Some of our very own quad-A players have decided to explore the open market.
According to the MiLB.com transactions page, four White Sox players have elected free agency since the end of the 2024 season. The names include right-handed pitcher Touki Toussaint (Sept. 30), infielder Danny Mendick (Sept. 30), infielder Zach Remillard (Oct. 4), and outfielder Rafael Ortega (Oct. 10).
Of the group, Mendick has spent the most time with the team. Selected in the 22nd round of the 2015 draft, the utilityman made his debut in 2019 and proved to be a valuable depth piece over the years. His best season came in 2022 when he slashed .289/.343/.443 in 106 plate appearances, good for a 125 wRC+ and 0.8 fWAR while filling in for an injured Tim Anderson. After a stint with the Mets in 2023, Mendick returned to the South Side and struggled to hit above .200 before splitting his time with Triple-A Charlotte.
Remillard, a fellow infielder, reached the majors in 2023 after seven seasons in the minor leagues. The 30-year-old had a strong first week on the job but struggled by the end, hitting .252/.295/.320 over 160 plate appearances. That didn’t change much this past season, as he appeared in just 15 games and had a brutal time in Triple-A Charlotte, hitting a mere .146/.213/.234 across 47 games. Between Mendick and Remillard, it’s hard to see either fitting into future plans with players like Lenyn Sosa, Colson Montgomery, and possibly Nicky Lopez all in the infield mix next season.
Ortega was a newcomer to the organization in 2024, signing a minor-league deal back in January. The 33-year-old, who has now appeared with seven teams since 2012, only played in 14 games for the White Sox and accumulated a -0.2 fWAR in that span. Though struggling over the final stretch of the Triple-A campaign, Ortega hit a respectable .289/.413/.498 with 11 homers and 53 RBI, likely enough to garner a MiLB deal from another club this offseason.
Toussaint, originally claimed off waivers from the Guardians in 2023, has spent the past two years in the organization. The White Sox were hoping to capture some of the magic that made him a 16th overall draft pick in 2014 but failed to get any consistent success. In 2024, the right-hander owned a 7.43 ERA in 23.0 IP out of the bullpen and spent the rest of his time with Triple-A Charlotte. If there’s one thing the White Sox have done right lately it’s stocking up their pitching pipeline, effectively making Toussaint an odd man out moving forward.
The four players above officially join right-handed pitchers Mike Clevinger, Chris Flexen, Dominic Leone, and Michael Soroka to hit the market. Third baseman Yoan Moncada and catcher Max Stassi are also candidates to exit as both possess club options for 2025. At this time, it’s unlikely the White Sox exercise either.
As the offseason progresses, expect to see plenty of additional transactions pop up. For the latest updates, follow us on social media @SoxOn35th.
Featured Photo: © Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
