Longtime Boston Red Sox prospect and minor leaguer Bobby Dalbec will get another shot to make it in the big leagues.
The Chicago White Sox have signed Dalbec to a minor league deal with a non-roster invite to spring training. The corner infielder will join Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, Cam Booser and Wikelman Gonzalez in changing his Sox this winter.
Boston picked Dalbec in the fourth round of the 20196 MLB Draft and he spent his entire career in the Red Sox organization with mixed results. Fans expected him to be the next big thing in Boston's infield, and in 2021, it looked like that could've been true.
Dalbec posted a career-high 133 games in the big leagues four seasons ago, the last time the Red Sox made the playoffs. He slashed .240/.298/.494 with a .792 OPS and 21 doubles, five triples and 25 home runs.
Longtime Red Sox minor league infielder Bobby Dalbec signs minor league deal with White Sox
The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms with INF Bobby Dalbec on a minor-league contract which includes a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) January 7, 2025
The infielder's playing time with the Red Sox decreased with each passing season until Boston became desperate for a first baseman in 2024 after Triston Casas' rib injury. Dalbec batted .133/.217/.193 with one home run and 43 strikeouts in 37 games.
Dalbec's trade value was never higher than it was after the 2021 campaign, and fans and reporters wondered for years when Boston would pull the trigger on trading him. Once Casas debuted, it was clear Dalbec didn't have a path to the majors with the Sox. Former chief baseball officer Chaim Bloom debated dishing the now-29-year-old at the 2023 trade deadline, but nothing came of the rumors. The Red Sox designated Dalbec for assignment in September to accommodate pitching prospect Richard Fitts on the 40-man roster.
Despite his struggles in the major leagues, Dalbec is a favorite among many Red Sox fans. Hopefully, he finds his footing in the big leagues with Chicago and his seven seasons of work in Boston's system pays off.