, but during this last stint, he showed that he belongs in the major leagues for the time being, especially on this White Sox team.
On the season Sosa is hitting .237 with four homers, 15 RBIs, and three stolen bases. A cold week before the all-star break lowered his season totals, but in his last 15 games he hit .293 with two homeruns and six RBIs. That should be enough to stick around and let him continue to get an extended look.
With the moves made today, there is still an open roster spot on the 26-man roster, so it is confusing as to why they sent Sosa down. Yoan Moncada has started his rehab assignment, but the original timeline was for him to return closer to the end of July. If Moncada is coming back, then it was not necessary to sign Nick Senzel, as he likely won’t be on the team next year, and this year should be about identifying talent for the future, not the present.
There is no certainty that Sosa is in the White Sox long term plans, but this is the perfect opportunity for him to prove he belongs. Sosa can play three infield spots and the bat has shown flashes. For as bleak as the White Sox have been this season, Sosa has had some bright flashes.
Sosa is also young, as he is only 24 and he is under team control for at least the next four years. In the past, there was not a clear path to consistent at-bats for Sosa so it was hard to see what he could do in a full time role. Now, that is not the case as he could play everyday at one of three infield spots. It can really mess with a player when you send him up and down between the majors and AAA.
If this is a move to clear a spot for Moncada, it makes more sense, but there is no reason he should be rushed back, as no team is likely to trade for him due to his performance before the all-star break. The White Sox will make enough trades to open a spot for him to return without having to option a player.
There is a small chance that they are bringing up a player like Brooks Baldwin from AAA, but still very unlikely. If that were the case, it makes this move better, but it would have made more sense to bring him up and DFA Mendick instead of signing Senzel.
Regardless, I hope we see Sosa return when the White Sox inevitably clear more roster space at the deadline.
