As the non-tender deadline comes today, teams have to make a decision on whether or not to give arbitration-eligible players a contract heading into 2023.
Much to the surprise of most Sox fans, infielder Danny Mendick was one of the three players who the organization declined to tender a 2023 contract. The team said in a release that all remaining unsigned players on the 40-man roster have received a deal.
“We appreciate all that Adam and Danny did for our organization in 2022 and during prior seasons. As we have said at other times, a lot of consideration and analysis goes into the club deciding to forego the arbitration process and instead engage with players and their representatives as free agents,” said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. “Our plan is to stay in contact with all three players and evaluate their ongoing fit with our club as we move forward through this offseason.”
With Mendick rehabbing from an ACL injury he suffered after colliding with Adam Haseley, the White Sox will (hopefully) likely look to re-sign Mendick to a minor-league deal and keep him within the organization. The logic seems to be that they would rather do this than pay him his projected $1M in arbitration and keep him on the 40-man roster, which currently sits at 35 following the three non-tenders above.
In 106 plate appearances in 2022, Mendick slashed .289/.343/.443, good for a 125 wRC+ and 0.8 fWAR. He had been filling in admirably for the injured Tim Anderson at the time, who had been down with an injury of his own. In 446 career major league plate appearances, Mendick has hit .251/.309/.366 with an 87 wRC+. However, those numbers don’t show his ability to put up valuable production in small stints as they’ve been required throughout his career. The former 22nd-round draft pick has shown that he belongs in the major leagues, and at times, has shown himself to be a major asset for the White Sox.
Following today’s moves, the White Sox’s 40-man roster decreases to 35.
We wish Danny the best in his recovery and hope that he will indeed receive a deal to remain in the White Sox organization. He is the sort of player that you’d like to keep around.
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Featured Image: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
