Chicago White Sox May Be Surprise Aggressor in 2014-2015 MLB Free Agency

Despite five straight losing seasons, the Chicago Cubs and their top-notch collection of prospects and young big leaguers are ready to make waves in the free-agent market this offseason. This column easily could be all about Cubs President Theo Epstein and general manager Jed Hoyer's plan to supplement their nearly complete rebuilding plan by pursing a big-name, big-money player or three.

But everybody, it seems, already is talking about the Cubs, what with the reports—like this one from Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times—that they'll be after a starting pitcher or two, including Jon Lester, Max Scherzer or James Shields, among other areas of need.

Then there's the not-so-subtle speculation, per Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, that they could quite possibly snatch up manager Joe Maddon, who became arguably as sought-after a free-agent target as any player this winter the moment he opted out of his contract with the Tampa Bay Rays.

Indeed, the Cubs are in position to start making moves to return to relevance. But they're not the only such club in Chicago.

The White Sox finished 2014 at 73-89—the same record as the crosstown club—their second consecutive sub-.500 campaign and third in four years. They, too, could be busy in the coming weeks and months, and their activity would be more surprising because the Sox don't get the same amount of attention afforded the Cubs.

The White Sox, like the Cubs, have plenty of young talent, much of which already is signed to team-friendly, long-term pacts.

"We're in a position now where we've managed to create some economic flexibility going into the offseason," general manager Rick Hahn said, according to Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago. "We can deploy that via free agency or via trade and really not be precluded from any opportunities right now due to economic reasons."

Landing Jose Abreu last year proved to be a smashing success, as the former star of Cuba's Serie Nacional hit .317/.383/.581 with 37 homers, a performance that will earn him AL Rookie of the Year. That should give Hahn more leeway—as well as more dollars—with which to work this time around.

While the first baseman is due $51 million through 2019, fellow building blocks Chris Sale and Jose Quintana will make $28 million through 2017 and $25 million through 2018, respectively.

Tha's a relative pittance to pay these days for your top three players.

Paul Sancya/Associated Press

That, in addition to Hahn's commendable job of unloading cumbersome contracts (i.e., Adam Dunn, Alex Rios, Jake Peavy) while obtaining younger, cheaper talent (i.e., Adam Eaton, Avisail Garcia) the past two years, gives the GM money to spend elsewhere.

In fact, the White Sox have only a little over $45 million worth of guaranteed contracts in 2015, not counting raises via arbitration, according to Cot's Contracts.

Their 2014 payroll was $90 million, so simply getting them back to where they were could leave Hahn with upward of $30 million-$40 million to play with this winter.

PLAYER	POSITION	2015 SALARY
John Danks	LHP	$15,750,000
Alexei Ramirez	SS	$10,000,000
Jose Abreu	1B	$8,667,000
Chris Sale	LHP	$6,000,000
Jeff Keppinger	INF	$4,500,000
Jose Quintana	LHP	$1,000,000
Scott Downs	LHP	$250,000
Felipe Paulino	RHP	$250,000
TOTAL		$46,417,000

The White Sox just said goodbye to retiring franchise icon Paul Konerko, so it wouldn't be such a bad idea to bring in another relatively noteworthy name to give the fans another rooting interest.

Plus, the farm system is in as good a shape as it has been for several years, as Keith Law of ESPN (subscription required) writes, with talent in the lower levels and in the upper minors that can contribute sooner than later.

For instance, left-hander Carlos Rodon, the No. 3 overall pick out of N.C. State last June who reached Triple-A after signing, could make his big league debut next season and team with Sale and Quintana to give Chicago three premium young southpaws.

And don't forget: Because they are slated to pick eighth overall in next June's draft, the White Sox's first-round choice is protected if they sign a free agent attached to draft-pick compensation.

"It's very important to continue to be aggressive this offseason," Hahn said, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com.

The Sox are often overlooked as players on the free-agent market because they don't generally dole out big-money deals, but Hahn might be ready and able to pair his young, cost-controlled core with the right veteran or two to turn his club into a surprise contender next season.

"We’re never going to move our eye from those long-term targets being a priority," Hahn said via Hayes. "At the same time, we may be in a position where some shorter-term deals with some veteran-type players might make some sense in order to get this team closer to where we want to be."

Some spots that could be improved? Catcher, third base and designated hitter could use an upgrade, as could the bullpen.

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

Free agents like Russell Martin, Chase Headley, Nelson Cruz and Aramis Ramirez (who has a mutual option with the Milwaukee Brewers) could be fits. Same goes for Hanley Ramirez or Pablo Sandoval, although they might be too steep for the White Sox's budget if they're seeking nine figures.

Hahn also is searching for left-handed power, as Bruce Levine of CBSChicago.com writes, which makes Victor Martinez, Adam LaRoche and Melky Cabrera other intriguing options that should work within the framework of the payroll.

In other words, Hahn will have options.

While a big-money signing is likely, if not outright expected to happen on the North Side, should one or two of these names wind up on the South Side, Chicago actually might have—surprise!—two teams on the rise in 2015 and beyond.

Statistics are accurate through Oct. 28 and courtesy of MLB.com, Baseball-Reference.com and FanGraphs, unless otherwise noted.

To talk baseball or fantasy baseball, check in with me on Twitter: @JayCat11.