PREAMBLE
It's time to spend with the big boys. I'm pretty sure Jerry won't do that, so it's up to Ishbia to convince him to. After all, it's going to be his team in a few years, so he has a vested interest in keeping the momentum going.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Miguel Vargas: Tender
- Brenton Doyle: Tender
- Joey Bart: Tender
- Huascar Brazobán: Tender
- Jordan Leasure: Non-tender
- Chris Murphy: Non-tender
Leasure is damaged good and Murphy is completely unnecessary. Brazoban and Bart are worth tendering, and Vargas and Doyle are no-brainers.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Sean Newcomb
I wouldn't mind retaining Grichuk and Fedde, but we are after big things here, and the roster spots could be filled with better, younger guys. If they're still available in spring training and they miss out on some big guys, then maybe come back to them. Newcomb would be worth 2 years/$15 mil.
FREE AGENTS
Randy Arozarena- 5 years, $115 million. It's time to balance out the lineup a bit. Adding Arozarena give the Sox another right-handed big bat to pair with Vargas.
Michael King- 5 years, $120 million. I strongly considered Skubal, but the bidding war for him will likely be outrageous. King is the next best option.
Edmundo Sosa- 2 years, $12 million. Time to get a utility guy that can hit. He hits lefties really well and can move around the infield.
Sean Newcomb- 2 years, $15 million. He was really good until he ran out of gas. Hopefully, he won't be overworked next year. A real multi-inning weapon.
David Bednar- 2 years, $18 million. Sox need a legit closer, and this will allow Taylor to move to the rotation.
TRADES
Just one. Anthony Kay for a minor league reliever. Not sure who, but Kay has some value to a team that could use a decent starter. Sox can take a flyer on someone who could possibly help the bullpen.
We need to see what value Colson has before we move on. He's the only other guy I would trade, but I think we need to know if the guys in the minors are ready before we make big changes. I would love to be rid of Benintendi's contract, but I don't see anyone taking that without the Sox paying almost all of it.
SUMMARY
Ok, I think I've addressed most of the needs. This has them adding 2 starters- King and Grant Taylor. I am fully expecting Hagen to slide into a rotation spot. That leaves the rotation at:
1. Michael King ($24M)
2. Sean Burke ($800K)
3. Grant Taylor ($800K)
4. Hagen Smith ($800K)
5,6,7- Luis Castillo ($23M), Drew Thorpe, David Sandlin, Davis Martin, Noah Schultz ($3.2M for 4).
That has the potential to be a solid rotation. One of those 5 should be able to step up and claim the job. The other 4 go to the pen with:
5. Sean Newcomb ($7.5M)
6. David Bednar ($9M)
7. Jordan Hicks ($12M)
8. Bryan Hudson ($800K)
9. Huascar Brazoban ($1.6M)
10. (midseason) Mike Vasil
Not counting Vasil, that's 14 guys for 13 spots. There will certainly be some injuries, and some surprises that can be added. But these are the best 14 for now.
Pitchers payroll - $82.5 million
POSITION PLAYERS
1b- Munetaka Murakami ($17.5M)
2b- Chase Meidroth ($800K)
ss- Colson Montgomery ($800K)
3b- Miguel Vargas ($5.6M)
lf- Randy Arozarena ($23M)
cf- Tristan Peters ($800K)/ Brenton Doyle ($3.3M)
rf- Braden Montgomery ($800k)
c- Kyle Teel ($800K)
Util- Edmundo Sosa ($6M)
Util/DH- Sam Antonacci ($800K)
c- Joey Bart ($3M) or Edgar Quero/Drew Romo
26th man- Andrew Benintendi ($15.1M)
I would love to see them just eat Beni's contract if they can't trade him. Then the 26th spot would go to the most deserving player- maybe Brooks Baldwin. When Bonemer is ready, he will force his way onto the roster. I'm just not sure where. We'' have to let the early season play out. But this is for the Opening Day roster, which I would assume he will not be a part of.
Possible lineup against righties-
DH- Antonacci
lf- Arozarena
1b- Murakami
3b- Vargas
ss- C. Montgomery
2b- Meidroth
c- Teel
rf- B. Montgomery
cf- Peters
Against lefties-
2b- Meidroth
lf- Arozarena
1b- Murakami
3b- Vargas
ss/DH- C. Montgomery
ss/DH- Sosa
c- Teel/Bart
cf- Doyle
rf- B. Montgomery
cf- Doyle
Position players payroll- $78.3 million
TOTAL PAYROLL- $160.8 million
If the Sox are constrained to a $130 million payroll, expect more of the same of what we saw in 2026. It's time to spend.
This team is deeper offensively and much deeper in the starting rotation that last year. In addition to trying to win, they will need to determine if Colson is a part of their future and if they should extend Mune. Bonemer and Roch should be a big part of this team in 2028, along with a few others. But for now, this team can contend in 2027.
