kevpotte’s Offseason Plan of the Highest Variety

PREAMBLE

In 2020 the White Sox proved that they’re no longer the cellar dwellers we’ve grown to both love and hate over the course of the past decade. Our Sox will look to improve upon an impressive 2020 campaign through a series of moves that will help a competitive team transform into a dominant force.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

  • Nomar Mazara: $5.6M | $5.9M | $5.7M – NONTENDER
    • This was a tougher decision than I expected as Mazara turned it on towards the end of the season and their lineup is still missing left handed bats. Ultimately, the uncertainty surrounding the trajectory of Nomar’s offensive performance and the $5.5M+ price tag make him a candidate to be non-tendered. Let another team gamble on him.
  • Carlos Rodón: $4.5M | $4.5M | $4.5M – NONTENDER
    • Carlos Rodon represents everything the White Sox need to distance themselves from in 2021 and beyond: Injury-prone and underperforming prospects. Whether it be HardKarl, Nomar or Reynaldo (spoiler alert) it’s time to cut loose the baggage and move into 2021 and beyond with guys they KNOW are ready to game.
  • Lucas Giolito: $20M – EXTEND (5 yr/$100 million)
    • While there’s always the chance Lucas looks to work on an extension in a non-COVID impacted 2021 offseason and the beefier contracts that will likely come with it, Lucas may instead want to capitalize on the two strong campaigns he’s coming off of and lock up his big pay day. While the price tag is high, the proof is in the pudding when it comes to high-end pitching winning championships. I don’t see anyone else on the roster who looks remotely like an Ace at this point in time making this a no-brainer for Hahn and Co.
  • Reynaldo López: $1.7M | $2.2M | $1.7M – NONTENDER
    • It’s time. Giolito/Dunning for Eaton is still a huge net positive.
  • Evan Marshall: $1.3M | $1.9M | $1.4M – TENDER
    • Dependable middle reliever who doesn’t seem to crap the bed as much as your typical Sox arm, easy call.
  • Adam Engel: $1M | $1.4M | $1M – TENDER
    • My opinion on Adam Engel has ranged from bum to everyday starter so let’s meet in the middle and sign him back on as a utility guy. He’s an incredible pinch runner or late-game defensive replacement and a decent fourth OF. For under $1.5 this seems like an easy call for a team with almost no one who can run.
  • Jace Fry: $800K | $1M | $800K – TENDER
    • I’m not crazy about Fry and would let him go in a heartbeat if it looked like Crochet was the lefty reliever of 2021 and beyond. I’m guessing he won’t see Comiskey next season but will be spending his time mastering pitch #3 and becoming a starter.
  • Yolmer Sánchez: Uncertain – NONTENDER
    • Goofy version of Danny Mendick can walk!

CLUB OPTIONS

  • Edwin Encarnación: $12M – DECLINE
  • Gio González: $7M ($500K buyout) – BUYOUT
  • Leury García: $3.5M ($250K buyout) – BUYOUT
    • I don’t think much needs to be said regarding any of these moves.

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

  • Alex Colomé (Made $10,532,500 in 2020) – LET GO
    • Man this one is tough, but I think someone will grossly overpay for his services and our Sox will ride their stable of rookie arms.
  • James McCann (Made $5.4M in 2020) – LET GO
    • Mac is a starting catcher, let him go be one.
  • Jarrod Dyson (Made $2M in 2020) – LET GO

COACHING STAFF

  • Manager: Omar Vizquel
    • Whether you’re looking for a former star, someone with managerial experience (albeit non-MLB) or someone who can communicate well with the Spanish-speaking core of this team, Omar checks a lot of boxes. I know it can be hard to imagine hiring someone you just fired from a lesser role only one year ago, but I love this fit. It’s also worth noting it seems Omar was let go due to the organization’s wish to insert a bevy of player-development focused coaches and that it seemed like a “it’s not you, it’s me” dumping by Getz. Now that player development is no longer the top priority for a southside manager, Vizquel makes more sense. Look for Omar to energize this team and help our infield continue to improve defensively.
  • Pitching coach: Matt Zaleski
    • The internal front-runner for the job also happens to have been Vizquel’s pitching coach when he managed the Winston-Salem Dash back in 2018, making this a perfect fit. If Vizquel is dead-set on choosing his own pitching coach Zaleski can stay put in his current role and continue to help mold the Sox bullpen of the future in the minors.

FREE AGENTS

No. 1: Cesar Hernandez (1 yr/$4M)

  • If you can’t beat em, join em. Err if you can’t get him out, give him the best offer on the market to come play for you. $4 mil is a bit higher than his 2020 price tag, but he’s proven he’s worth the cash as a defensively sound, switch hitter who can rake for contact. Nick Madrigal played fine, just fine, but will not be on the roster in 2020 as you’ll see in the next section.

No. 2: Jose Quintana (1 yr/$4M)

  • The Buick is back! A team-friendly “prove-it” deal will give the White Sox a much needed starter and give Q a chance to prove he’s still worth a multi-year deal heading into 2022 free agency.

No. 3: Brock Holt (1 yr/$1.5M)

  • The Sox get their utility man in the form of journeyman vet Brock Holt. He should see some starts at 2B, 3B, LF, and RF and is a cheap way to fill the Leury vacancy.

TRADES

No. 1: Trade Nick Madrigal, Dylan Cease, Matthew Thompson and Luis Gonzalez to Texas in exchange for Joey Gallo and Lance Lynn.

  • If the Rangers see themselves as the rest of the league sees them, it’s time to blow it up. Lynn/Gallo represent the best pitcher and hitter on the roster and Texas would likely only give them up for a great haul. This may seem like an overpay for a guy who’s past 30 and a guy with only 2 years of club control left, but if the Sox want to win now they need to be aggressive in finding their guys. This fills both the massive void in Right Field, the missing left handed bat, and one of the holes in the rotation.

SUMMARY

Lineup:

  1. SS – Tim Anderson (R)
  2. 3B – Yoan Moncada (S)
  3. 1B – Jose Abreu (R)
  4. LF – Eloy Jimenez (R)
  5. RF – Joey Gallo (L)
  6. C – Yasmani Grandal (S)
  7. CF – Luis Robert (R)
  8. DH – Andrew Vaughn (R)
  9. 2B – Cesar Hernandez (S)

Pitching Rotation

  1. Lucas Giolito (R)
  2. Dallas Keuchel (L)
  3. Lance Lynn (R)
  4. Jose Quintana (L)
  5. Michael Kopech ®

Bullpen

  • Dane Dunning (R) (swingman/long reliever)
  • Jimmy Cordero (R)
  • Jace Fry (L)
  • Jose Ruiz (R)
  • Matt Foster (R)
  • Codi Heuer (R)
  • Evan Marshall (R)
  • Aaron Bummer (L)

Bench

  • OF – Adam Engel (R)
  • IF – Danny Mendick (R)
  • C/1B – Zack Collins (L)
  • UTIL – Brock Holt (L)
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GrabSomeBench

I’m thinking that is a heck of a deal for TEXAS

metasox

I kind of like Holt but would like to see both Holt and Garcia or some equivalent depth. Madrigal may not be available to start the season and I don’t trust Moncada and Anderson will both get through the season without missing time.

Papa Giorgio

Not Joey Gallo, Joey Callo