The White Sox made a significant early strike toward upgrading their roster for 2020 and beyond, agreeing to terms on a four-year, $73-million contract with free agent All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal.
Grandal will receive $18.25 million per year from 2020-2023 in what is the richest contract in Sox history.
Grandal, 31, is a highly-rated pitch framer who batted .246/.380/.468 with career highs of 28 home runs, 77 RBI, 79 runs scored and 109 walks over 153 games with the Brewers in 2019. He was named to his second National League All-Star Team.
A switch-hitter, Grandal ranked fourth in the major leagues last season in walks and ranked among the catching leaders in on base percentage (first), games played (first), extra-base hits (second, 56), total bases (second, 240), RBI (tied for second), homers (third) and slugging (third).
“Yasmani ranks among the very elite catchers in Major League Baseball today, and we are extremely happy to add a durable and talented player of his caliber to our lineup,” general manager Rick Hahn said in a statement. “His selectivity at the plate is a real plus offensively, and as a switch hitter, his combination of power and on-base percentage stand out. Yasmani’s defensive abilities, pitch framing and other advanced catching metrics also separate him from others in the game.”
The Sox also have All-Star catcher James McCann, a right-handed hitter under contract control through 2020. Depending on who the Sox add this offseason — Hahn has targeted starting pitching, a right fielder and designated hitter as top offseason needs — Grandal and McCann could also be used as a DH.
“In addition to what he brings to the field, Yasmani is also a great benefit in the clubhouse,” Hahn said. “We foresee him playing an integral role on both the further development of our young pitchers and the continued improvement of our offense as we reach our championship goals.”
Said Grandal: “My family and I are very excited and honored to be a part of the Chicago White Sox organization. “I loved their professionalism, preparation and vision towards the future. I want to thank them for allowing me to be a part of this process moving forward.”
Grandal leads all major-league catchers with 117 home runs since 2015 and ranks third during that span with 322 RBI.
Sox vice president Ken Williams, talking to reporters at the Owners Meetings in Arlington, Texas, told ESPN’s Jeff Passan, “This was all planned going back five years ago when we started this and started thinking about this, we’d get ourselves in position with our young core and augment it with guys like this. Clearly we’re trying to put ourselves in a window that could start next year and extend to the next five to seven years.”
To make room for Grandal on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated outfielder Daniel Palka for assignment.
