Financial Details Released on Paul DeJong's Deal with the Chicago White Sox
It look a little while, but we now know the terms of the contract for new Chicago White Sox' infielder Paul DeJong.
Per Jon Heyman of the New York Post:
Paul DeJong White Sox deal: $1.75M plus 250K incentives
DeJong, 30, is a former All-Star who is coming off a brutal last few seasons. He Hit .207 total in 2023 playing for the Cardinals, Blue Jays and Giants.
He hit 14 total home runs and drove in 37, with nearly all of that damage coming for St. Louis.
He has been a very useful player in the past, making the All-Star team in 2019. That year, he popped 30 homers and drove in 78. DeJong finished second in the National League Rookie of the Year voting in 2017 when he hit 25 homers.
Since then, he's slumped, hitting .250 in the COVID 2020 season and then hitting .197 and .157 in 2021 and 2022.
Given that the White Sox are in rebuild mode, DeJong seems to have the inside track at earning a regular role and rebuilding his career. A contract of nearly $2 million guaranteed leads you to believe that he's got a good chance to be an Opening Day starter.
Though DeJong appears to have the leg up on a starting job, it will be curious how the team views its infield structure. They just acquired Nicky Lopez in a trade with the Braves. Perhaps Lopez will slot in at second alongside DeJong.
The team has openings in the middle infield after letting Tim Anderson go this offseason.
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