PREAMBLE
The Sox are, if shockingly, closer to competitive on the regular than any of us thought. They are also closer to being relevant on an international level, and I want to pursue cementing both of the things moving forward.
I initially approached this as a smart-ass proposal, then realized I could do so more-or-less seriously and possibly win the esteem of some of my SM comrades. Win-win-win! And we all know that while we're hopelessly in it for Sox in any case, winning is more fun.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Miguel Vargas: Tender
- Brenton Doyle: Tender
- Joey Bart: Non-tender
- Huascar Brazobán: Tender
- Jordan Leasure: Non-tender
- Chris Murphy: Non-tender
Vargas is, well, duh. And, as most others have noted, I'm going to work on extending him, too. Much as I am down with many of these young guys, THIS is the one that makes the team go.
I have hopes for Doyle a) learning to take a damn walk now and then, and b) improving his overall performance at the plate to where he's a fine guy to confidently run out there for oth his defense and platoon PH necessities.
Brazoban will settle into a perfectly cromulent pen guy with flashes of being first-rate.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Erick Fedde
- Sean Newcomb
Fedde likes us, we like him, and not only does he pitch best for the Sox, he's a pretty solid guy to have around. Sign him again for another year at 1.5 M and have it done.
Newcomb is pretty much the same story, just more expensive (and in his way, more useful). 2 years, 10 M, maybe a mutual option with a buyout for a 3rd year.
FREE AGENTS
Here's where we have fun.
Kaima Taira SP (3 years, $65 M) Yes, he's a little guy, I don't give a damn. He gets guys out and will be a top half of the rotation righty, if not necessarily an ace. I mean, he could be, but I'm not going to worry if he's a solid #2. He's 26, and so could still make a killing on a second FA deal later on if he earns it. I'll go 4/80 if need be.
Teruaki Sato OF (5 years, $120M) It may take more, but despite his huge numbers in NPB, he has some similar concerns as Murakami. Of course, Murakami's relative success mean Sato will likely require more years and more $$. I'm going for it.
I don't consider signing these guys a novelty plan. While neither are likely to turn into Ohtani (who is?), but both look like solid MLB players who will improve the Sox tremendously and potentially turn us into Japan's Team (TM) - opening up a great deal of revenue and interest. And with the way Murakami and the Sox/Chicago have embraced each other, I think we should pursue that good will and those good vibes to see if we can become something of a destination team. While also playing in lots and lots of playoff games.
Casey Mize SP (1 year, 7M) Not Japanese, but a cromulent back-endish guy who's young enough to take a one year, prove-it contract to eat innings and reestablish himself and go back into FA at 31 and cash in.
TRADES
I have no specific trades in mind, though I'm willing to explore anything that might move Benintendi or Castillo in a salary dump for a lottery ticket unless the toss-in young guy(s) are too steep.
SUMMARY
Assuming we keep Benni and Castillo, then I'm biting two bullets:
- See what can be done to salvage Castillo either in the pen as a swing guy or the very back of the rotation. See what if any adjustments can e fruitful and let him grown his hair all the way back out for any Sampson Effects. Pitching Team: you're on the clock.
- Offer Benintendi some type of buyout with a position in the organization that gives him a possible future, whether as a coach, FO, what-have-you. He seems a good guy, but there's simply no place for him on the team and his playing career is very at its end. He may be amenable. If not, shake his hand, thank him for his service, and DFA him to allow him to continue, just with some team that might need him.
As seen, I didn't re-up with either Bart or Rogers. I'm not convinced that Quero can't still be a useful backup, but I'm also willing to resign either if they can be had for about $2M. My preference is Bart, but flip a coin.
So then, I guess my opening roster looks like this:
1B/DH - Murakami
2B - Meidroth
SS - C Monty, with a leash as necessary
3B/1B - Vargas
C - Teel
CF - Peters
Corner OF/DH - Sato/B Monty/Doyle/Antonacci
Bench - (Quero/Bart/Rogers), Acuna, Baldwin
SP: Burke/Taira/Martin/Mize/Fedde
BP: Smith/Taylor/Castillo/Newcomb/Brazoban/Hicks/Sandlin/Davis
I refuse to do the math, but while my plan likely goes a little over budget, it's not laughably over so I refuse to do the math. I don't like doing the math.
