Gboyle97’s 2020-2021 Offseason Plan
PREAMBLE
The 2020 season was one to remember for Sox fans. After years of waiting for this moment, our window has finally opened. Seeing the development of young players like Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez, and Lucas Giolito as well as the continued success of veterans in Jose Abreu, James McCann, and Dallas Keuchel really brought some light to the dark days of 2020. While there certainly were disappointing aspects to the season (Moncada, Encarnacion, Mazara, Cease) , there is a lot to look forward to on the South Side.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2020 salaries, arranged by the three calculation methods described by MLB Trade Rumors. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Nomar Mazara: $5.6M | $5.9M | $5.7M (Non-Tender)
- Carlos Rodón: $4.5M | $4.5M | $4.5M (Non-Tender)
- Lucas Giolito: $2.5M | $5.3M | $2.5M
- EXTEND: 7 Years – 100 Million
- Reynaldo López: $1.7M | $2.2M | $1.7M (Tender)
- Evan Marshall: $1.3M | $1.9M | $1.4M (Tender)
- Adam Engel: $1M | $1.4M | $1M (Tender)
- Jace Fry: $800K | $1M | $800K (Tender)
- Yolmer Sánchez: Uncertain (Non-Tender)
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Edwin Encarnación: $12M (Decline)
- Gio González: $7M ($500K buyout) -BUYOUT
- Leury García: $3.5M ($250K buyout) – BUYOUT
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, or let go?
- Alex Colomé (Made $10,532,500 in 2020) – Let Go
- James McCann (Made $5.4M in 2020) – Sign 3 Years, 36 Million
- Jarrod Dyson (Made $2M in 2020) – Let Go
COACHING STAFF
Here’s a first: Pick your manager and pitching coach, with any elaboration.
- Manager: A.J Hinch
- 2nd Option: Joe Espada
While the stench of the cheating scandal may loom, Hinch is everything the White Sox are looking for. He has proven playoff success, embraces analytics, and has helped developed a team of prospects before. It seems like a slam dunk hire, but in the event that the cheating scandal deters Reinsdorf, I would go with Joe Espada. Joe Espada has been a coach in both the Yankees and Astros organization. He has most recently been the Astros Bench coach (2018-present). Growing in a championship organization, Espada may lack the managerial experiennce, but he certainly checks off a lot of boxes for the White Sox. His ability to speak Spanish would also be an added plus with our core.
- Pitching coach: Ethan Katz
Better known as Lucas Giolito’s high school pitching coach. He is currently the assistant Pitching Coach for the San Francisco Giants. While Katz staff wasn’t super impressive last year, he definitely didn’t have much to work with. He was able to get a decent amount out of an over-the-hill Kevin Gausman, a previously struggling Drew Smyly, and even a declining Trevor Cahill. The dude knows how to get the best out of pitchers. His work with Lucas Giolito proves this as well. Perhaps he can come on board and get the most out of idling pitchers like Dylan Cease and Reynaldo Lopez.
FREE AGENTS
List three free-agent targets you’d pursue during the offseason, with a reasonable contract. A good example of a bad idea:
No. 1: Marcus Stroman (5 years, $80 million)
Sox need another stud arm. Stroman is going to be cheaper than Bauer and honestly will mesh better with the clubhouse.
No. 2: Joc Pederson (2 Years, $25 Million)
Don’t see Jerry paying Springer. I can dream though. Still, I think we definitely can afford to bring Joc in on a deal like this. Dude will bring power and may not hit for average, but when used in platoon with Engel we should be able to make RF serviceable again.
No. 3: Drew Smyly (1 Years, $2 Million)
The Sox need long relievers. Smyly has experience with Katz and can give you innings if one of our younger starters fails.
No. 4: Jose Quintana (2 Years, $15 Million)
I know, I know, but Quintana makes a lot of sense. He can eat innings out of the bullpen, but I think he should start immediately. I think it’s time to build up Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech through bullpen work. I think he’ll be happy to be back on the right side of town.
TRADES
None
Lineup:
- Tim Anderson- SS
- Yoan Moncada-3B
- Jose Abreu-1B
- Eloy Jimenez-LF
- Yasmani Grandal-C
- Luis Robert-CF
- Joc Pederson-RF
- Andrew Vaughn-DH
- Nick Madrigal-2B
Bench:
James McCann-C
Danny Mendick-Utility
Adam Engel-CF (RF/LF)
Yermin Mercedes-DH
Pitching Rotation:
- Lucas Giolito
- Dallas Keuchel
- Marcus Stroman
- Dane Dunning
- Jose Quintana
Bullpen:
Drew Smyly – Long Reliever / Spot Starter
Dylan Cease – Long Reliever / Spot Starter
Michael Kopech – Long Reliever
Matt Foster – Middle Reliever
Evan Marshall – Middle Reliever
Codi Heuer – Middle Reliever
Aaron Bummer – Set-Up Man
Garrett Crochet – Closer
