PREAMBLE
Coming off of a year where we exceeded expectations by a longshot, I hope this signals to the FO that it is win now mode, so we should sign several free agents to bolster the glaring weaknesses we saw in the playoffs.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Miguel Vargas: Tender
- Brenton Doyle: Tender
- Joey Bart: Non-tender
- Huascar Brazobán: Tender
- Jordan Leasure: Non-tender
- Chris Murphy: Non-tender
Tender:
Vargas - Self Explanatory
Doyle - Keeps a good right handed platoon in the outfield as well as gold glover for late game substitutions
Brazoban - we didn't get a great look at him during the season, but I think he has great stuff for cheap so why not
Non Tender:
Bart - Get off my team (also have heard he is a clubhouse cancer) - NO NRI
Leasure - outside of buying the magic wand, no reason for him - NRI
Murphy - he was alright for a left hander, but we need to upgrade - NRI
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Erick Fedde
- Randal Grichuk
- Sean Newcomb
- Jake Rogers
Fedde - 1 yr 4.5m - He was really solid down the stretch, although I wouldn't call him an inning eater, but he is a guy that didn't show as much wear and tear down the stretch and is clearly a guy that the younger guys like to have around in the clubhouse.
Grichuk - 1 yr 5.5m - this is probably an underpay, but he was one of the most persistent hitters all year, and I could see him playing dh and rf and I would like him to see more righties during the year
Newcomb - 2 yr 20m - Maybe an overpay, but this dude is NAILS, and he showed it in the playoffs, proving his worth to me
Rogers - 1 yr 1.5m - nothing flashy, backup catcher until Quero figures it out, if Quero can't figure it out I don't mind having him as a backup for the whole year
FREE AGENTS
No 1: Seiya Suzuki (4 years, 104 million). While unlikely, signing suzuki fits a huge hole in right field that Braden hasn't figured out, this move makes a much stronger outfield with the uncertainty of what Tristan Peters may bring in 2027. this puts Braden on the bench for me, taking a little pressure off him, as he really struggled at the end of the year. Suzuki would become a key fixture in the lineup, and would easily have him batting 3-4 in the lineup.
No 2: Clay Holmes (3 years, 45 million). This signing makes perfect sense, Getz himself has said that we are looking into SP options, so why not the guy they were looking at during the deadline. Holmes stuff would play well in Chicago, and I see him being the #2 starter behind Burke.
No. 3: Jojo Romero (2 years, 15 Million). This is our Newcomb esque signing this year, a slightly under-the-radar guy who a small market team like the Brewers won't resign. I wouldn't have him as a setup guy or closer, but more of a stronger reliever.
TRADES
Trade Andrew Benintendi & Sammy Zavala to Cincinnati for a PTBNL. To bring on the free agents I would like, Benny needs to go, take Sammy as well Cincy, Hopefully they eat the cash.
SUMMARY
While I am slightly over the payroll, I still think this is very in the realm of possibilities for what the Sox FO could do. Making additions to all of our weak points sets us up for a very strong year in 2027.
Starting Lineup:
Antonacci
Vargas
Murakami
Suzuki
Grichuk
Meidroth
Teel
Colson
Peters
Bench:
Rogers
Acuna
Doyle
B. Mont
Starting Pitchers:
Burke
Holmes
Martin
Fedde
Castillo
Bullpen:
Brazoban
Shultz
Romero
Hicks
Vasil
Newcomb
H. Smith
Taylor
