The Chicago White Sox will sign veteran Nick Senzel on Tuesday, reports Jon Heyman of the New York Post. Per James Fegan of Sox Machine, Senzel will sign a major league deal. The veteran will likely join the team immediately following the All-Star break on Friday.
The Washington Nationals released Senzel in mid-July after he struggled to perform this year. The rebuilding club decided to move on from the veteran in favor of giving playing time to younger prospects. Senzel will sign with the White Sox, another rebuilding team, and will likely receive decent playing time.
Nick Senzel is signing with White Sox
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) July 17, 2024
Chicago White Sox Sign Nick Senzel
Senzel signed with Washington in December on a one-year, $2 million deal after being non-tendered by the Cincinnati Reds. He is a versatile player with experience playing all over the diamond. That said, he signed with the Nationals to serve as the everyday third baseman to rebuild his value on the rebuilding team. Unfortunately, he struggled mightily with the bat, glove, and health.
The 29-year-old hit .209/.303/.359 (89 wRC+) with a good walk rate and a below-league-average strikeout rate in 235 plate appearances. Statcast reveals that the right-hander failed to make quality contact, thus indicating his poor production was not fluky. It also continued a several-year trend of Senzel not making good contact.
Miguel Sano is whiffing a ton this year (38.4% whiff and 37.9% K) but generates his usual loud contact — 94 mph avg exit velo.
Seems like a LAD fix. Big whiff and exit velo.
Get him to swing at the first pitch more and foul off pitches in an at bat. He will run into results. pic.twitter.com/y9Mv2jYISM
— Remi Bunikiewicz (@RBunikiewicz) July 9, 2024
Senzel paired his below-average offense with awful defense. In 388 1/3 defensive innings at third base, Senzel earned -8 Defensive Runs Saved and -4 Outs Above Average. He only played third base this season, but it should be noted that his defense in the outfield throughout his career is much worse per these metrics.
Senzel’s struggles this year are nothing new for the former top prospect. In 1,601 career plate appearances, he has hit .235/.302/.368 (78 wRC+) and accumulated a -0.5 career fWAR.
It also doesn’t help that he has dealt with a plethora of injuries throughout his career. This includes missing time this season with a broken thumb. Even if the injuries stunted his development, Senzel likely does not have many more opportunities to establish himself in the majors.
How Signing Senzel Fits for the ChiSox
The White Sox need to clear a 40-man roster spot when they make the Senzel signing official. Considering the time of the year, many will naturally speculate that space will be made via an imminent trade.
However, no trade seems to be on the horizon. Chicago could clear a spot by designating someone for assignment or placing someone on the 60-day injured list. That said, the team is expected to be one of the most active sellers at this summer’s deadline.
That Paul DeJong trade value 📈
— Sox On 35th (@SoxOn35th) June 12, 2024
Infielder Paul DeJong is having a nice season on the South Side and might be traded at a second consecutive deadline. The Sox could sign Senzel hoping he hits well enough over the next week or so to generate trade interest.
But, it’s more likely that he provides a veteran presence on a gutted White Sox squad.
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