PREAMBLE
After an awful year both on and off the field, new GM Chris Getz has quite the conundrum on his hands. Does he retool the Sox on the fly or does he start the rebuild process? With the core he has currently along with some contracts tied up to vets, his best course of action is the retool to try and compete in a fairly weak AL Central.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2024 salaries. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Dylan Cease: $8.8M - TENDER
- Andrew Vaughn: $3.7M - TENDER
- Michael Kopech: $3.6M - TRADE
- Touki Toussaint: $1.7M - TENDER
- Trayce Thompson: $1.7M - NON-TENDER
- Garrett Crochet: $900K - TENDER
- Clint Frazier: $900K - NON-TENDER
- Matt Foster: $740K - NON-TENDER
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Tim Anderson: $14M ($1M buyout) - PICKUP (TA is looking to rebound after a pretty lousy year and although it's financially smarter to buy him out, I think picking up his option and expecting a bounce back to hold the SS position warm for Montgomery is the way to go. If he plays like he did in the previous years, he'd be worth some assets at the deadline.)
- Liam Hendriks: $15M ($15M buyout, paid $1.5M annually over next 10 years) - DECLINE (This one hurts. He's been such a great ambassador for the Sox along with having some pretty solid seasons. The unfortunate cancer diagnosis and TJ surgery isn't fair for the man, but it's life. He deserves a ring and we owe it to him to allow him to do that.)
MUTUAL OPTIONS
Write “exercised” or “takes buyout.”
- Mike Clevinger: $12M mutual option ($4 million buyout) - EXERCISED (I think you could allow him to test FA and attempt to bring him back on a different contract but I think $12mil is right around his AAV if he were to go to the market. Solid mid-rotation starter who could garner assets if the Sox flop by the deadline.)
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?
- Yasmani Grandal (Made $18.25M in 2023) - LET GO
- Elvis Andrus ($3M) - LET GO
- Bryan Shaw ($720K) - LET GO
- José Ureña ($720K) - LET GO
FREE AGENTS
List three free-agent targets you’d pursue during the offseason, with a reasonable contract. A good example of a bad idea:
No. 1: Austin Hedges - C (one year, $5.5mil). He provides the Sox with a veteran stopgap to Quero who will be able to use his defensive acumen and pitch framing to help the staff and Korey Lee.
No. 2: Isiah Kiner-Falefa - UTIL (2 years, $13.5mil). Veteran super-utility man with an above average glove who is a career .260 hitter. Can fill in virtually anywhere on the diamond and contribute.
No. 3: Whit Merrifield - 2B/RF (2 years, $20mil). Feel free to groan if you'd like. However it's not everyday a player who can play 2 positions that have evaded the Sox in recent years becomes available in the FA market. He's been linked to the Sox since the off-season chatter started and this move makes too much sense. Another veteran presence who still has some pop and speed who is already familiar with the AL Central.
No. 4 Lucas Giolito - SP (4 years, $60mil). He's back. After a putrid showing in LA and Cleveland, Lucas returns on a cheaper deal than was originally thought of prior to last season. He'll slide back into the #2 role behind Cease and hopefully will return to his 2019-2021 form.
No. 5 Wade Miley - SP (1 year, $8mil). Left-Handed veteran who can eat innings from the back of the rotation. Can be flipped at deadline.
No. 6 Joe Jimenez - RP (3 years, $30mil). Lights out stuff with control who provides stability and fire power to the Sox bullpen that sorely needs it.
No. 7 John Brebbia - RP (1 year, $5mil). He won't light the world on fire but he's solid, consistent, and will provide a veteran presence in an otherwise young bullpen.
TRADES
Propose trades that you think sound reasonable for both sides, and the rationale behind them. A good example of a bad idea:
No. 1: Michael Kopech to Tampa Bay for LHP Ian Seymour. I'm over the Michael Kopech project. The stuff is obviously there but he's in dire need of a change of scenery. I think Tampa is the perfect landing spot for Kopech, who seem to reinvent failing pitchers on a yearly basis. (see Jake Diekman). Whether Kopech is used a starter or as a bullpen arm, Tampa will find a way to use him and get the most out of him. Ian Seymour is caught in a numbers game in Tampa and could make a splash in the majors as early as 2024 if all goes well in Charlotte.
SUMMARY
Veteran additions and familiar faces should change the locker room culture for the better, while also filling glaring needs. Here's how the lineup/staff look heading into 2024....
- Tim Anderson - SS
- Whit Merrifield - 2B
- Luis Robert Jr. - CF
- Eloy Jimenez - DH
- Andrew Vaughn - 1B
- Andrew Benintendi - LF
- Yoan Moncada - 3B
- Oscar Colas - RF
- Austin Hedges/Korey Lee - C
Austin Hedges/Korey Lee - C
Isiah Kiner Falefa - IF/OF
Zach Remillard/Lenyn Sosa/Romy Gonzalez - UTIL (Spring Training battle for final roster spot)
Gavin Sheets - 1B/DH/RF
- Dylan Cease - RHP
- Lucas Giolito - RHP
- Mike Clevinger - RHP
- Wade Miley - LHP
- Touki Toussaint - RHP
Long - Davis Martin - RHP
Mid - Jimmy Lambert - RHP
Mid - John Brebbia - RHP
Mid - Garrett Crochet - LHP (Could be stretched to a starter as the season progresses)
Mid - Aaron Bummer - LHP
Mid - Tanner Banks - LHP
SU - Joe Jimenez - RHP
CL - Gregory Santos - RHP (Jimenez will take over closing duties if Santos falters early and/or often)
On paper, this team still has issues with a missing power-hitting LH batter, as well as reliable bullpen arms. Getz won't be spending crazy this off-season outside the return of Giolito but the farm system is better than previous years and he'll take a modestly aggressive approach in FA and in trades to change the locker room culture and to put respect back on the Southside. Sox finish around .500 with an eye for '25.
