PREAMBLE
The arrow is pointing up on the White Sox from their quick turnaround from the 121-loss season just 2 years ago. This off-season is about turning the weaknesses into strengths while allowing the kids to continue to blossom to a perennial playoff team.
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 a no-brainer and Doyle is perfectly fine as a 4th-5th defensive-minded OF with pop. Brazoban will be brought back as well as a veteran arm in the pen who can pitch high-leverage when needed.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- None
Grichuk and Newcomb would be my top options but I think you keep either Grichuk or Doyle and Doyle's age and glove are the deciding factors in that debate. I'd love to have Newcomb back but I believe he's earned himself a contract that the Sox won't match.
FREE AGENTS
No.1: Seiya Suzuki - RF (3-years, $90million w/4th-year player option at $25mil). This move just makes sense from a few different aspects. Number 1, he gets to play with a fellow countryman and friend in Mune. Number 2, while I think Braden Montgomery is going to have a fine career for the Sox, I don't think he's ready for full-time duties in RF, at least this year. Braden can spell LF and RF while also getting some DH games in and Suzuki can play full-time in RF until his age forces him to play more DH roles.
No. 2: AJ Minter - RP (2-years, $24million). This may seem like a slight overpay, but the idea is to have him take over as a high-leverage set-up man for Grant Taylor because Hagen Smith will be given an opportunity to start next year. That's just my thinking.
No. 3: Lucas Giolito - SP (1-year, $5million). Who says you can't come home? Giolito and the Padres have a mutual option at $8million and I don't believe San Diego will green light that. In all honesty, Giolito probably only tops out at $5million on a prove-it deal. He can slide in to the 5th spot and if he falters early on, can be DFA'd and Sandlin, Castillo, etc. can be given that No.5 SP role.
No. 4: Jeff McNeil - INF/OF (1-year, $7.5million w/$5mil mutual option in 2028). Veteran lefty bench bat who can fill in at 2B, 3B, LF, and RF with exceptional contact which this team is sorely lacking. Solid veteran presence worth the price here.
TRADES
No. 1: Noah Schultz, Billy Carlson, and Mathias LaCombe to the Los Angeles Angels for Reid Detmers and Ben Joyce. Detmers was tied to the Sox at the trade deadline last year but nothing ever materialized. I think the Sox pull the trigger on a Detmers trade and while this might seem like an overpay, Detmers is a stud and is only 27 years old, which is why I'm okay dealing a package of Schultz and Carlson to get it done. Ben Joyce has closer upside with nasty stuff but can't seem to get healthy. He'll get a shot in high-leverage situations for the Sox this year and beyond.
No. 2: Andrew Benintendi and Edgar Quero to Atlanta for Sean Murphy and #5 prospect Alex Lodise. Edgar Quero needs a change of scenery and Sean Murphy could use one too. Murphy has struggled with injuries over the last few seasons, but is still an above-average defensive catcher who can platoon nicely with Teel. His ugly contract sits at $13mil AAV, but the Sox would only be on the hook until 2029. Two years to pair with Teel who can provide a righty bat with pop and playoff experience can go a long way with Teel's development. Benintendi fills 2 needs for the Braves, a lefty bench bat with pop, plus an opportunity to become the full-time DH depending on Jurickson Profar's situation. Alex Lodise is Atlanta's #5 prospect and a middle-infielder. He was included to off-set the Sox eating the remainder of Murphy's contract, he is the cousin of Kyle Lodise, who is also a prospect in the Sox system.
SUMMARY
With the additions and subtractions previously mentioned, here is what I have the Sox at heading into Spring Training...
LF - Sam Antonacci (L)
3B - Miguel Vargas (R)
1B - Munetaka Murakami (L)
RF - Seiya Suzuki (R) (Add $30mil AAV)
C - Kyle Teel (L)
2B - Chase Meidroth (R)
SS - Colson Montgomery (L)
DH - Braden Montgomery (S)
CF - Tristan Peters (L)
C - Sean Murphy (R) (Add $13mil AAV)
INF/OF - Luisangel Acuna (R)
INF/OF - Jeff McNeil (L) (Add $7.5mil AAV)
OF - Brenton Doyle (R)
SP - Sean Burke (R)
SP - Reid Detmers (L) (Add estimated $5.5mil AAV via arbitration)
SP - Davis Martin (R)
SP - Hagen Smith (L)
SP - Lucas Giolitio (R) (Add $5mil AAV)
Long Relief/Spot Starter - Luis Castillo (R)
Long Relief/Spot Starter - Anthony Kay (L)
Mid - Jordan Hicks (R)
Mid - Bryan Hudson (L)
Mid - Huascar Brazoban (R)
SU - AJ Minter (L) (Add $12mil AAV)
SU - Ben Joyce (R)
CL - Grant Taylor (R)
David Sandlin, Mike Vasil, Prelander Berroa, Brooks Baldwin, and Rikuu Nishida will be the first call-ups when injuries and/or releases/DFA's happen.
The Sox add in the realm of $72 million and with the subtractions of Beni and the others previously mentioned, the Sox should sit somewhere just south of $140 million in total payroll, which I think is perfectly feasible for a young contending team.
