PREAMBLE
As a long time White Sox fan, I was pleasantly surprised by the development this year of a young core that includes Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, Shane Smith, and Mike Vasil. However, even if we add names like Braden Montgomery, Noah Schultz, and Hagen Smith, they will need to spend for this next wave to have any chance of postseason success. Unfortunately, that did not happen during previous rebuilds under Reinsdorf. This plan at least attempts to spend some money even though increasing payroll may be wish casting.
COACHING STAFF
- Hitting coach: [Left blank]
- Pitching coach: [Left blank]
I have no idea about hitting or pitching coaches.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Mike Tauchman: Tender
- Steven Wilson: Tender
- Derek Hill: Non-tender
Both Tauchman and Wilson more than earned their contracts and deserve an invite back.
CLUB OPTIONS
- Luis Robert Jr.: Exercise $20 million contract
- Martín Perez: Buy out for $1.5 million
Luis is a no-brainer to exercise even at $20M.
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Josh Naylor (4 years, $90 million). Realistically the White Sox will need to overpay to attract any free agent worth increasing payroll. Josh is considered a good clubhouse guy and fits a need on the roster. Seattle would be smart to bring him back, but they may spend more to attract somebody like Pete Alonso.
No. 2: Adrian Houser (1 year, $10 million). Wasn't as successful after the TB trade. Invite him back to give him a chance to prove that his time with the White Sox wasn't a fluke.
TRADES
No 1: Andrew Benitendi to San Francisco Giants for a minor league pitcher. Salary dump.
No. 2: Korey Lee for a pitching prospect.
SUMMARY
This is the basic idea. They would also need to target some innings-eater types on one year contracts to help fill in the rotation.
