The Chicago White Sox may find themselves in the market for a veteran bat this offseason.
Outfielder A.J. Pollock, who was acquired from the Los Angeles Dodgers a few days prior to Opening Day, will be declining his $13 million player option for 2023 and will be entering the free agent pool.
Pollock will accept a $5 million buyout as a result of him opting out of his deal.
The 34-year-old hit .245 in 2022 with 14 home runs and 56 RBI.
Pollock will join a stacked class of free agent outfielders that features Joc Pederson, Andrew Benintendi, Aaron Judge, Trey Mancini, and Brandon Nimmo.
He had signed a four-year deal with the Dodgers prior to the 2019 season.
Pollock Opts Out
This of course does not mean that the White Sox won’t be able to bring Pollock back in some capacity.
But with him hitting the free agent market, the White Sox may find themselves looking for a veteran outfield bat.
There’s no indication that they will be pursuing Judge, but somebody like Benintendi or Pederson could help fill the role.
Pollock joins his White Sox teammate Josh Harrison on the free agent market.
The White Sox could also potentially take a flyer on somebody like J.D. Martinez or Brandon Drury.
Mancini could be a fit for them as well.
The White Sox finished the season at 81-81 and in second place in the American League Central, falling short of the postseason after a 93-win campaign in 2021.
Free agency will kick off on Thursday at 5 p.m. Eastern Time.
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