PREAMBLE
Overall record and Rick Renteria’s propensity to bunt aside, last season was an overwhelming success for the White Sox. The reasons for that are simple:
- Yoan Moncada, Tim Anderson, and Lucas Giolito took massive steps forward to becoming superstar-type players.
- Eloy Jimenez is going to be an absolute monster (duh). He really started to figure things out the last couple of months of the season, and will be hitting 40+ bombs on the south side for a very long time.
- Dylan Cease is has electric stuff (hello, spin rate). While the overall results weren't there, he has the chance to be an upper-echelon starter once he can harness his control.
Now that this core has taken the next step, it's time for the front office to do the same. It's time to spend. So, here goes!
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender” or “non-tender” after each player and their projected 2020 salaries. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Alex Colomé, $10.3M - Non-tender
- Yolmer Sánchez, $6.2M - Non-tender
- James McCann, $4.9M - Tender
- Carlos Rodon, $4.5M - Tender
- Leury García, $4M - Tender
- Evan Marshall, $1.3M - Tender
- Josh Osich, $1M - Non-tender
- Ryan Goins, $900K - Non-tender
I can understand the arguments both for and against Colome, but when working within the confines of Jerry Reinsdorf's budget constraints, I just can't justify paying over $10M for a pitcher that was nowhere as good as his ERA/WHIP indicate. I'd rather invest the money elsewhere.
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” after the option.
- Welington Castillo: $8 million/$500,000 buyout - Decline (Buyout)
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, or let go?
- Jose Abreu (made $16M in 2019) - Retain
- Iván Nova (made $9,166,167 in 2019) - Let go
- Jon Jay (made $4M in 2019) - Let go
- Hector Santiago (made $2M in 2019 on split contract) - Let go
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: J.D. Martinez (three years, $72M).
My clear-cut #1 free agent target. Martinez is an elite hitter and would completely transform this offense. Not only does he hit for both average and power, but actually takes walks! Due $62.5M over the next 3 years ($20.8M average), $24M per year should be enough to get it done. And I'm very confident in him aging well, especially playing mostly at DH.
No. 2: Yasmani Grandal (Four years, $75M).
One of the best pitch framers in baseball, Grandal would be a huge upgrade to a young pitching staff. Oh yeah, he's also a switch-hitter with power and has averaged 90.5 walks over the last two seasons. He can spell Abreu (rest) at 1B and Martinez (RF, rest) at DH as well.
No. 3: Jose Abreu (two years, $26M).
Bringing Abreu back on a short, team-friendly deal makes all the sense in the world. I'm not counting on his 2019 production going forward, but there's still some pop in that bat and to be honest, I just want to see him have the chance to win here. He deserves it.
No. 4: Alex Wood (one year, $8M).
I've always liked Wood' stuff, he just can't seem to stay healthy. And coming off another injury-plagued season, the idea of a one-year "prove it" deal makes a lot of sense. Even if he can just bridge the gap until Rodon comes back, I think that's a win. Plus, it would be nice to have at least one lefty in the starting rotation.
No 5: Wade Miley (one year, $7M).
Would one-year be enough to get in done for Miley? I think that $7M is a bit of an overpay for a guy that couldn't crack the ALCS roster, so yeah, it should be. I like the idea of Miley as a swing guy and as Alex Wood insurance.
No. 6: Daniel Hudson (two years, $19M).
This feels like an overpay, but I'm buying into Hudson's resurgence this season. Plus, I'm sick of seeing former White Sox dominate in the playoffs - let's bring him back home.
No, 7: Jeremy Jeffress (one year, $2M).
Jeffress was released in September and dealt with shoulder issues a lot of the year, but he's just one-year removed from having an elite season with the Brewers. If his injury-plagued season suppresses his value, I love the upside on a one-year deal here.
TRADES
No. 1: Jonathan Stiever and Zack Collins for Brandon Nimmo .
I'm a huge fan of Nimmo for two reasons - a left-handed bat and his OBP. He's only going to be 27 next season and is estimated to earn $1.25M in arbitration, so he's young and very affordable. At the same time, he has a hard time staying healthy so I believe the Mets would be willing to part with him in the right deal.
SUMMARY
Lineup
- Luis Robert ($600K) CF
- Yoan Moncada ($600K) 3B
- J.D. Martinez ($24M) DH
- Yasmani Grandal ($18.75M) C
- Eloy Jimenez ($2.33M) LF
- Tim Anderson ($4M) SS
- Jose Abreu ($13M) 1B
- Brandon Nimmo ($1.25M) RF
- Nick Madrigal ($600K) 2B
Bench
- Leury Garcia ($4M)
- James McCann ($4.9M)
- Adam Engel ($600K)
- Danny Mendick ($600K)
Starting Rotation
- Lucas Giolito ($600K)
- Michael Kopech ($600K)
- Alex Wood ($8M)
- Dylan Cease ($600K)
- Reynaldo Lopez ($600K)
Bullpen
- Daniel Hudson ($9.5M)
- Aaron Bummer ($600K)
- Kelvin Herrera ($8.5M)
- Jeremy Jeffress ($2M)
- Jimmy Cordero ($600K)
- Evan Marshall ($1.3M)
- Jace Fry ($1.3M)
- Wade Miley ($7M)
IL
- Carlos Rodon ($4.5M)
Total Payroll = $120M
Knowing that Gerrit Cole is realistically unattainable, I felt that my money was best spent offensively on veterans that I know are going to produce. There's no reason (okay I can think of one) why the Sox should't be able to land both Martinez and Grandal this year. Adding those two pieces would change the dynamic of this lineup drastically.
Pitching-wise, I'm counting on the young starters to continue to take steps forward. And while the bullpen doesn't look exciting on paper, those arms are just so volatile that I'm willing to take my chances on the arms we have and some veteran bounce backs.
