Todd Frazier has free agency and a potential big payday awaiting him if he has a successful 2017 season.
But as the White Sox third baseman readies himself for the club’s first full-squad workout of spring training on Saturday, he’s focused only on the present.
"I’ve thought about it, but not to the extent where it’s going to bother me the whole year," said Frazier, who arrived at camp a few days early. "Let’s work on this year, right now. When the time comes, let’s see what happens. Chicago is a nice place to play, and I’d like to play here."
Frazier has been hitting every day, a good sign considering he sprained his left index finger lifting weights last month. It was an injury that had bothered him at the end of last season, but he said it feels fine now and he’s ready to improve on "basically everything" from last year.
Frazier, 31, took the good with the bad in his first season with the Sox after being traded from the Reds. He had a career-low .225 batting average and a career-high 163 strikeouts. But he also hit career-best marks with 40 home runs, 98 RBIs and 64 walks.
"I just try to build off what I did last year and think about the positives — the home runs, RBIs, all that stuff," Frazier said. "But I need to try to hit the ball to right field more, get the average back up, on-base percentage."
As for the state of the Sox, Frazier said it was "upsetting" when he heard about the Chris Sale trade in December because he wants a pitcher like Sale on his team. But he’s ready to move with the team in a new direction, even if he could be traded before the season is up.
Frazier said he doesn’t like the word rebuild, preferring to say the Sox are "refueling." Either way, he will embrace his role as a leader for the younger players and said he thinks veterans Geovany Soto and David Robertson are among those who also can help.
Photos as the White Sox practice at spring training at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz.
Sox manager Rick Renteria already witnessed some of that leadership when Frazier began instructing the younger players this week to be dressed and sitting in their chairs before scheduled team meetings.
"Little things like that to me are big because I want to get the conversation going as quickly as I possibly can when our meetings start, but also just by example," Renteria said. "It’s one of those things these guys — the veteran players — embrace the approaches that we’re going to take. It goes a long way with appealing to the younger player to how we’re going to play the game."
Frazier said he thinks it’s good to have a balance of younger and older players pushing one another and reminisced about playing with third baseman Scott Rolen in his early days with the Reds.
"I always thought ‘Hey, I can beat him out. I just need that chance,’" Frazier said. "It’s great. You have these younger guys pushing you and older veteran guys trying to push them too as well. It’s a back and forth little battle. I can’t wait to see what we have working Saturday."
ckane@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @ChiTribKane
Caption Todd Frazier on the ‘refueling’ the White Sox
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the "refueling" team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the “refueling” team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Todd Frazier on the ‘refueling’ the White Sox
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the "refueling" team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier on the “refueling” team at spring training on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Carlos Rodon, Rick Renteria on Rodon’s separate spring training work
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon and manager Rick Renteria discuss Rodon’s separate work at spring training on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon and manager Rick Renteria discuss Rodon’s separate work at spring training on Friday, Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption Tour of White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 16, 2017.
Tribune reporter Colleen Kane tours the White Sox’s spring training facility at Camelback Ranch in Glendale, Ariz. on Feb. 16, 2017.
Caption Prospect Reynaldo Lopez on his experience in the majors
White Sox prospect Reynaldo Lopez on his experience in the majors on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox prospect Reynaldo Lopez on his experience in the majors on Feb. 17, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
Caption James Shields: ‘I know how to come back’ from a rough season
White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he’ll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox starting pitcher James Shields discusses his horrific 2016 season and what he’ll do to improve in 2017 at Camelback Ranch on Feb. 16, 2017. (Colleen Kane/Chicago Tribune)
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