ndsoxfan’s Offseason Plan
PREAMBLE
The White Sox were a normal minor league season away from a perfect storm of good reasons to have an active and exciting offseason. The second wave of prospects is ready, the division is weak, free agency has some exciting impact talent, and it’s time to negotiate a giant new TV deal. Unfortunately, the minor league season was a disaster primarily due to serious injuries. I am going to stay the course and add some talent to the majors and the minors to build for a better and competent team for 2019 and hopefully a really exciting 2020.Â
Before getting to the players let’s talk managers. Rick Renteria has done a fine job with the talent he has been given. Sure, there are things he can improve which are discussed at length on Sox Machine, but this team has sucked due to the lack on talent on the field. That being said, Joe Girardi is available and is a superior choice – so I am giving him his wish and bringing him to Chicago. Â
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Jose Abreu, $16M – Tender
- Avisail Garcia, $8M – Tender
- 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, minor league deal
CLUB OPTIONS
- Nate Jones, $4.65 million/$1.25M buyout – Pickup
- James Shields, $16 million/$2M buyout – Decline
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Hector Santiago – Sign (1 year, 2 million)
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Manny Machado (10 years, $400 million). Machado is the answer to so many of our problems and despite his postseason antics, we need him. Front load the contract and give him the necessary opt outs. I think this deal will be looked back on like the A-Rod contract – seemed insane at the time, but ended up working out ok. I also compare it to the Cubs signing Lester and signaling that they were done with bottom feeding. If I am Jerry Reinsdorf I want to negotiate that TV deal with Manny on my team and not a bunch of prospects who may or may not pan out.
If this can’t get done I’d go to Donaldson for 1 year, 25 million.
No. 2: Garrett Richards (2 years, $12 million). Every potential pitcher for our 2020 rotation has question marks. We won’t ever have too many. I was a big fan of the similar deal the Rays made with Eovaldi and I would be excited if we had made a deal with Pineda instead of the stinky Twins. Richards had his TJS in July so he could definitely pitch this season. He fits in nicely as a #2 type pitcher in 2020.
No. 3: Trevor Rosenthal (1 years, $10 million). Rosenthal is only 29 and pitched well at his recent showcase, apparently throwing 98-100. I like him as a 1 year experienced candidate to rely on for innings and trade if we are out of it.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade Charlie Tilson and Nicky Delmonico to Seattle for Felix Hernandez, Sam Carlson, and Noelvi Marte. I watched 19 year old King Felix beat the Twins for his first major league victory. Alas, he is nowhere near that pitcher today, but we have Coop. I am confident he can provide innings as the 4 in our rotation for a year. Carlson is a 19 year old power pitcher with a 3 pitch mix coming off TJS and Marte is a 17 year old shortstop with big power. I always liked Charlie Tilson because I thought he meant I would never have to watch JB Schuck or anyone like him roam center field. It’s clear he has no future here. Tilson and Delmonico provide some cheap options to replace Span and Cruz if needed. We continue to add to the farm and Jerry Dipoto gets to make another trade and clear some payroll space for additional moves. Seattle chips in 5 million.
SUMMARY
They say 140 million is the new 110.
Lineup:
2B – Moncada
3B – Machado
1B – Abreu
RF – Garcia
DH – Palka
LF – Jimenez
C – Castillo
CF – Garcia
SS – Anderson
Starting Pitchers:
L – Rodon
R – Lopez
R – Giolito
R – Hernandez
R – Covey/Stephens/Adams
Relief Pitchers:
R – Rosenthal
R – Jones
L – Fry
R – Minaya
R – Hamilton
L – Frare
L – Santiago
Bench:
C – Narvaez
INF/DH/RHP – Davidson
INF – Sanchez
OF – Engel
This team gives the White Sox and their fans some immediate hope that futility isn’t the future and that the rebuild is finally reaching the “fun” stage. We could have locked up Francona, but we were pissing around with Robin Ventura. I’m not letting that happen again. The left side of the infield(and outfield) is locked up and can grow together. More prospects are added to the system for youth and depth.
The bullpen has a chance to be lights out with lots of options in the high minors. Covey, Stephens, or Adams should be able to get through the first half of the season until Richards or Cease are ready to step in. There should be a ton of options to fill out the 2020 rotation.
Hopefully everyone isn’t too exhausted from all the plans and can throw out thoughts and ideas in the comments!
Go Sox!
Does anyone think Tillson or Delmonico have any value what so ever after this season?
I still have hope for Nicky
No,  I think they will struggle to make rosters wherever they go.  But Felix costs 27 million and was had a negative war last season so it’s about getting the prospects for taking his contract
I’m all for that type of strategy, just not sure Seattle would do that for a zero return. Granted I haven’t looked much into the Sea chatter.
Seattle would give King Felix to anyone for free if they could. He has very negative contract value.
No
I think you have us doing two different things here: we’re either breaking the bank for Machado or absorbing bad money for prospects. I don’t see anyway we do the same thing in the same season.
Yes, I noted in the preamble that I was going to add talent to the major league team and the minors.  At some point we have to field a competent major league team, but I still believe it’s prudent to add to the minors before we are all out competing for the playoffs.  That’s what I was after, but I understand your beliefs that they won’t try and do both.  I hope they do but wouldn’t be surprised if you are correct