Paul DeJong Is A Shortstop.
I was at work this afternoon when I started getting messages from friends that a deal was in the works to bring Paul DeJong to the White Sox. It’s an unremarkable signing, as you can see from the poll BeefLoaf dropped for us on TwitterXXX
It’s likely the appropriate response. When we look at the player, DeJong has not had a WRC+ over 100 since they were tossing around the super bouncy ball in 2019, and even then it was 101. The bat is not what got him the contract. Why he got the contract and why he was traded for at the deadline last year is that he is a competent shortstop. I think some will sell him as a tremendous glove, but that’s not quite right. Baseball Savant has him tied with Javier Baez for 6th in Outs Above Average at 7 for 2023. However, both the Fielding Bible and Fangraphs have him at 0 Defensive Runs Saved in 2023. So uneven rankings, but in the two previous years he was in the positive. He’s a good defender at shortstop.
When you hear Chris Getz talk about the roster he wants, DeJong seems to fit the bill. It’s all about defense here and the vast difference between a consistently good defender at SS vs Tim Anderson who could make an unbelievable play one minute and botch a normal grounder the next. Getz seems to have his middle infield with Paul DeJong, Nicky Lopez, and possibly Braden Shewmake as the utility man.
Let’s remember that it’s still November and there is a lot of off-season to go. We’ll be waiting to see what types of bats they add to the lineup. You can definitely point to the poor production of the MI last year and say this is no worse on the offensive side and you would be right. But that team lost 101 games, so somebody is gonna have to look like a real hitter at some point. Let’s see what they do in RF and if they move Eloy and/or Moncada, how they’re backfilled.
For now, the middle infield defense has likely improved. The hitting has not.
The White Sox signed a shortstop.
-Chorizy-E
Side note: If you’re trying to rhyme DeJong with words like dong, bong, song, wrong, unfortunately it’s not pronounced that way
About The Author
chorizy
Section 108 Row 13, Bassist for Barren Plains, Acclaimed drunkard
If nothing else, I appreciate how Getz has been active early, which I hope is indicative of what to expect from the offseason as a whole. I also value him stating his plan (athleticism and defense) and, thus far, aligning to it with guys like DeJong. I mean… we’ll eventually need someone who can hit a ball, but I don’t hate what we’ve done so far.