The Chicago White Sox signed free-agent catcher Yasmani Grandal to the largest contract in franchise history on Thursday, inking the former Brewers and Dodgers backstop to a four-year, $73 million deal:
OFFICIAL: The #WhiteSox have agreed to terms on a four-year, $73-million contract with free agent All-Star catcher Yasmani Grandal (@YazmanianDVL08). Under terms of the agreement, Grandal will receive $18.25 million per year from 2020-2023. pic.twitter.com/dczzZo8UTE
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) November 21, 2019
Yasmani Grandal's $73 million contract is the largest in White Sox franchise history.
Prior largest was Abreu's $68M.
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 21, 2019
Grandal had one of the largest markets of any free agent. With a number of teams having a need at the catching position, he presented the best option as a switch-hitter who clubbed 28 homers and drew over 100 walks while also rating as one of the best pitch framers in baseball.
The Cincinnati Reds, Toronto Blue Jays and Los Angeles Angels showed plenty of interest, but the White Sox were always someone of a sleeper candidate. Ultimately, this came down to Grandal being a much steadier option than current catcher James McCann.
McCann made the American League All-Star team only to slash .226/.281/.413 in the second half. Moreover, he rated as the worst framer among qualified catchers:
Yasmani Grandal was tied for 2nd-most Runs Extra Strikes from framing in 2019 among qualified catchers, at +13.
The White Sox primary catcher James McCann was -16, the worst mark among qualified catchers — by a lot.
So the White Sox just went from worst to T-2nd-best there…
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) November 21, 2019
The White Sox are not playing around this winter. With youngsters like Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada and Eloy Jimenez all emerging as future stars and a deep farm system including the likes of Nick Madrigal and Luis Robert, the South Siders are ready to swing the scales in Chicago.
Not to mention, Grandal should be an instrumental force in helping the pitching staff. The White Sox watched Lucas Giolito blossom into a Cy Young candidate, and they get flamethrower and top prospect Michael Kopech back after he missed all of 2019 rehabbing from Tommy John surgery.
Grandal bet on himself, and it paid off in a big way. One year after the New York Mets offered him four years and $64 million, he will earn an extra $9 million in guaranteed money over the life of this contract.
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