Report: Chicago White Sox place Sanchez on outright waivers

Late last week, the Chicago White Sox spent some big money to add free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal and retain all-star first baseman Jose Abreu.

Grandal agreed to a four-year, $73 million deal Thursday, the largest contract in Sox history.

Abreu would have been back in 2020 after accepting the Sox's one-year, $17.8 million qualifying offer. That was voided Friday after he signed a three-year, $50 million contract.

The White Sox have plenty of money after spending the last three seasons rebuilding, but it looks like popular second baseman Yolmer Sanchez is going to have to shop elsewhere for his next contract.

Eligible for salary arbitration and at an expected price of $6.2 million for next season, Sanchez was placed on outright waivers Monday, according to a report in The Athletic. The move would make Sanchez a free agent and clear a spot on the Sox's 40-man roster.

Sanchez won his first Gold Glove last season, but he batted .252/.318/.321 with 2 home runs and 43 RBI. The 27-year-old switch hitter also struck out 117 times and drew 44 walks in 555 plate appearances.

Best known for his good humor and dumping Gatorade buckets on teammates, coaches and himself after walk-off hits, Sanchez has a career .244/.299/.357 slash line over six seasons with the White Sox.

The Sanchez move is not surprising, considering top prospect Nick Madrigal is expected to take over at second base for the Sox early next season.

Drafted with the No. 4 overall pick out of Oregon State in 2018, Madrigal slashed .309/.371/.398 and struck out just 21 times in 705 plate appearances over the last two years in the minor leagues.

Like Sanchez, Madrigal plays Gold Glove-caliber defense at second.