Bennett Karoll’s White Sox Offseason Plan

12:03 AM CDT on October 21, 2020

PREAMBLE

Ugh I had this 3/4 done and then accidentally refreshed. Basically, I was trying to decide if I’d do this how I would do this or how I think the Sox would. I decided I’d do it the way I think Rick Hahn would.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Nomar Mazara: lol bye
Carlos Rodón: $4.5M Tender. He’ll get one more “healthy” chance in the rotation before he’s done. He’ll get a shot at 5 in ST but most likely ends up as a pen arm.
Lucas Giolito: $2.5M Tender. He should get extended but I’m going to risk waiting one more year to free up money to use elsewhere
Reynaldo López: $1.7M Tender. I don’t think he’s got it but the Sox definitely do. He’ll get a chance to compete for a rotation spot but starts the season in the bullpen. I don’t think he will be good there either but he’ll get the shot
Evan Marshall: $1.3M Tender
Adam Engel: $1M Tender
Jace Fry: $800K Tender
Yolmer Sánchez: Offer him a MiLB deal. If he takes it, he’s good depth. If not, shake his hand and wish him well.

CLUB OPTIONS

Edwin Encarnación: lol bye
Gio González: $500K buyout. For a few million less we could talk about it.
Leury García: $3.5M pick up

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

Try to retain, or let go?

Alex Colomé
- I want to bring him back because I think he’s good but the Sox operate under a rule called “trust the prospects” which means if you can avoid spending money by using a similar level talent that is younger, cheaper, homegrown and controlled for longer, you do. See ya, Alex.
James McCann
- This is one where in a fantasy world or OOTP I’m signing him, letting him DH and catch for Gio. In a real world, he wants to be a starting catcher somewhere. And more power to him. As long as he doesn’t sign in the AL Central or with the Cubs, he’ll be fondly remembered for a great 2-year run where he found himself.
Jarrod Dyson
- let go

COACHING STAFF

Here’s a first: Pick your manager and pitching coach, with any elaboration.

Manager: Sandy Alomar, Jr.
- No, Sandy Alomar, Jr. is not AJ Hinch. Don’t tell Steve Stone. In my opinion there is just too much smoke on Hinch. Alomar covers all the bases they want. He has recent championship experience as Cleveland’s bench coach. He is bilingual. He is a former White Sox player. They interviewed him after Ozzie and Robin were both fired. He wasn’t ready then but he is now.
Pitching coach: Matt Zaleski
- Everyone who has worked with or talked to him has raved. Homegrown talent applies to the coaching staff too.

FREE AGENTS

No. 1: Jose Quintana: 1 year/8 million with a 2021 mutual option
- This isn’t Stroman or Bauer, no. But I just don’t see a world where Jerry approves a contract that size after already complaining about “9-figure losses” during 2019. Quintana is a familiar face who can be a meh #3 if the young guys don’t take a step forward or a good #4 or 5 if they do. And now Rick Hahn DEFINITELY wins the Eloy trade.

No. 2: Joc Pederson: 3 year/30 million (10 mil AAV)
- Twitter can’t ruin a trade for Joc Pederson if they sign him as a free agent! He can play all 3 outfield spots but he’ll slot into RF everyday for the Sox. Yes I’m aware he’s a splits guy. He is better than Mazara in every single way and he’s a good addition to the team that doesn’t break the bank. Plus he can have a Seder with Jerry every year.

No. 3: Austin Romine: 1 year/4 million
- If they can do it with one Tigers catcher… in reality he is your backup catcher going forward. He had a bad year of framing in 2020 but he has a history of positive framing seasons. Plus he’s a playoff vet from his time in New York.

TRADES

No. 1: Trade Zack Collins, Micker Adolfo and DJ Gladney to Cincinnati for Raisel Iglesias ($5.7 mil this year, Arb next year, FA 2022)
- Here is your veteran RP arm to replace Colome. Reds have Archie Bradley, which makes Iglesias expendable. Sox trade a catcher that they don’t trust to catch, an oft-injured OF who has looked good in the minors whenever healthy and a young bat to develop in Gladney. MLB Trade Calculator has it as a fair deal.

SUMMARY

Here is where I explain something. This will be the Opening Day roster. You will notice that neither Michael Kopech, Garrett Crochet or Andrew Vaughn are on the roster. That is not a misprint. It’s clear (and a decent idea) that Kopech will start in AAA next year to ensure he’s good to go and work through the inevitable dead arm that comes with TJ recovery (and possibly get an extra year of control back). I think they still want Crochet to start, and will start him in the assumedly normal minors this year with that intention. They’ll definitely keep Vaughn down until they get the extra year, but I doubt they wait till Super 2. So he’ll be up in a few weeks, but not on opening day.