UPDATE: The White Sox have officially announced the deal with two-time All-Star Josh Harrison. It is a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, which includes a club option for the 2023 season.
Under terms of the agreement, Harrison will receive $4 million in 2022, with the White Sox holding a $5.5 million option for 2023 with a $1.5-million buyout.
Just moments after signing reliever Joe Kelly to a two-year deal, the White Sox struck again with a move to fill their void up the middle.
Free-agent infielder Josh Harrison is in agreement with the team on a one-year deal worth $5.5 million, as first reported by The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. The contract, which is pending a physical, also includes a club option (with a $1.5 million buyout) for the 2023 season.
Harrison, 34, played in 138 games between the Washington Nationals and Oakland A’s this past season. During his 2021 campaign, the utility man slashed .279/.341/.400 with eight home runs, 60 RBI, .741 OPS, and 2.1 WAR. As you can probably tell from these numbers, the 11-year MLB veteran doesn’t possess great power, but has still maintained a high-contact rate at the plate even into his 30s.
Though Harrison has the ability to play third base and the outfield, the expectation right now is for him to be the team’s everyday second baseman. If all goes well and he can absorb regular playing time, this would allow for Leury Garcia to be a plug-and-play option elsewhere as needed and give the team much more versatility. While it might not be a flashy move, the team has found a short-term solution to a preexisting issue while still having room to fill bigger holes like additional pitching depth and right field.
As we learn more information on this move, we will provide further updates to this article. In the meantime, be sure to follow us on social media @SoxOn35th!
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