The bess plan, by perikson7
PREAMBLE
This is the year the Sox need to supplant the young core with established stars. Its been 10 years since the last playoff appearance and the lore of the rebuild is starting to wear off. This plan will add some high-priced veterans along with some young cost-controlled players.
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
CLUB OPTIONS
• Nate Jones, $4.65 million/$1.25M buyout- Pick Up
• James Shields, $16 million/$2M buyout- Buy Out
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
• Miguel Gonzalez (made $4.75 million in 2018)- Gone
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Manny Machado (Ten years, $320 million, opt out after 4).
The White Sox have lacked a solid third baseman since Joe Crede. They don’t have much at 3B in the minors either with Jake Burger coming off an Achilles injury and Curbelo/Bush light years away. Machado brings the star power and skill that fans will show up for. He’s an average defender at 3B and sported a monster .297/.367/.538 triple slash last year.
No. 2: Patrick Corbin (Four years, $120 million).
The sox are very thin at SP. Rodon hasn’t developed into the top of the rotation pitcher due to a rash of injuries. Lopez rebounded nicely towards the end of the year, but I’m not sold he’s more than a back of the rotation pitcher. Giolito was an absolute disaster. Cease and Dunning are on their way, but the Sox still need another high-end starter if they want to be competitive. Arrieta has a somewhat similar track record an received a 3-year 75 Mil deal last offseason. Corbin has a 4-pitch mix and relies mostly on a plus slider and solid sinker. His 6.3% HR/FB (6th overall in MLB) would play well in the G Rate. He also ranked 5th in baseball in SO-BB%.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade Nate Jones and Spencer Adams to Oakland for Jorge Mateo. Im pretty confident in the young arms in the bullpen and we have plenty of back end fringey SP(Stephens/Guerrero). Oakland has a jam in the MI with Jed Lowrie, Marcus Semien, and Franklin Barretto. They also have Ramon Laureano entrench in CF with Dustin Fowler also capable in CF. Oakland lacks another solid option out of the pen outside of Treinen and Familia. The also have a lack of depth at SP with Puk and Graveman recovering from TJ surgery. Oakland is a solid team competing for a playoff spot and could use both of these pitchers even if neither is really overwhelming. Mateo is an ultra-athletic SS/OF with 80 grade speed. He has an average hit tool and some surprising pop. He’s coming off an awful year and there was reports of some attitude issues so Oakland could be tempted to move him. If you toss last year he has a 125 wRC+ through his minor league career(112 including 2018).Most scouts think CF is where he will end up and I’d be willing to give him a shot there.
SUMMARY
C: Castillo
1B: Abreu
2B: Moncada
SS: Anderson
3B: Machado
LF: Delmonico
CF: L. Garcia
RF: A. Garcia
UTIL: Davidson, Mateo, Sanchez, Narvaez
SP:
Corbin
Rodon
Lopez
Giolito
Covey/Stephens
BP:
Fry
Minaya
Hamilton
Burr
Viera
Bummer
Frare
Fulmer
Payroll is about $118 mil.
I’m not sure about that exact trade scenario with Oakland, but they do seem like an interesting trade partner if they want to try to grab a post hype CF. You also mentioned fowler, hed be interesting too. Good idea there.
Fowler would be great I just don’t think the A’s would have any interest dealing him. Mateo isn’t locked into a position and the spots he could fit he’s blocked. I liked him quite a bit in NY and was hoping he was part of the Dbob/kahnle trade. Its a risk for sure, but hes close to if not MLB ready and would be an upgrade I think regardless over engel/leury.
I’m not sure I can support a plan that spends $440 million this winter and involves sending out an outfield of Delmonico-Leury-Avi, even if Eloy replaces one of them.