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“South Side Surge: Adam Sh_alt boost as White Sox Nab Breakout Hitting Sensation Josh Rojas”

**White Sox Add Josh Rojas to Bolster Infield**

The Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement with infielder Josh Rojas, according to MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. The two sides have signed a one-year deal, with financial terms remaining unclear.

Rojas, 30, was not re-signed by the Seattle Mariners, who declined to offer him a contract through the 2025 season. Despite a disappointing 2024 season, Rojas has shown flashes of brilliance in the past, displaying excellent defensive numbers and versatility in the field.

**Rojas’ Career So Far**

Rojas has been an average or slightly below-average hitter in the majors since becoming a full-time commit at Arizona in 2021. However, he has shown success over the past two seasons, hitting.272/.321/.400 (105 wRC+) with the Mariners in 2023 and.318/.408/.530 ​​(175 wRC+) by the end of April in 2024.

**Why the White Sox Needed Rojas**

The White Sox have a need for infield depth, and Rojas’ addition provides some stability to their current package. He is expected to compete for a role in the infield, possibly at second base or third base, where he has shown success defensively.

**Rojas’ Versatility**

One of Rojas’ greatest assets is his versatility. He has experience at multiple positions, including second base, third base, and the outfield. He has also shown success at shortstop, although there aren’t the same impressive metrics to back up his production.

**What’s Next for the White Sox**

The White Sox currently plan to use a combination of Miguel Vargas, Lenin Sosa, Jacob Amaya, and Brooks Baldwin at shortstop, second base, and third base in 2025. Rojas should have a clearer path to regular reps at second or third base, although it’s possible that he could also get playing time at shortstop.

**Other Notable Infielders on the Market**

While Rojas is now off the market, there are still several other notable infielders available as free agents. These include Whit Merrifield, Donovan Solano, and Cavan Biggio, who can provide versatility in a part-time or backup role. Other options include Jorge Polanco, Paul de Jong, and Jose Iglesias, who could potentially become regulars in the low-level free agency market.

**Conclusion**

The addition of Josh Rojas to the White Sox infield provides a boost to the team’s depth and versatility. While there have been questions about his ability to hit left-handed pitching, Rojas has shown success against right-handed pitchers and could potentially become a regular in the infield. With other notable infielders still available on the market, the White Sox have several options to consider as they look to build their roster for the 2025 season.

**FAQs**

Q: Why did the Mariners decline to re-sign Josh Rojas?
A: The Mariners declined to re-sign Rojas due to his disappointing 2024 season, during which he hit a paltry.208/.285/.301 (75 wRC+) after a strong start.

Q: What are Josh Rojas’ defensive metrics like?
A: Rojas has shown excellent defensive numbers at second base and third base, with a total of +14 OAA above average at those positions since the start of the 2023 season.

Q: Is Josh Rojas a good option against left-handed pitching?
A: Unfortunately, Rojas has struggled against left-handed pitching, hitting just.133/.224/.133 against lefties in 2024.

Q: What other infielders are still available on the market?
A: Some other notable infielders available as free agents include Whit Merrifield, Donovan Solano, and Cavan Biggio, as well as Jorge Polanco, Paul de Jong, and Jose Iglesias.

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