Garry’s Ridiculous Off-Season Plan

PREAMBLE

This scenario while improbable…is not impossible. The F.O. showed us as much during the trade deadline this last season. Sox are in win-now mode and know they need either a lot more offensive diversity or to greatly sure up the quality of play. While both through signings is possible I foresee the coaching staff taking a step forward to improve defense and base-running next season. Or that’s what Hahn and Co. will preach.

My plan hinges on one big free-agent signing coupled with one GIANT trade.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2022 salaries. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.

• Lucas Giolito: $7.9M – Tender
• Reynaldo López; $2.8M – Tender
• Evan Marshall: $2.3M – Non-Tender (Invite to Spring Training later)
• Adam Engel: $2.2M – Tender
• Brian Goodwin: $1.7M – Non-Tender
• Jimmy Cordero: $1.2M – Tender
• Jace Fry: $1M – Non-Tender (Bring back on minor league deal)

CLUB OPTIONS

Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.

• Craig Kimbrel: $16M ($1M buyout) – Decline/Buyout. Hey here’s a thought experiment! You are Hahn at the trade-deadline and the rest of the FO says “take the decent haul of Madrigal and Heuer and see what you can get!”. Frazier? Just one of those outfielders the Braves got? Shwarber? Naw man – Kimbrel. Now I don’t blame Hahn NEARLY as much as Kimbrel here. It was indeed an ok trade on paper if all goes great. Rick…. let’s just cut ties, the fans will forgive and appreciate your conviction.
• César Hernández: $6M – Decline

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?

• Leury García (Made $3.5M in 2021) – Retain. Bring back on a 3 Year 10 Million Dollar Deal.
• Carlos Rodón ($3M) : Extend Q.O. But my plans are that he doesn’t take it.
• Billy Hamilton ($1M) – Retain on a one-year $1M deal with incentives.
• Ryan Tepera ($950K) – Retain on a 3 year $6M deal.

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: Chris Taylor (4 years, 48 million) You have no idea how much I want Semien but I couldn’t make it work with the other big contract we’re acquiring.

No. 2: Martin Maldonado (Two Years, $6 million) Idk man, if you can’t beat them. Any defensive catcher will fit here. Gomes might cost a bit too much. But my god we need help with runners and blocking. Please White Sox.

No. 3: Ryan Tepera  (Three Years, $6 million)

No. 4: Eduardo Rodriguez (Three Years, $36 million) – Really any lefty will do that will take 12 mil or less. Kershaw? Duffy? Mad Max?

EXTENSIONS: Jose Abreau 3 Years 30 Million. 

Wait what? Idk if this is possible but Jose agrees to rework his contract so next year his salary is 10 mil but he gets two extra years….and he gets to finish his career a White Sox. Hey it’s my reality I get to cheat. Real talk I think he’d be open to this. Man I can’t believe Keuchel is getting paid the same as him….

TRADES

No. 1: Trade Eloy Jimenez and Jared Kelly for Bryce Harper and Didi Gregorious. Philadelphia to chip in cash as well. Crazy….I know. Why would Philly trade their star outfielder for anything really? Especially after he silently put up MVP numbers? Well simply put they need to diversify just as much as the Sox do. Harper putting up video game numbers alone is not going to move the needle. If they relieve that salary they can add another big fish such as Corey Seager and then a couple other pieces. And they get in return a younger cost-controlled big bopper. The Sox finally get their right fielder who can hit absolute nukes in bridgeport. Well more specifically FLY BALLS. And get some pretty good defense as well. Move Vaughn to left field. You might be asking would the front office take on such a contract? Well they have already offered a similar contract. 10 years 260 million…is what is left on Bryce’s contract and what the Machado contract was. Have things changed since the pursuit of Machado? Yes, but have they really taken on that much more long term money? Bryce will have to approve this trade…but he seemed to like Chicago. Didi Gregorious is another pain for the Phillies – I figure they eat all but 5 mill in the process. Gregorious if he rebounds at all is a good defense lefty. I don’t think he will just for the record but he essentially replaces Cesar….but plays SS instead.

No. 2: Trade Dallas Keuchel for anything…get rid of as much of his salary as you can.
Ummm…I’ve heard teams need pitching right?

SUMMARY

So a LOT has to go right for this plan. But it’s possible especially if the Sox are well within a top 10 salary team. And regardless of what happens to Pito or Keuchel next year that’s a lot of money off the books. They can go big this off-season. Below is my 26 man roster.

Starting Pitchers
Lucas Giolito
Lance Lynn
Michael Kopech
Dylan Cease
Eduardo Rodriguez

Bullpen
Liam Hendricks
Aaron Bummer
Garret Crochet
Ryan Tepera
Reynaldo Lopez
Jimmy Cordero
Jose Ruiz
Ryan Burr

Outfield
Andrew Vaughn
Luis Robert
Bryce Harper
Adam Engel
Billy Hamilton

Infield
Yoan Moncada
Tim Anderson
Chris Taylor
Gavin Sheets
Jose Abreau
Yasmani Grandal
Martin Maldonado
Didi Gregorious

FINAL PAYROLL: 175 Million (*about)

Let me know how crazy you guys think I am!

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