SoxMike242’s All-In Plan
PREAMBLE
Pappa Jerry knows he messed up with the hiring of TLR and will finally let Hahn and Co. do there job. With the hiring of Pedro Grifol that was made pretty clear, he’s a Hahn guy. Since Jerry let his front office down a few years ago he’s going to do what he’s never done before SPEND! So let’s take a look inside and see who are your 2023 White Sox.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2022 salaries
- 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
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Tim Anderson: $12.5M ($1M buyout) – Pick Up
- Josh Harrison: $5.625M ($1.5M buyout – Decline
PLAYER OPTIONS
Write “exercised” or “takes buyout.” The question here is whether you think Pollock could do better than one year and $8 million on the open market. I’m filling it in with “exercised” unless you can provide a compelling argument against it.
- AJ Pollock: $13M ($5 million buyout) — Takes BUYOUT (Added to Payroll)
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?
- José Abreu (Made $18M in 2021) – Love you Jose, but it’s Vaughn time!
- Johnny Cueto ($4.2M) – Let go, thank you for your wonderful service, Johnny!
- Vince Velasquez ($3M) – Let go
- Elvis Andrus ($14.25M) – Retain @ 2 years $4M per year
MANAGER
Pedro Grifol has been hired as the manager and Charlie Montoyo as bench coach. As for the other open coaching positions, I would love Jim Thome as hitting coach. His illustrations on MLB Network are outstanding and his knowledge of hitting is perfect for this team. As for base coaches, I’d love for Ron Washington but doubt he leaves Atlanta. So, whomever Grifol/Montoyo bring in hopefully is better than what the Sox had, I am sure it will be.
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Aaron Judge (Eight years, $40M per year, $320M total). How do you get the fans to get over not bringing back Jose Abreu, by signing whom I would assume to be the reigning 2022 MVP Aaron Judge. In my opinion to get the stink out of the last 2 years of White Sox baseball, Jerry HAS to open his check book. Hahn/Kenny finally get their man while in his prime and the money has been spent, at least it’s on the right player this time!
No. 2: Elvis Andrus (Two years, $4M per year, $8M Total). This is mentioned earlier in my impending Free Agents. Signing Elvis to play second base and a spot start here and there at SS.
No. 3: Chris Bassitt (Four Years, $14M per year, $56M Total). The Sox need another starting pitcher, I was torn between (2). Either Manaea or Bassitt, I ended up choosing Chris for a few reasons. Although with him being older he does have 150+ less innings pitched than Manaea. We all know the Sox love reunions so bringing back Bassitt where he was drafted and developed is a perfect White Sox move.
TRADES
Propose trades that you think sound reasonable for both sides, and the rationale behind them.
No. 1: No trades, this team is “All-In”
SUMMARY
Starting Pitchers: Cease-$5.3M, Lynn-$18.5M, Giolito-$10.8M, Bassitt-$14M, Kopech-$2.2M
Infield: Vaughn-$720K, Andrus-$4M, Anderson-$12.5M, Moncada-$17M, Grandal-$18.25M
Outfield: Colas-$720K, Robert-$9.5M, Judge-$40M, (DH-Eloy-$9.5M)
Relievers: Hendriks-$14M, Graveman-$8M, Kelly-$9M, Crochet-$720K, Lopez-$3.3M, Bummer-$3.75M, Diekman-$3.5M, Ruiz-$1M
Bench: Zavala-$720K, Garcia-$5.5M, Sheets-$715K, Mendick-$1M, Cespedes-$720K
Lineup…..
Anderson-SS
Robert-CF
Judge-RF
Eloy-DH
Colas-LF
Moncada-3B
Vaughn-1B
Grandal-C
Andrus-2B
Total Payroll: $219,915,000
Joe Sheehan ran a piece yesterday about how the history of tall hitters from age 31 on is terrible. It’s Winfield, Frank Howard, and then nothing. Adam Wainwright as a hitter and fielder was 5th on the list (WAR). He wanted no part of a long-term contract.
Mark McGwire had a lot of good seasons post-31, but of course we know he had some help.
His cutoff was 6’6″. His comment about 6’5″ hitters was McGwire, Thomas, Olerud, and Werth fared better but had injuries that sapped their value as they hit their early 30’s. Of course Judge could age like Winfield, but history suggests you shouldn’t make that $300M bet.
One could say that he already hasn’t aged as well as Winfield. As much as I’d like to see him in RF in 2023 there’s no way I’d want the contract that it would require.
You, Joe Sheehan, and I all agree.
What percentage of hitters are 6’6 and taller? I legit don’t know. Guys I thought as tall seemed to fall right under that height. I’m curious if there’s something behind the height issue or just a small sample size. I personally don’t want a $300 million contract on anyone 31 or older.
I don’t know, either. It could be a sample size issue. He suggested it was the longer levers having trouble catching up to heat as they age. And he suggested one-dimensional players (which Judge is not) don’t age as well as those with a broad skill set.