The Chicago White Sox solved their right field dilemma on Tuesday, agreeing to a one-year contract with free agent outfielder Adam Eaton.
Eaton, who played for the South Siders from 2014 to 2016 before moving to the Washington Nationals, thus returns to his former team and will be penciled in as the team’s starter in right field heading into the new season.
Eaton’s deal is reportedly worth $7 million and includes a club option valued at $8.5 million for the 2022 season if the Sox want to keep him around.
The Ohio native became a free agent at the conclusion of the season after finishing his final year of arbitration, but it didn’t take long for him to find a home.
Eaton hit .226 with 4 home runs and 17 RBI in 41 games in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. It was a slow season for the former Nationals staple, whose batting average had never dropped below .279 in his other three seasons with the team.
The White Sox are betting that Eaton will return to his 2014-to-2019 form which saw him become one of the most consistent and productive outfielders in the game.
The team is expected to officially announce the Eaton deal over the next couple of days.
