Rotofool’s re-tool the bullpen & prospects

PREAMBLE

In my plan, which I consider pretty realistic given Hahn & Jerry, the SOX would infuse the roster with major league ready youngsters from other clubs blocked from the majors at positions of need, while keeping their own top prospects.  It increases the odds of success of going young at a few positions, doubling down on the uncertainty of Colas, Céspedes, Sosa, Ramos and Jose Rodriguez, who can be given a bit more time to bake in the minors until they’re truly ready. It also frees up trade assets for trade deadline acquisitions to address problems elsewhere, while protecting core prospects.

Also, the strategy of expensive veteran arms for bullpen setup roles is revised, jettisoning those relievers to pitching starved teams with bigger budgets in a depressed reliever market.  Hahn’s ability to unearth a non-roster invitee reliever or a viable Rule-5 reliever could cheaply bolster the backend, with youngsters like Burke or Bilous readied for promotion when needed.  Importantly, Hendricks stays to hold down the closer role.

An extension for Cease is paramount, while Giolito can be protected and retained via a QO next year should he rebound in 2023. Savings from going cheap at 2B, RF and bullpen extends the contention window and financial flexibility at the deadline and future acquisitions.

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

Engel, Crick and Ruiz can be replaced by minimum salary youngsters moving up the organization ladder or new acquisitions.

CLUB OPTIONS

Tim Anderson: $12.5M ($1M buyout) – PICK UP
Josh Harrison: $5.625M ($1.5M buyout) – DECLINE

No surprises here, SOX have youngsters lined up for 2B.

PLAYER OPTIONS

AJ Pollock: $13M ($5 million buyout) — TAKES BUYOUT

Pollock surprisingly chose the buyout, perhaps prearranged with the SOX as a condition of the trade???

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

José Abreu (Made $18M in 2021) – RETAIN (3 years, $48M, backloaded)
Johnny Cueto ($4.2M) – LET GO
Vince Velasquez ($3M) – LET GO
Elvis Andrus ($14.25M) – LET GO

Abreu won’t be signing elsewhere–he’s a SOX lifer! Abreu is still their best clutch hitter despite the down power year. Grifol will help him convert to a full-time DH role and eventual transition to bench coach. Contract is backloaded ala Bobby Bonilla’s million a year for life deal.

MANAGER

Pedro Grifol was hired before my plan was formulated, and I’m very happy with the hire. He should have an immediate positive effect upon improving team cohesion, catching defense and offensive power.

FREE AGENTS

No. 1: LHP Jose Quintana (3 years, $36M w/ CO $4.5M buyout) – teams with Cease & Eloy to make Cubs fans crazy!
No. 2: OF Michael A. Taylor (1 year, $11M w/ CO $2.5M buyout) – defensive OF who works hard and has history with Grifol

TRADES

No. 1: Trade RHP Jared Kelley & 3B Jake Burger to Texas Rangers for 2B Justin Foscue
No. 2: Trade RHP Joe Kelly & LHP Bennett Sousa + $5M to St. Louis Cardinals for prospect OF Moises Gomez
No. 3: Trade RHP Kendall Graveman to Seattle Mariners for prospects RHP Michael Morales (#24) & 3B Starlin Aguilar (#18)
No. 4: Trade LHP Jake Diekman & OF Erick Hernandez to San Francisco Giants for LHP Alex Young

SUMMARY

C Yasmani Grandal $18.25
1B Andrew Vaughn $1.0
2B Justin Foscue $0.72
SS Tim Anderson $12.5
3B Yoan Moncada $17.8
LF Eloy Jimenez $10.33
CF Luis Robert $9.5
RF Moises Gomez $0.72
DH Jose Abreu $12.0 81.82

BN Seby Zevala $0.72
BN Michael A. Taylor $4.5
BN Leury Garcia $5.5
BN Danny Mendick $1.0
BN Gavin Sheets $0.72 12.44

SP Dylan Cease $5.3
SP Lance Lynn $18.5
SP Lucas Giolito $10.8
SP Michael Kopech $2.2
SP Jose Quintana $12.0 47.8

CL Liam Hendriks $14.3
RHP Reynaldo Lopez $3.3
RHP Jimmy Lambert $1.0
RHP Matt Foster $1.0
RHP Caleb Freeman $0.72
LHP Aaron Bummer $3.75
LHP Tanner Banks $0.72
LHP Alex Young $0.72

IR Garrett Crochet $1.0 26.52

buyouts & traded money $11.5

Total Salaries: $180.08

My plan keeps the core together one more year, giving Hahn’s original plan one last shot before things get expensive.  Grifol helps the clubhouse immediately, but success ultimately rests with Jimenez, Robert, Moncada, and Vaughn realizing their potential.  The offense is still right hand heavy, which doesn’t matter if that potential is reached, while the defense should improve under Grifol’s influence.  The staff remains the right hand heavy, with the flexibility at the deadline to address needs should they contend.

No big money moves, just more of the same, yet many reasons for optimism!  Go SOX!

Take a second to support Sox Machine on Patreon