Major League Baseball is currently in its first lockout since 1990, after the league was unable to reach a new labor agreement with the Players’ Association. The previous collective bargaining agreement expired after 11:59 p.m. ET on December 1, halting any communication between teams and players until a new CBA is reached. Because free agency and trades of players on 40-man rosters are frozen, White Sox fans are left wondering what the team’s plan is for the 2022 season — particularly regarding who will be the starting second baseman.
Before the 2021 trade deadline, second base was handled by Nick Madrigal, but three serious injuries over four seasons ultimately contributed to him and pitcher Codi Heuer being traded to the Chicago Cubs for Craig Kimbrel on July 30.