The White Sox reached an agreement with veteran shortstop Paul DeJong on Tuesday night, a source told Mark Feinsand of MLB.com.
The club has not confirmed the deal and the results of a physical examination are still pending.
Since taking over, general manager Chris Getz has expressed that improving Chicago’s defense across the diamond – but especially in the middle – is one of his main goals. The White Sox currently have All-Star Luis Robert Jr. in center field; Korey Lee behind the plate; and DeJong and Nicky Lopez at shortstop and second, respectively.
“Well, you know it’s happening little by little, it really is,” Getz said at general managers meetings in early November. “If we set a goal to really improve our defensive game, it will allow our pitchers to attack the zone and be more efficient. We need to be more athletic, and that speaks to the improved defense we’re hoping for – and of course running the bases, grabbing extra bases and things like that.
“We are looking for players who understand what it takes to be on a winning ballclub. It starts with their approach to everyday life, being on the field in the right place at the right time and being more or less like baseball players who go out and work together and compete against each other.”
DeJong, 30, spent time with three teams last season. He began the year with the Cardinals – the only team he had played for since his debut in 2017 – before being traded to the Blue Jays at the trade deadline. Toronto released DeJong three weeks later, and although he signed with the Giants on August 23, he was released less than a month later.
DeJong, an All-Star for the Cardinals in 2019, slashed just .207/.258/.355 (.612 OPS) last season. Over the past three seasons, he had a .192/.265/.353 line (.618 OPS) in 302 games.
DeJong, a native of Antioch, Illinois, who played at Illinois State University, has played almost exclusively as a shortstop in the major leagues, especially recently. The only other defensive position DeJong has played at is second base, but 20 of his 22 appearances at second base came in his rookie season in 2017.
Lopez, acquired as part of the five-player return of Aaron Bummer in the White Sox trade with the Braves on November 17, also has the ability to play shortstop and third base.
“One thing I can put a lot of emphasis on is being versatile and playing Gold Glove-caliber defense, whether it’s at short, second or third,” Lopez said during a Zoom call Tuesday. “I also played a little bit in the outfield. Knowing that I can fill a position wherever they need me is something I am very proud of.
“I really believe that jumping from short position to second and then to third position is very valuable for the team, especially for a winning team. We’ll see where it goes, but I’m very excited.”
The ultimate answer to the shortstop numbers, of course, is Colson Montgomery, Chicago’s No. 1 prospect and No. 17 overall prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Although he’s only 21 years old – he’ll be 22 on Opening Day – the 6-foot-3 left-hander’s goal is to break out with the team.
Getz doesn’t want to place arbitrary restrictions on the development of Montgomery, who made a strong impression playing for Glendale during the 2023 Arizona Fall League. Even if he doesn’t leave spring training with the White Sox, Montgomery’s jump from Triple-A Charlotte to the White Sox could very well come in early ’24.