Podcast: 2020/21 Free Agency Class

Josh and Jim look at the 2020/21 Free Agency class picking out possible targets for the Chicago White Sox to sign. They also discuss how Leury Garcia could be used playing under Tony La Russa, updates to the coaching staff, and answer your questions in P.O. Sox. 

P.O. Sox Questions

Andrew Segall

Will any success the Sox have this season be used as vindication of the decision to hire TLR? I want the Sox to do well and I don’t want this botched hiring job to be seen as a success.

Kevin Shannon

La Russa said he had no one specific for pitching coach but at this point is there any hope left the new pitching coach won’t be an internal hire?

mark sambor

Is the state of the WhiteSox franchise in a better place today than it was Oct 2nd?

Rob Leadaman

I am resigned to saying THAT’S SO WHITE SOX until Jerry finally punts the bucket, aren’t I?

Patreon Bonus P.O. Sox Questions

Mark Hope

Knowing that TLR is the manager based solely on one person’s desire are there any other recent transactions that are worth re-examining knowing that a single person’s wishes dictate on field decisions?

Josh Ghera

With both the pandemic and the CBA set to expire soon, does MLB’s desire to expand to 32 teams get pushed back a few years?

Matthew Masini

Knowing how things played out, would you prefer another year of Renteria and Cooper? Does your decision jive with what you think Hahn would feel as well?

Click play below to listen:

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This episode is dedicated to a long-time friend of Sox Machine, Jim Osborn.

If you would like to leave a comment for Jim’s family and read his obituary, you can do so here.

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andyfaust

Rest well, Jimmy. You’ll be missed. I always enjoyed reading your contributions to soxmachine. You were well liked by everyone, and you definitely knew your stuff. Great Sox fan, and by all accounts, a great human being.

asinwreck

Jimmy’s attempt to look for what a player could do (rather than what a player could not do) is consistent with the “yes and” philosophy that no doubt informed his Second City work.

GrinnellSteve

I always felt Jimmy was a kindred spirit, and I looked forward to every word he wrote. As I edge closer to 69 I realize it’s way too young to pass. My heart goes out to Jimmy’s family, close friends, and to all of us who relied on his wisdom.

knoxfire30

MLBTR top 50 free agents with guesses is out, sox signing springer, paxson, re-sign colome… not bad.

dansomeone

They predict 5/125M for Springer. That’s what the Sox reportedly offered Zack Wheeler last offseason, so if they were willing to spend it last year, then spend it now. I’d rather have Springer than Wheeler.

knoxfire30

I think springer is the better overall player of the two (and would be happy to have him) but in the wheeler vs springer scenario of who helps the sox more I think the whitesox have a much bigger need with a 1st 2nd starter type then they do another stud bat in the lineup.

HallofFrank

I agree, @knoxfire30. If it’s take it or leave it, I’d be happy with Springer, Paxton, and Colome. But SP is a bigger concern. If the Sox miss the 2021 playoffs (or stumble early) the reason is likely SP. The offense is good (maybe great) without Springer and the bullpen is good without Colome. The rotation *could* be good, but you have to squint pretty hard—and you don’t have to squint hard to see it being a major problem.

If I have to pick one, I’d prefer the Sox pursue Bauer instead of Springer (close to a financial wash) and patch RF. A Bauer/Giolito/Keuchel trio is among the best in baseball and, with the Sox offense, could create a playoff juggernaut.

asinwreck

The Mets have two holes in their lineup: C and CF. If they think Springer can stay in CF for the next few years, I don’t see the Sox outbidding Steve Cohen.

andyfaust

Precisely why Sox should trade with them for Nimmo, per my plan.

Eagle Bones

Would be good to see them go bigger in the rotation and pen, but that’s probably nit picking to some degree. Those are the three areas they should be targeting and if they can reel in Springer, I could probably live with lesser additions at the other two spots.

texag10

If Paxton is healthy, he can be really good. I’d be shocked if a one year deal gets it done but who knows. I also don’t hate getting Colome back for 6M but for only 4M more we could get Hendriks (apparently). We theoretically have room to add 45M (vs 41M) to this roster, so don’t half ass and spent the extra money.

Eagle Bones

I think I like Kluber better than Paxton among the guys that might only take one year, but he’s not a terrible option. If they go that route (a one year guy), maybe you throw another Gio Gonzalez like signing on top of that to give yourself a little more depth / injury protection. Maybe that gets you Stroman production without the long-term commitment.

texag10

Kluber is further removed from being good than Paxton and they both have injury concerns. How concerned are we about the QO penalty? If we sign Springer, does that push us away from Stroman/Gausman?

Eagle Bones

It shouldn’t, but with this FO you never know.

dwjm3

The best way to get the fanbase to move on from the tortured coaching search is to spend.

Trooper Galactus

I’d like to be optimistic they can do this, but given Jerry’s history of undercutting his franchise’s success at critical moments, it’s hard to believe he’s going to open his wallet while crying about the franchise “losing” money.

Eagle Bones

Agreed, I actually asked this question in the MLBTR chat today. Everyone in the general media seems to be assuming they’re going to spend and I’m not sure where that’s coming from.

dwjm3

Yup, it would be crazy to predict exactly what Jerry will do next.

I used to view Reinsdorf as miserly and a poor overseer of professional sports organizations. After the move to hire LaRussa I’m starting to wonder if he is more eccentric than I ever realized. The man’s need to atone for a mistake he made 30 plus years points to one strange individual.

MrTopaz

Jim and Josh brought up Tony going over Hahn’s head to Jerry, and I’ve seen a couple of randos on twitter drawing a connection between Molina and La Russa, so that’s my prediction for Jerry undercutting the team.

dwjm3

I think this is a significant dynamic to watch.

The word I heard from Angels fans was Maddon was Artie Moreno’s guy and he pushed Eppler’s guy Ausmus out the door.

Of course Billy Eppler was fired by the next offseason. I’m not suggesting Rick is on the verge of getting fired but he is certainly in an awkward position.

dongutteridge

Firstly, RIP Jimmy Osborn.

Secondly, the free agent that I want the Sox to sign the most is Taijuan Walker. Second, is George Springer. Bring back Colome. That will be all.

No thank you to James Paxton.

GrinnellSteve

I wonder if Tony looks at Leury as this roster’s Tony Phillips.