PREAMBLE
The White Sox need to really shake up the roster this offseason, in my opinion. So I decided to get crazy, with no players not named Dylan Cease off-limits in the trade market (which my plan reflects). The team needs more lefty bats, a cheaper bullpen, and better defense. I also think Jerry Reinsdorf might enjoy this plan, because it forces fans to buy more jerseys, as all the players on their current jerseys were likely traded.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Lucas Giolito: $10.8M tender
- Dylan Cease: $5.3M tender
- Reynaldo López; $3.3M tender
- Adam Engel: $2.3M non-tender
- Michael Kopech: $2.2M tender
- Kyle Crick: $1.5M non-tender
- José Ruiz: $1M non-tender
- Danny Mendick: $1M tender (he doesn't make my opening day roster, but his 2 remaining options make this a no-brainer IMO)
CLUB OPTIONS
- Tim Anderson: $12.5M ($1M buyout) pick up
- Josh Harrison: $5.625M ($1.5M buyout) decline
PLAYER OPTIONS
- AJ Pollock: $13M ($5 million buyout) — EXERCISED
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- José Abreu (Made $18M in 2021) let go
- Johnny Cueto ($4.2M)let go
- Vince Velasquez ($3M) let go
- Elvis Andrus ($14.25M) let go
MANAGER
Kevin Long. This team needs to start lifting the ball and hitting it over the fence again, and I think Kevin Long is the manager that can help them do that. My initial thought was Ron Washington to help improve the team defense, but the Phillies are good proof that hitting the shit out of the ball is more important than great defense.
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Brandon Nimmo (6 years, $150,000,000). Nimmo might be the most popular free agent target for Sox fans this year, and it's because it makes way too much sense. A left handed outfielder with good plate discipline, okay power, and good-ish defense (although I don't think Andrew Vaughn's defense is a very difficult bar to clear. Hell, Sister Jean might play better right field than him)
That's it for free agents. Now it's time to get crazy.
Trades
Disclaimer: I used Baseball Trade Values' Trade Simulator for all of these. I know it's not the best at evaluating a players worth, and many people have their qualms with it. Some trades were one's I thought sounded fair for both sides, and some were evaluated by the simulator. But hey, it's all for fun, so what does it really matter?
No. 1: Three-team trade with the Marlins and Yankees
White Sox get: Jazz Chisholm (Marlins), Pablo Lopez (Marlins), Clay Holmes (Yankees)
Marlins get: Colson Montgomery (Sox), Everson Pereira (Yankees), Luis Robert (Sox)
Yankees get: Joe Kelly (Sox), Andrew Vaughn (Sox), Norge Vera (Sox), Jake Eder (Marlins)
I think this trade makes some sense for all sides. Sox get an electric lefty second baseman for the next 4 years, a solid (and cheap) #3 or very good #4 starting pitcher for the next two years, and a very good bullpen arm that ISN'T getting paid 8 million dollars! On top of all this, they unload Joe Kelly and free up almost $14 million in the payroll. The Marlins are getting Luis Robert, Colson Montgomery (a potential replacement for Jazz), and the Yankees #5 prospect, an OFer who had an .819 OPS, with 14 HRs and 21 steals in the minors last year. Finally the Yankees get a cheaper replacement for Rizzo, so they can focus solely on Judge this offseason, and a couple pitching prospects. They're taking on Joe Kelly's contract, but if there's one team that can afford it, it's the Yankees.
No. 2: Trade Loidel Chapelli and James Beard to the Nationals for Hunter Harvey.
Harvey had the 10th best fastball among relievers according to Fangraphs. The only problem was all of his other pitches sucked. I say we let Katz work his magic and try to turn Harvey into an elite reliever. The Sox are only giving up their 25th best prospect in Chapelli and a throw-in in James Beard.
No. 3 Trade Kendall Graveman to the Cardinals for Miles Mikolas
The Cardinals could use another reliever after their meltdown in the playoffs. Mikolas is on an expiring contract, and they're freeing up over $6 million so they can spend an even more ridiculous amount this offseason. Mikolas is on an expiring deal, so I think the Sox can afford this one, especially after this next trade.
No. 4 Three-team trade with the Orioles and Mariners
White Sox get: Sam Haggerty (Mariners), Tom Murphy (Mariners), Anthony Santander (Orioles)
Orioles get: Jarred Kelenic (Mariners)
Mariners get: Lucas Giolito (Sox)
Sam Haggerty will replace Adam Engel as our new 4th outfielder with great defense. He also put up a 114 wRC+ in 201 plate appearances last year as well. Tom Murphy is a solid backup catcher, so we don't have to worry about Seby potentially regressing t0 his 2021 self. Anthony Santander gives us a switch hitting right fielder who hit 33 homeruns last year.
SUMMARY
After all this, the 26-man looks like this.
STARTERS:
Dylan Cease $5.3 million
Lance Lynn $18.5 million
Michael Kopech $2.2 million
Pablo Lopex $4 million
Miles Mikolas $15.75 million
AAA depth: Davis Martin
RELIEVERS
Liam Hendriks $14.3 million
Reynaldo Lopez $3.3 million
Hunter Harvey $0.7 million
Clay Holmes $0.7 million
Aaron Bummer $3.75 million
Garret Crochet $0.7 million
Jake Diekman $3.5 million
Jimmy Lambert $0.7 million
STARTING LINEUP
C: Yasmani Grandal $18.25 million
1B: Jake Burger/Gavin Sheets platoon $0.7 million each (s/o Beefloaf for the idea)
2B: Jazz Chisholm $0.7 million
SS: Tim Anderson $12.5 million
3B: Yoan Moncada $17.8 million
LF: AJ Pollock $13 million
CF: Brandon Nimmo $25 million
RF: Anthony Santander $7.4 million0
DH: Eloy Jimenez $10.3 million
BENCH
C Tom Murphy $2 million
UTIL Leury Garcia $5.5 million
OF/2B Sam Haggerty $0.7 million
AAA depth: Oscar Colas, Danny Mendick, Romy Gonzalez, Yolbert Sanchez, Lenyn Sosa, Yoelqui Cespedes
This puts the payroll at $189.45 million. Our lineup has 3 lefties, 4 righties, and 3 switch hitters. I think the defense improves a little bit from last year as well. I know some fans would be upset with some of the players who were traded, but, in my opinion, this opening day roster is much better than 2022's. Let me know what you think!
