Chicago White Sox have two options in center field
Adam Eaton is still going to be a regular in the Chicago White Sox' starting lineup this year.
But after being the Sox' mainstay in center field during the 2014-15 seasons, it looks like Eaton is going to be filling multiple roles.
"I'll do anything," Eaton told reporters Monday at the White Sox' training camp in Glendale, Arizona. "It doesn't matter where you play me, left (field), center or right, DH, doesn't matter. I just want to win."
While he has been a very effective leadoff man for the Sox the past two seasons - Eaton has posted a combined .293/.361/.418 hitting line - the defense has been disappointing.
Eaton has the speed needed to cover the spacious ground in center, but he plays with a reckless style and frequently makes the wrong reads on flyballs.
Last July, Eaton injured his throwing (left) shoulder while attempting to make a diving catch in a game at Cleveland. He stayed in the lineup but reaggravated the injury in August.
Eaton had surgery on the shoulder the day after the season ended, and he's now able to swing the bat with no problems. Throwing is still an issue, and with the April 4 season opener at Oakland creeping up, Eaton has yet to appear in center field during Cactus League play.
On Sunday, the White Sox signed veteran outfielder Austin Jackson to a one-year, $5 million contract. Offensively, Jackson isn't quite up to par with Eaton. But he is one of the top defensive center fielders in the game and adds needed depth.
"(Jackson) can defend very well in the outfield, and in center field, so there's an opportunity to have him go out there and Eaton can move around a little bit," manager Robin Ventura said. "We do have some flexibility to get guys playing multiple positions and move around.
"Anytime you can add somebody who can play like Austin, you definitely look at it."
A six-year veteran, Jackson split last season between the Seattle Mariners and the Cubs and compiled a .267/.311/.385 hitting line with 25 doubles, 9 homers, 48 RBI and 17 stolen bases.
According to FanGraphs, Jackson was the sixth-best defensive center fielder among the 23 major-league qualifiers in 2015. Eaton ranked No. 21.
A right-handed hitter, Jackson figures to start in center against left-handed pitchers. Eaton, a left-handed hitter, batted .294 and hit all 14 of his home runs against right-handed starters last season.
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