The White Sox have added some more minor-league outfield depth.
According to Scott Merkin of MLB.com, the White Sox have acquired OF Tyler Naquin from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for cash considerations. Naquin is expected to be placed in Charlotte to start his tenure with the club.
Naquin, 31, has been in the major leagues for parts of seven seasons with three different teams: the Guardians, Reds, and Mets. In his career, he has hit .264/.318/.448 with a 101 wRC+ and 3.5 fWAR over seven years. He is much more accomplished in his career against RHP (109 wRC+) than LHP (62 wRC+), and his best season came in 2021 with the Reds (.270/.333/.477, 109 wRC+).
His defensive production leaves a bit to be desired, though he did post +1 OAA in 38 chances after being traded to the Mets mid-season last year where he was alongside a plus defender in center field in the form of Brandon Nimmo. To his benefit, he does have one of the strongest arms in baseball (94th percentile arm strength), which serves a corner position in the outfield well.
It’s unclear what sort of role Naquin may hold for the club down the road.
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