PREAMBLE
2026 was fun. Most fun we've all had in a while. What made it the most fun was it was totally unexpected and had memorable "moments" all summer long.
Now there is a level of expectation and some pressure on some of these players and coaches to continue taking steps forward. Make some moves and spend Jerry's money to win a World Series!
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Miguel Vargas: Tender
- Brenton Doyle: Tender
- Joey Bart: Tender
- Huascar Brazobán: Tender
- Jordan Leasure: Non-tender
- Chris Murphy: Non-tender
Would want to find a way to extend Vargas ASAP, but not entirely sure how that framework would work. In any event, he's back. Doyle's price is fine for a platoon/defensive replacement outfielder. Bart will be the backup catcher (explanation upcoming). Not crazy about Brazoban, but at the cost, with everything else we will try to do makes sense for a low-leverage reliever.
Now that Mike Vasil is no longer a wizard, we don't need Leasure to order magic wands, so he and Murphy can go.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- None
I worry about Grichuk's ability to repeat what he did last season at another year older. I'd rather remember the fun times than end up hating him for the regression. I feel someone will either overpay for Newcomb or offer him a chance to be a starter again. Fedde, in my opinion, overachieved for us, just don't have a place for him.
Everyone else is inconsequential ... unless I run into Tommy Pham tonight in an elevator, than maybe I'd reconsider on him.
FREE AGENTS
Randy Arozarena (5 years, $115 million) - We are going to move him to Rightfield, which he hasn't played since 2022, but he's a proven professional hitter. He's righthanded, with power to help balance our lineup better. He gets on base at a high clip and can steal bases.
Adrian Morejon (3 years, $42 million) - We are setting out to improve all aspects of the pitching staff to be able to win in the regular season and the postseason. Obviously we will address the starting pitching later, but we are also creating a super bullpen that will allow Will Venable a lot of options. Morejon has a heavy fastball to create swing/miss and a sinker that induces a lot of ground balls. Two things that make a difference late in games.
Bryan Abreu (3 years, $33 million) - Another power reliever, who statistically appeared to take a step back in 2026, but his 1.71 ERA in the second half of the season shows it was a mere blip on his career radar. His strikeout rate is still crazy good, as is his stuff in general.
TRADES
Trade Luis Castillo, Samuel Zavala & $10 Million to Colorado for a PTBNL
We shed $12.75 of Castillo's salary to a team that has no real intention of competing next season and will need players to eat innings. Unfortunately, we'll toss in Zavala to make sure they say "yes".
Trade Andrew Benintendi & LuisAngel Acuna to Washington for Gavin Fien
Again, we find a team that has plenty of payroll space to take Benintendi while also having a hole in Leftfield or DH. Acuna can play any number of roles for them, including shortstop should they want to trade CJ Abrams this winter. The White Sox shed $15.1 million and get a 19-year old, former first round pick, who is still a few years away from the big league level.
Trade Billy Carlson & Edgar Quero to Los Angeles (AL) for Reid Detmers & Dylan Jordan
The need for Starting Pitching is real. It is also very expensive in the open market, so this trade, while giving up a Top-100 Prospect, gives us two years or Arbitration control for a starter that will be heavily sought after. Detmers, being a lefty, gives us a little balance to the rotation as we figure out where Smith, Kay, Shultz, etc. all fit. Jordan is a fast rising 21-year old who struck out 113 batters in 80 innings in 2026.
Trade Braden Montgomery & William Bergolla Jr. to Seattle for Bryan Woo
Signing Arozarena makes Montgomery expendable. Montgomery did just enough in his near 100 games to still show he has the tools to be the centerpiece for Seattle who will need two corner outfielders this season. Woo is 26 years old and is under control thru the 2029 season at arbitration costs. His numbers slipped some from his All-Star season in '25, but he still struck out over a batter an inning with great control and will slot into the top end of our rotation without question.
SUMMARY
Starting Lineup:
2B - Sam Antonacci
SS - Chase Meidroth
DH - Munetaka Murakami
1B - Miguel Vargas
RF - Randy Arozarena
C - Kyle Teel
3B - Colson Montgomery
LF - Caleb Bonemer
CF - Tristan Peters
Bench:
Joey Bart
Brooks Baldwin
Brenton Doyle
Tanner Murray
Starting Rotation:
SP1 - Sean Burke
SP2 - Bryan Woo
SP3 - Reid Detmers
SP4 - Davis Martin
SP5 - Anthony Kay
Bullpen:
RP - Huascar Brazoban
RP - Bryan Hudson
RP - Noah Shultz
RP - Hagen Smith
RP - Jordan Hicks
RP - Adrian Morejon
RP - Bryan Abreu
RP - Grant Taylor
Total Payroll: $129,650,000
We have drastically improved our ballclub and put us in a spot to win in 2027 and beyond!
From an offensive/position player perspective, we've moved some people around to potentially improve our defensive some, but also to get the best possible 9 players who can get on base, run the bases, and drive runs in. Some may question the Bonemer start in leftfield. I'm hoping with him not currently being on the 40-man roster, he will be able to work all winter and have a full spring training all during the lockout to improve on what already seemed like a quick transition to an outfield position in the Birmingham and the AFL.
Our starting rotation now has five legit starting pitchers to start the season, not to mention still having guys like Drew Thorpe, David Sandlin, Tanner McDougal, Johnathan Cannon, etc. who will all start as depth starters in Charlotte.
The bullpen, is now one of the best in the sport. While there is still some flexibility with Taylor/Smith/Shultz as to stretching them out to be a starter, but for where we are right now, this setup allows for multiple guys to potentially go multiple innings if needed.
Overall, we improved our offense by adding Arozarena to balance the lineup and get a higher OBP guy who can drive runs in and not be just a three-outcome guy. We added two legit All-Star caliber starting pitchers who are under arbitration control for 2+ seasons. The bullpen adds two high leverage, successful relievers with heavy stuff. And we did it all under budget ... you're welcome, Jerry!
