White Sox big push might be a year away

SAN DIEGO — Most indicators suggest now is the time for the White Sox to strike with key additions through trade or free agency to supplement a young core that made significant strides last season.

And while the Sox signaled they are moving in that direction by signing catcher Yasmani Grandal to a club record four-year, $73 million contract, extending first baseman Jose Abreu for three years at $50 million and making a $120 million-plus offer to right-hander Zack Wheeler (who signed with the Phillies for $118 million last week) in advance of the winter meetings, general manager Rick Hahn is not declaring 2020 as the year.

On Day 1 of the winter meetings in which the Sox weren’t linked to any hot trade or free-agent rumors, Hahn said the Sox are anything but “all in” on 2020.

“There’s no urgency to get anything done here,” he said of adding to the Sox’ roster through free agency or trade this week.

That’s not to say a successful campaign is being ruled out, but Hahn’s end game is to build a team that will win more than one championship. He continues to look beyond next season.

And while this view won’t fly with an impatient fan base suffering through a seven-year stretch of losing seasons and one measly playoff appearance since 2005, there are those in the know saying the Sox should not push all of their chips in on 2020, the fourth year of the rebuild.

“It just feels like they are a year or two ahead of themselves if they spend big now,” says an American League scout who knows the Sox’ roster and prospect depth. “You can make a case for them going for it now while the [AL Central] division is really weak, but they are banking on a lot of youth. It’s dangerous to assume every guy will be good.’’

The scout said right-hander Lucas Giolito, third baseman Yoan Moncada and right-hander Reynaldo Lopez are far from established. And to assume young right-handers Michael Kopech and Dylan Cease and top prospects Luis Robert in center field and Nick Madrigal at second base will all flourish in 2020 is a stretch.

“And are [Carlos] Rodon and Kopech ready to help you win right now after long [Tommy John surgery] layoffs? The only reason to push now is the weak division, but that’s not building a championship club,” the scout said. “I would be thinking more 2022 as the real breakout year. Ease toward that year.”

Hahn, who pretty much shot down a report out of the Dominican Republic that outfielder Marcell Ozuna was going to sign this week with the Sox, seems to agree. He characterized discussions with agents and other clubs Monday as “productive” while more or less coming alongside the “wait till next winter” plan to pounce.

“You don’t want to do anything short-sighted that’s just going to, trade-wise, give us a quick bump next year but compromise the extended window we foresee coming when this all comes together,” he said.

“I do look forward to a year from right now and we’re sitting up in that suite looking at our board.”

So it seems the Sox’ plan is to add a right fielder and starting pitcher or two this winter while allowing young players such as Robert, Madrigal, Kopech, and Cease to develop together.

That would make sense to at least one outsider, anyway.

“Take another year to assess who will truly pan out,” the scout said. “Then finish it with free agency once you evaluate each one on the big league level.

“It is looking brighter. There are things to be excited about there. But there are no guarantees.”