chitownfan92’s Off-Season Plan
PREAMBLE
With the division (outside of Cleveland) looking the worst it has in a long time, you would think this would be the year we go all in…right?
Wrong.
This team is not in any position to make a playoff run next year. We are still 2-3 years away, so this isn’t the off-season to splurge on players like Machado, Harper, etc. I fully expect another off-season of stop-gap Starters and Bullpen arms. I’ll evidence that later on in my post. This year is about the arrival of Eloy, the progression of Giolito, the return of Burdi, and life without Kopech.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Jose Abreu, $16M – Tender
- Avisail Garcia, $8M – Non-Tender
- Yolmer Sanchez, $4.7M- Tender
- Carlos Rodon, $3.7M- Tender
- Matt Davidson, $2.4M- Non-Tender
- Leury Garcia, $1.9M- Tender
- Danny Farquhar, $1.4M- Non-Tender
CLUB OPTIONS
Nate Jones, $4.65 million/$1.25M buyout – Already picked up
James Shields, $16 million/$2M buyout – Already declined
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Miguel Gonzalez (made $4.75 million in 2018) – Let Go
Hector Santiago (made $2 million in 2018 — added) – Let Go
FREE AGENTS
SP- Matt Harvey, 1-year $5 million:Â Mid-Rotation pickup, following a ‘meh’ year, a good trade chip if he is able to pitch well.
SP- Gio Gonzalez, 1-year $5 million:Â Another reclamation project, this time a Southpaw. Pitched better the end of the year and provides another mid-to-late rotation option who might be a decent trade chip.
RF- Carlos Gomez, 1-year $4 million. Seems like a total ‘White Sox’ move with his high k-rate. Won’t need to be a everyday starter, but could fit into clubhouse with his energetic attitude. Keeps the seat warm for Eloy.
IF- Daniel Descalso, 1-year $2.5 million. Won’t set the world on fire but versatile and can play anywhere in the infield.
RP- Joe Kelly, 2-year $9 million.  Hector Santiago replacement. Can play in high-leverage situations or come in the 2nd and pitch a few innings when Giolito walks 6 in a inning and a third.
RP- Dan Jennings, 1-year $3.5 million. He’s baaaaaack. Left-handed option out of the bullpen that can pitch in various scenarios.
RP- Carter Capps, Minor-League deal w/invite to Spring Training. Why did I mention this? He was a fantastic set-up man in 14-15 with Miami but has been hit hard lately with multiple surgeries to include Tommy John and thoracic outlet syndrome. He might be the Swarzak or Kahnle of the 2018 season out of the ‘pen.
TRADES
NONE.
SUMMARY
Nothing special. A few stop-gap pieces here and there, but the excitement comes in the form of Eloy and possibly Cease.
Lineup:
2B- Yoan Moncada
3B- Yolmer Sanchez
1B- Jose Abreu
DH- Daniel Palka/Matt Davidson
LF- Nicky Delmonico
C- Beef Castillo
SS- Tim Anderson
RF- Carlos Gomez/Leury Garcia
CF- Adam Engel
Bench:
C- Omar Narvaez
IF- Daniel Descalso
IF/OF- Leury Garcia
DH/1B/3B- Matt Davidson
Starting Pitchers
1. Carlos Rodon
2. Reynaldo Lopez
3. Matt Harvey
4. Lucas Giolito
5. Gio Gonzalez
Bullpen:
Joe Kelly
Aaron Bummer
Dan Jennings
Carter Capps
Juan Minaya
Jace Fry
Nate Jones
It looks like you want the first pick in the 2020 draft. If Hahn trots this team out there in 2019, I’m not watching.
Seems equally likely and boring. All that’s missing is Torii Hunter in center ‘cuz Kenny always gets his guy.