PREAMBLE
I see the White Sox in a pre-contention window. They are one to two years out from being legitimate playoff contenders. Still, I think we are at the time where we have seen what we will see from fringe guys and need to start amassing talent. To do this we must start replacing sub 1 WAR players. Sitting around for another year and waiting for guys like Adam Engel to learn how to use a bat is a waste of 2019. I think there are some guys, such as Daniel Palka, that deserve a continued look, but that still shouldn’t stop the Sox from dipping into a minuscule payroll. Adding a couple new faces to this group could help add some wins to a team that is looking to gain momentum and become a more attractive off-season destination (Hopefully Nolan Arenado likes Chicago and money).
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Jose Abreu, $16M (Tender)
- Avisail Garcia, $8M (Non-Tender) He’s out of a job anyway once Eloy comes up, and no one will trade for him. That’s one expensive bench bat.
- Yolmer Sanchez, $4.7M (Tender)
- Carlos Rodon, $3.7M (Tender)
- Matt Davidson, $2.4M (Tender)
- Leury Garcia, $1.9M (Tender)
- Danny Farquhar, $1.4M (Non-Tender) Great story, maybe a MILB deal?
CLUB OPTIONS
- Nate Jones, $4.65 million/$1.25M buyout (Pick up)
- James Shields, $16 million/$2M buyout (Decline) Weirdly sad to do this, but it must happen.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Miguel Gonzalez (made $4.75 million in 2018) (Let Go, expensive for an old pitcher with shoulder issues)
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Michael Brantley (Two Years, $45 million). Brantley proved he could stay healthy this year and the White Sox need a high average/OBP guy to slot early in the lineup.
No. 2: Dallas Keuchel (Four Years: $84 Million, Opt out after year two) He is older but his pitching style tends to age well. Hopefully he pitches well enough to use the opt out just in time for the Sox pitching prospects to take the reigns. You could front load the contract to better budget for future years.
No. 3: Bounce Back relievers on minor league deals: Look for any reliever that could add value if they return to form.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade RHP Nate Jones to NYY for Sonny Gray. The Yankees are looking to get rid of Gray, and the White Sox need a starting pitcher. Gray has more upside than most pitchers the Sox could sign for a one-year deal. Jones is tough to part with but is expensive with his injury history. Yankees are big fans of high velocity bullpen arms and will bank on Jones returning to form.
No. 2: Trade RHP Alec Hansen, RHP Jordan Stephens, LHP Kodi Medeiros to Pirates for CF Starling Marte. A 2x Gold Glove winner with a high OBP. You can slot Marte in center field and feel comfortable that he won’t be liability on either side of the ball. With the Brewers and Cubs in the division and Marte not being the cheapest player in the world, I think the Pirates will be realists and will take future value for Marte. The Sox would have team options for Marte in 2020 and 2021 for around $11 mil.
SUMMARY
C: Castillo/Narvaez Starters:
1B: Abreu 1. Kuechel
2B: Moncada 2. Rodon
3B: Yolmer 3. Lopez
SS: Anderson 4. Gray
LF: Brantley 5. Giolito
CF: Marte
RF: Eloy (April 15th)
DH: Palka/ Davidson
Bench: Leury, Engel
Bullpen:
Fry
Vierira
Burr
Hamilton
Bummer
Frare
Covey
This team comes in with a budget of around $109 mil. They are not world series contenders but should put up a fight in the central. The additions of Marte and Brantley should give the Sox the on base guys they have been missing. The rotation could be anything from solid to a dumpster fire, especially with Gray and Giolito. The bullpen is dependent on the young arms developing into impact guys, but the talent is there. In conclusion, this team would be able to win some games while still not mortgaging the future financially or by blocking prospects in the system.
