White Sox option Danny Mendick, Anderson Severino as roster drops to 26

(Photo by Rick Osentoski/USA TODAY Sports)

Just like every other team in Major League Baseball, the White Sox had to reduce their roster from 28 to 26 today. Unlike most other teams, they had to make such cuts with one game of their weekend series remaining.

The White Sox optioned Danny Mendick and Anderson Severino to Charlotte in advance of this afternoon’s finale with the Los Angeles Angels.

Both were fairly apparent choices, although both had moments. Severino pitched nearly exclusively in mop-up situations, only once appearing in anything narrower than a four-run gap. (That was April 17, when the Sox trailed by two when he started working, and by six when it was over.)

Mendick continued his trend of playing his best at the start of a stint. He hit .250/.318/.500 with a homer and two doubles over 22 plate appearances, but with Leury García and Josh Harrison on guaranteed contract, his spot on the roster is redundant two times over. The fact that his numbers are superior to both the guys above him should make the decision-makers a little bit squirmy about their offseason priorities, even if previous seasons show that Mendick’s numbers sagged when his assignment involved months, not weeks.

More roster decisions await over the coming fortnight. Yoán Moncada and Joe Kelly could complete their rehab stints in Charlotte soon, although it both players are continuing on with the Knights to open a six-game series in Gwinnett starting Tuesday. Johnny Cueto also remains on track for at least one more start at Triple-A. The ball is in the White Sox’s court there until May 15, when Cueto can exercise an opt-out if he’s not on the 26-man roster.

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knoxfire30

If the sox are all in on world series or bust, the next 3 roster choices should reflect that as Moncada, Kelly, and Cueto come into the fold.

Should also note I am not sure what else Yolbert Sanchez has to do to get a shot at the 2nd base job…. that would be 4 big boy roster decisions that loom large.

Last edited 1 year ago by knoxfire30
gibby32

I don’t think the roster decisions are terribly complex, although the White Sox may differ. Burger, Burr and Keuchel should be out. (Yeah, the team would have to eat about 15M on Keuchel’s contract, but that’s a sunk cost, and he contributes nothing.) Sanchez is not yet an issue; too early to give up on Harrison.

knoxfire30

I think a Keuchel DFA is a hard pill for the sox to swallow.

Why isnt burger the DH option vs lefties and some righties if Vaughn is gonna be in LF for 7 more weeks?

The problem the sox face is Burger is their best platoon dh, mendick might be their best utility inf, sanchez may be their best option to start at 2nd, and just about anyone is a better option then Keuchel in the rotation. But their allocation of resources is gonna determine that they dont put the best 26 man roster out there

Maybe they could also stop starting a negative fwar catcher every other game to keep dh alive for burger or someone else who can maybe hit higher than 140

Right Size Wrong Shape

I’d prefer that Vaughn DH against lefties with Engel in right and Pollock in left until Eloy gets back.

metasox

Sox can also give Engel more time in the outfield and mix Vaughn and Pollock thru DH. And Grandal will likely continue getting many of those at bats.

gibby32

I like Jake fine, but his “success” against lefties is over 14 plate appearances this year. I would not bank on it continuing. Even if you did want to bank on it, it is a pretty limited use of a roster spot. As RSWS suggests, using Engel in the outfield with Vaughn as the DH is probably a more optimal use of the roster. As to Keuchel, I think they eat the money, assuming that two of Cueto, Velasquez and Lynn prove functional over the next month to month and a half. They really have no choice if they want to compete. In addition, I think Keuchel is a problem in the clubhouse.

knoxfire30

It wasnt so much his success vs lefties as more of I think 2 guys are best suited for DH on the current eligible roster, sheets and burger and sheets flat cant play vs lefties…. Engel in the OF and Vaughn dh’ing is a viable option but I think this team needs more on offense then what Engel can add.

metasox

Grandal has started a third of the games at DH as well

FishSox

This ^^^^ is a problem, not just because you have a .150 hitter in your DH slot, but because you have no backup catcher at that point.

dongutteridge

While I think Keuchel could turn it around, I’m okay with letting him go if Cueto and Velasquez are healthy and pitching well enough.

Greg Nix

If everyone stays healthy for the next week, looks like Burger, Keuchel/Velasquez and Sousa/Banks would be the natural next candidates to lose roster spots.

shaggy65

Don’t worry, we’ll lose at least 2 more players to injury by then.

HallofFrank

The next DK and VV starts will be worth monitoring. If they both show something—anything—it wouldn’t surprise me to see Kelly & Cueto replace Sousa & Banks, with Keuchel shifting to the bullpen.

metasox

Unless the Sox are convinced he really has nothing, I would also think he would get a chance in the bullpen first. It is still so early in the season with the unknown of future starter injuries that I just have a hard time seeing the Sox easily part with anyone who has a chance of eating some innings.

FishSox

To believe that DK could fool anyone, or throw more strikes, coming out of the bullpen, is smoking hopium.

lifelongjd

Agreed with the above. Stinks to send Burger back down as he’s been one of the few bright spots.

metasox

What has he done that stands out?

Right Size Wrong Shape

He hasn’t sucked, which stands out on this team so far. His defense has been fine, and he’s hit a lot of balls hard. He’s no Moncada, but it’s nice to have him as depth in the organization.

metasox

Sure, organizational depth is fine. Probably no need to carve out a spot on the 26

Right Size Wrong Shape

Agreed, there’s not spot for him here when everyone’s healthy.

Joliet Orange Sox

Prior to today, Burger had put up a 0.643 OPS and has been worth –0.2 bWAR. To me, it is a very easy call to send him down when Moncada is ready.

dongutteridge

Yeah, I like Burger but when Moncada comes back he needs to go down to get regualr at bats. He’s missed so much time.

Also, he will then be ready when he’s called back up after the next inevitable injury.

metasox

And if there is anything to the idea of him playing 2B, this is the chance for him to get those reps

lifelongjd

Agreed Yoan is the preferable option at third. But you can’t tell me we all wouldn’t want to see Burger hitting over Leury or Harrison (until Saturday).

gibby32

Harrison is a better bet.

They’ll also have to do some roster maneuvering once they pick up a totally washed Robinson Canó for 100 PAs before they realize he is in fact totally washed

Last edited 1 year ago by Shingos Cheeseburgers

I’m interested in Canó. He would take Sheets’ spot. If Canó sucks, they release him and bring Sheets back into the fold. If Canó is close to his former self, they have 2nd base solved, put Harrison into the outfield more until Eloy comes back, and Leury goes to his natural utility role.

gibby32

It would be impossible to overstate how much I disagree with this take. Is that you, Kenny?

HallofFrank

Okay, trade idea: Jose Rodriguez and Gavin Sheets to the Nats for Josh Bell.

Bell would be a perfect fit for the White Sox. He would be the full-time DH and he’s currently slashing .351/.457/.506—and he’s even better vs. RHP. If he regresses some (and previous seasons suggest he could), he’ll still be a great option vs. RHP.

For the Nats, Bell is a free agent after this year. And while he’s started off great, he’s not been this good since 2019—so they might want to sell him while he’s hot.

BenwithVen

Willie Calhoun is another name the Sox should explore. Requested a trade and is clearly disgruntled with Ranger’s management.

knoxfire30

I kinda like bell, not sure it would even take that much. Makes some sense although it blocks Vaughn if Eloy ever comes back healthy and hitting.

HallofFrank

Good point, I hadn’t considered how Eloy’s return would shake things up.

a-t

What? You want to trade a 1B/DH with 5 years of control left and a decent prospect for a 1B/DH who walks after this year and is making $10M? Because Bell’s had a hot April and Sheets has had a cold one? I like Bell but they can’t be giving up young players for free agents to be that easily

HallofFrank

Years of control are only valuable if the player is worth rostering. For Sheets, the jury is still out. He looked the part his rookie season, but we’ll see.

Either way, Bell is probably his ceiling. And in a year where the Sox are pushing to win a WS, I’m willing to trade Sheets for a guy who’s already at his ceiling, yes.