Busy day for White Sox: Alonso acquired in trade, McCann signs one-year deal
As he left Las Vegas Thursday, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn sounded far from satisfied with the one move made at the winter meetings - acquiring starting pitcher Ivan Nova in a trade from the Pirates.
"We still have a fair amount of work to do, and even if we are able to convert on something big, there's still going to be work behind it over the coming years to get us where we need to be," Hahn told mlb.com.
The GM didn't waste any time getting back to work.
Friday afternoon, Yahoo Sports' Jeff Passan reported the White Sox signed catcher James McCann to a one-year contract, pending a physical.
Over five seasons with the Tigers, McCann hit .240/.288/.366 with 40 home runs and 177 RBI in 452 games.
While prospects Zack Collins and Seby Zavala gain another year of experience at Class AAA Charlotte, McCann moves into the backup role next season behind No. 1 catcher Welington Castillo.
Friday night, Hahn struck again.
First reported by watchstadium.com and later confirmed by a source, the Sox acquired Yonder Alonso in a trade from the Indians for a minor-league player, reportedly outfielder Alex Call.
While the motives behind getting McCann are crystal clear, the Alonso deal has some layers.
In nine seasons with the Reds, Padres, A's, Mariners and Indians, Alonso has played 879 games, 847 of them at first base.
Alonso has only been designated hitter for 7 games, so it looks like the White Sox have a logjam at first with Alonso and all-star Jose Abreu, who intensely dislikes being DH.
That's what makes the deal interesting. Alonso - who batted .250 with 23 home runs and 83 RBI for Cleveland last season - is owed $8 million for 2019 with a vesting club option for 2020 worth $9 million that includes a $1 million buyout.
With a projected arbitration salary of $17.9 million in 2019, trading Abreu would save the Sox close to $9 million.
Abreu's name has come up in trade rumors since the White Sox started their rebuild two years ago. With Alonso in the fold, moving Abreu would open up even more payroll room for the Sox to add an impact free agent like Bryce Harper or Manny Machado.
Slowed by injuries last season, Abreu batted .265 with 22 home runs and 78 RBI. From 2014-17, Abreu batted .301 and averaged 31 home runs and 103 RBI.
Another interesting point regarding Friday night's trade? Machado is married to Alonso's sister, Yainee, and both players live in Miami.
The White Sox are expected to meet with Machado and his representatives next week.