Previous to the 2022 season, the Chicago White Sox acquired AJ Pollock from the Los Angeles Dodgers in trade for Craig Kimbrel. Pollock was a welcome addition to fill a perennial place of want, proper subject. The veteran outfielder was coming off a season wherein he posted a .892 OPS. Nonetheless, the Sox didn’t get close to that stage of manufacturing from Pollock in 2022.
AJ Pollock: Regarded Good on Paper
Pollock was believed to be the beginning proper fielder however solely logged 14 video games on the place, as an alternative spending many of the season in left. A litany of accidents to outfielders, particularly Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert, necessitated that Pollock swap corners. The then-34-year-old, who was effectively previous his Gold Glove days, was roughly common defensively. Sadly, common was an enchancment within the case of the White Sox.
Total, Pollock was not pretty much as good of an acquisition in apply as he was on paper. He had a below-average yr on the dish and didn’t produce near his 2021 output in Los Angeles. His OPS dipped by over 200 factors and he hit seven fewer homers in 100 extra at-bats.
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Picture: Kamil Krzaczynski/USA TODAY Sports activities
Fortunately for Pollock, he performed in 138 video games, permitting him to hit some escalators in his participant choice for 2022. Nonetheless, he took the $5 million buyout and walked away from the South Aspect following the season. The veteran outfielder leaves $8 million on the desk however enters free company with $5 million already in hand.
Closing Grade: C-
What’s On Faucet Subsequent?
AJ Pollock won’t return to the Chicago White Sox after opting out of his contract. He’ll enter free company at 35 years of age in hopes of recouping the cash left on the desk with the Sox. He’ll probably attempt to signal with a contender for one final shot at a title.
In the meantime, the White Sox will as soon as once more look to fill the nook outfield void this offseason. MLB’s Winter Conferences are underway, and Rick Hahn and co. ought to be busy rounding out the roster. Whether or not that actually happens stays to be seen.
