Aseballnut’s Recalibrated Championship Window Plan
PREAMBLE
This plan is re-calibrating the “Championship Window.” This is an attempt to improve the team in 2023 and set up for the real push for multiple championships. After 2024, the core of team, in my opinion, consisting of Anderson, Jimenez, Robert, Cease, Vaughn, Colas and Kopech, remains intact. 2024 the Sox will have more room to sign free agents and hopefully some of the prospects I have traded for will be ready to join the team.
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-Tender
- Danny Mendick: $1M-Tender
CLUB OPTIONS
- Tim Anderson: $12.5M ($1M buyout): Pick-up
- Josh Harrison: $5.625M ($1.5M buyout: Decline (Actually done on 11/7)
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): Retain
- Elvis Andrus ($14.25M): Let Go
MANAGER
The managers I wanted were Sandy Alomar, Jr. or Joe Espada. Pedro Grifol has been hired and he has some similar traits as Espada. The best of them being that he has never worked for the White Sox in any capacity.
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Jose Iglesias-2B (2 year, $4.5M/Year). Iglesias immediately improves the defense. I would play him at 2B.
No. 2: Albert Almora-LF/RF/CF (1 year, $4.5M/Year). This is signing with an emphasis on defense. I look at it as a platoon or place holder as we await Colas’ arrival.
No. 3: Josh Bell-DH/1B (2 year, $10M/Year). Switch hitter with some pop. In this line-up, he would hit probably hit 6th.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade Jake Burger and Jose Rodriguez to the Texas Rangers for Justin Foscue-2B and LuisAngel Acuna-2B/SS: Moncada’s contract will make him hard to trade so Burger’s future in Chicago is bleak. Foscue and Acuna are blocked by Semien and Seager.
No. 2: Trade Seby Savala and Garrett Crochet to the New York Mets for Kevin Parada-C and Ronny Mauricio-SS: At $18.5M, I am playing Yasmani every day. Carlos Perez is fine as the back-up. The Mets’ #1 prospect is catcher Francisco Alvarez so Parada seems like he should be available. Ronny Mauricio is blocked by Lindor.
No. 3: Trade Gavin Sheets to the Los Angeles Dodgers for James Outman-OF: Sheets really gave a good effort in the outfield but with the signing of Bell, Sheets is expendable. James Outman is a left handed bat who can actually play outfield.
Line-up
C-Yasmani Grandal
1B-Andrew Vaughn
2B-Jose Iglesias
SS-Tim Anderson
3B-Yoan Moncada
LF-Eloy Jimenez
CF-Luis Robert
RF-AJ Pollock (Until Colas is ready)
DH-Josh Bell
Starting Pitching
Dylan Cease
Lance Lynn
Michael Kopech
Lucas Giolito
Davis Martin
Bench
Leury Garcia, Danny Mendick, Albert Almora, Mark Payton, Carlos Perez, Romy Gonzalez, James Outman
Author
