Following a disappointing 2022 campaign on the south side of Chicago, the White Sox started their roster overhaul tonight by declining to tender a contract for 2023 to Adam Engel, Danny Mendick, and Mark Payton. Engel, who turns 31 next month, struggled to produce this season after missing the majority of 2021 due to injury. Mendick, 29, was putting together the best season of his career filling in for the injured Tim Anderson when he suffered a season-ending ACL tear in his right knee after a collision with Adam Haseley against the Blue Jays in late June 22. Payton, a 30-year-old journeyman out of St. Rita, notched three hits in eight games for the White Sox last season.
Engel should have little trouble catching on somewhere as a fourth or fifth outfielder. Even when he has struggled offensively, his defense will play anywhere. I can see the White Sox trying to bring Mendick back on a minor league deal to see how he recovers from his surgery. Payton is organizational filler and will likely sign on somewhere with a minor league deal.