AJ Pollock’s status with the Chicago White Sox has been a topic of discussion among baseball fans and experts recently. After spending one season with the team, Pollock declined his option and hit free agency, leaving many wondering if he would remain with the White Sox for the upcoming season.
In this article, we will explore Pollock’s background as a baseball player, his time with the White Sox, and the reasons behind his decision to decline the option and become a free agent.
We will also analyze the impact of his departure on the White Sox and predict how this might affect the team’s upcoming season.
Background Information on Aj Pollock
A.J. Pollock is a professional baseball player who has played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for various teams. He was born on December 5, 1987, in Hebron, Connecticut, and attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played college baseball.
Pollock was selected by the Arizona Diamondbacks in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft.
Pollock made his MLB debut with the Diamondbacks in 2012, and over the years, he has established himself as one of the league’s premier outfielders. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his speed, agility, and strong defensive skills.
Pollock has earned multiple accolades and awards for his performance on the field. He was named an All-Star in 2015, and he also won a Gold Glove award in the same year.
In 2018, he won the National League Comeback Player of the Year award after suffering a major injury the previous season.
As of the end of the 2021 season, Pollock’s career statistics include a .278 batting average, 117 home runs, 461 RBIs, and 131 stolen bases in 1,099 games played.
He has a career OPS (on-base plus slugging) of .789 and has been worth 20.8 wins above replacement (WAR) in his career.
Aj Pollock’s Time With the White Sox
AJ Pollock joined the White Sox in January 2021 after signing a four-year, $55 million contract. He was brought on to provide depth to the outfield position and to add some power to the team’s lineup.
However, his tenure with the White Sox was relatively short-lived.
During the 2021 season, Pollock appeared in 80 games for the White Sox, primarily as a left fielder. He hit .266 with 14 home runs, 34 RBIs, and an OPS of .822.
While these numbers were respectable, they were not quite at the level the White Sox were hoping for when they signed him.
One notable moment during Pollock’s time with the White Sox came on July 24, 2021, when he hit two home runs in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers.
This was the second time in his career that he had hit two home runs in a game.
Overall, while Pollock’s performance with the White Sox was solid, it was not enough to convince the team to keep him on for another season.
Pollock’s Decision to Decline Option and Hit Free Agency
In November 2021, AJ Pollock declined his option with the White Sox and became a free agent. Instead of exercising his option, Pollock received a $5 million buyout from the team.
This decision came as a surprise to some, as Pollock had signed a four-year contract with the team just one year prior.
According to White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, Pollock’s decision was not entirely unexpected given the current state of the free agent market. In a statement at the GM Meetings, Hahn said, “Not shocking if you look at the free agent market right now.” Hahn also expressed gratitude for Pollock’s contributions to the team, saying, “We appreciate everything AJ did for us this past season.”.
While the exact reasons for Pollock’s decision are not known, it is possible that he felt he could earn more money as a free agent than he would have by exercising his option with the White Sox.
Additionally, he may have wanted to explore other opportunities with different teams or in different markets.
It is also worth noting that Pollock’s performance during the 2021 season, while solid, was not exceptional. It is possible that the White Sox were not convinced that he was worth the $10 million option, which may have played a role in Pollock’s decision to decline it.
What This Means for the White Sox
The departure of AJ Pollock will have an impact on the White Sox, as he was a valuable contributor to the team during the 2021 season. While his performance was not outstanding, he provided depth to the outfield position and added some power to the team’s lineup.
Losing him could leave the White Sox with a gap in their roster that will need to be filled.
To address this loss, the White Sox may look to sign another outfielder in free agency or via trade. They may also choose to promote a player from within their minor league system to fill the gap.
Potential free agent options include players like Starling Marte or Nick Castellanos, who could provide similar production to Pollock.
The impact of Pollock’s departure on the team’s upcoming season is difficult to predict. While losing him is a loss for the team, the White Sox still have a talented roster and will likely be contenders in the American League.
Additionally, the team has shown an ability to adapt to changes in their roster, as they were able to overcome injuries to key players during the 2021 season.
Overall, while Pollock’s departure is not ideal for the White Sox, it is not a catastrophic loss. The team has the resources and talent to address the gap in their roster and continue to compete for a championship in the upcoming season.
AJ Pollock’s Performance with the Chicago White Sox in 2021
| Statistic | Number |
|---|---|
| Batting Average | .274 |
| Home Runs | 13 |
| RBIs | 38 |
| Games Played | 88 |
| On-base Percentage | .326 |
| Slugging Percentage | .434 |
| OPS | .760 |
| Stolen Bases | 1 |
| Defensive Runs Saved | 3 |
| WAR | 1.3 |
Note: These statistics are based on Pollock’s performance during the 2021 season with the Chicago White Sox.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much did AJ Pollock make with the White Sox?
Pollock signed a four-year, $55 million contract with the team prior to the 2021 season. He received a $5 million buyout after declining his option for the 2022 season.
How did Pollock perform during his time with the White Sox?
Pollock’s performance was solid but not outstanding during the 2021 season. He batted .274 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs in 88 games played.
Was Pollock popular with White Sox fans?
While Pollock was only with the team for one season, he was generally well-liked by fans and seen as a valuable contributor to the team.
Why did the White Sox decline to pick up Pollock’s option?
The team has not provided an official reason for declining Pollock’s option, but it is possible that they did not feel he was worth the $10 million price tag. Alternatively, they may have wanted to keep their options open and explore other options for their outfield.
Will the White Sox pursue any other free agents or trades to fill Pollock’s role?
It is likely that the team will explore other options to fill the gap in their outfield left by Pollock’s departure. Potential free agent options include players like Starling Marte or Nick Castellanos.
To Recap
AJ Pollock’s time with the White Sox was relatively short-lived, as he declined his option and became a free agent after just one season with the team.
While his performance was solid, it was not quite at the level the team was hoping for when they signed him, and his departure leaves a gap in the team’s roster that will need to be filled.
The impact of Pollock’s departure on the team’s upcoming season is difficult to predict, but the White Sox have the resources and talent to address the gap in their roster and continue to compete for a championship.
The team may look to sign another outfielder in free agency or via trade or promote a player from within their minor league system to fill the gap.
Overall, while losing Pollock is not ideal for the White Sox, it is not a catastrophic loss, and the team remains a strong contender in the American League.
