A Starling Is Born (chorizy’s offseason plan)

PREAMBLE

I think the pitching staff, especially the starters, are set already.  While I’d like to improve on them, I don’t see a great path.  So I chose to try to create some depth.  My main pick up is someone I believe can both bolster the offense and the outfield defense.

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
  • Adam Engel: $2.2M – Tender
  • Brian Goodwin: $1.7M – Non-Tender
  • Jimmy Cordero: $1.2M – Tender
  • Jace Fry: $1M – Non-Tender

CLUB OPTIONS

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

  • Craig Kimbrel: $16M ($1M buyout) – Buyout
  • César Hernández: $6M Pick Up

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

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

  • Leury García (Made $3.5M in 2021) Let Go
  • Carlos Rodón ($3M) Let Go
  • Billy Hamilton ($1M) Let Go
  • Ryan Tepera ($950K) Let Go

MANAGER

  • Tony La Russa – #RIPIP
  • Ozzie Guillen – Hired 3/12/2022

FREE AGENTS

No. 1: Jonathan Villar [3 yr $15M] Villar is the new, improved Leury Garcia.  He’s more expensive, but his $3.5M contract from last year is upped to $4M this year, followed by $5M and $6M.  He may end up being your every day second baseman.

No. 2: James Paxton [2 yr $10M] Paxton is on the shelf until mid July after having Tommy John surgery, so this contract is $1.5M this year and $8.5M to match his 2021 salary in 2023.  Paxton can bolster the rotation if there is a need in the second half or remain on the 60 Day IL until Sept if not needed.

No. 3: Starling Marte [4 yr $56M] Around the all-star break, it was reported Marte wanted 3-4 years in the $50M range from the Marlins as an extension.  4 years at $12.5, $13.5, $14.5, $15.5 seems like a deal to me, so I’m possibly low balling here, but how can I doubt Bleacher Report.

No. 4: Brad Boxberger [2 yr $5M] Boxberger reduced his BB/9 and increased his K/9.  That’s exactly what the White Sox can use.  Low WHIP with a nice amount of strikeouts.  Contract breaks down into $2M/$3M.  These are for Boxberger’s 34 and 35 yr old seasons, so there is some risk here.

No. 5: Jordan Lyles [Minor League Deal] The Sox were hot n heavy on Lyles a couple of years ago, but he ended up signing with the Rangers.  And he’s stunk since.  Sox get their guy on a minor league deal to give some semblance of pitching depth.

No. 6: Matt Shoemaker [Minor League Deal] Pretty sure both BeefLoaf and the Twins made this mistake last year, but I think it’s worth kicking the tires on Shoemaker to add some depth in a rotation I have grossly underspent on

TRADES

No. 1: Bryan Ramos, Micker Adolfo, and Cristian Mena for Jacob Stallings.   I think the Pirates will be poised to move Stallings with the projected $2.6M in his 2nd of 4 arb years, especially with the abundance of catching prospects they currently have. For the Sox, this means giving the team one of the best defensive catchers in the league.  His ~.700 OPS is somehow an upgrade over current options.

SUMMARY

I find the White Sox to be in a precarious position as they look at their starting rotation.  I believe they want Michael Kopech to be a starter in 2022 and I feel the Dallas Keuchel contract is nearly immovable, despite his incredible beard talent.  This led me to try to bolster that rotation through other means.  A currently one-armed man and minor league deals.  I then turned my attention to what we can do with the position players.  I think Cesar Hernandez is going to be fine and fine at 2b is worth 1 yr $6M.  I am not confident enough in that to not provide the team with a utility guy that could step in at 2b.  My big signing is Starling Marte who can play anywhere in the OF and can hit both right and left handed pitching.  Jacob Stallings is my trade.  I have no idea how to price a defensive catcher.  I know Bucs fans will want more, but I’m not sure what’s realistic and how motivated they are to move him.

Overall, I feel good about the offense.  The pitching staff gives me pause, however.  It’s wild how quickly $172M can be spent.

C Yasmani Grandal $18,250,000
1B Jose Abreu $18,000,000
2B Cesar Hernandez $6,000,000
SS Tim Anderson $9,500,000
3B Yoan Moncada $13,800,000
CF Luis Robert $6,000,000
LF Eloy Jimenez $7,333,333
RF Starling Marte $12,500,000
DH Gavin Sheets $575,000
Util Jonathan Villar $4,000,000
OF/1B/DH Andrew Vaughn $625,000
OF Adam Engel $2,200,000
C Jacob Stallings $2,600,000
SP Lucas Giolito $7,900,000
SP Lance Lynn $18,500,000
SP Dylan Cease $575,000
SP Michael Kopech $575,000
SP Dallas Keuchel $18,000,000
CL Liam Hendriks $13,333,333
RP/SP Reynaldo Lopez $2,800,000
RP Aaron Bummer $2,500,000
RP Brad Boxberger $2,000,000
RP Garrett Crochet $575,000
RP Jimmy Cordero $950,000
RP Ryan Burr $575,000
RP Jose Ruiz $575,000
SP Jordan Lyles Minor League
SP Matt Shoemaker Minor League
60 Day IL James Paxton $1,500,000
Buyout Craig Kimbrel $1,000,000
$172,741,666
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tbsoxfan

It is interesting to think that there’s a close to, but non-zero chance the White Sox are forced into a managerial change due to death. I’m not sure if that’s what you meant but it made me think about it

jhomeslice

I hope it doesn’t take death, but other than that or a health issue, just about any reason for Ozzie to replace TLR would be acceptable and incredibly welcome. One of the cheapest and best ways to improve the team that anybody has suggested.

KenWo4LiFe

Andrew Vaughn making 50 k more than Dylan cease makes no sense to me. Plan stinks.