With Eaton in the fold, who is next on Sox' contract extension radar?
So, who's next?
The White Sox continue to lock up rising young talent to long-term contract extensions, with center fielder Adam Eaton agreeing to a five-year deal Friday. Add on two club options to the end of the contract and Eaton could very well be in a Sox uniform until 2021.
If Eaton continues to hit .300 - like he did last year in his first season with the White Sox - and if he continues to get on base at a .362 percent clip like last year, and if he continues to cover above average ground in center, the $25 million guaranteed over the next five seasons is going to be a very good deal for the White Sox.
It's also a good deal for Eaton, who plays with a reckless style and now has financial security in the event of a serious injury.
"There's always risk in all of these," Sox general manager Rick Hahn told reporters Friday. "Every time we sat back here in spring training and talked about a long-term deal with one of our guys, we've talked about risk, and Adam is no exception.
"Certainly his style of play and his size lend themselves to injury. That said, I think he has become a smarter player in the last year."
Eaton joins Jose Abreu, Chris Sale and Jose Quintana as key White Sox players with long contracts.
Abreu is signed through 2019, Sale has three more years on his deal with club options for 2018 and '19, and Quintana has four more years with two club options.
"When you have premium talent such as Chris Sale, Jose Quintana or Adam Eaton on a deal, it gives you some certainty and a great deal of value, and you're able to reallocate other resources to address other needs," Hahn said. "Adam specifically said that was important to him.
"It was one of the many considerations he undertook, that it puts us in position where it does give us that flexibility and puts us in a position where we can use our funds toward other needs when they arise."
Abreu is owed a very reasonable $61 million over the next five years, Sale is owed $27.15 million over the next three years, and Quintana is another great value over the next four seasons at roughly $19 million.
As the White Sox continue targeting talent to extend, keep an eye on these players:
Jeff Samardzija: The team's new starting pitcher avoided salary arbitration Jan. 16, agreeing to a one-year, $9.8 million contract. Samardzija is eligible for free agency at the end of the season, so a lot can happen between now and then.
If Samardzija is as good as expected, the Sox will want to lock him up to a long-term deal before he hits the open market and the feeding frenzy begins.
James Shields is a similar pitcher. The free agent signed a four-year, $75 million contract with the San Diego Padres in the off-season.
That looks like an offer the White Sox would be happy to extend to Samardzija at some point, assuming he pitches well.
Avisail Garcia: He missed four months in 2014 after injuring his left shoulder in early April and having surgery.
Only 23, Garcia still has a bright future, and he has altered his diet and gotten himself back into playing shape this spring.
If he stays healthy and hits near .300 with 20-plus home runs and 80-plus RBI this season, Garcia is going to get a contract extension from the White Sox.
Micah Johnson: He already has locked up the starting job at second base with a strong showing in the Cactus League.
Johnson has to go out and show he can play when the games start counting, but he has all the tools to be an impact performer and a core Sox player.
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