SoxFan2008’s Never Gonna Happen Offseason Plan

PREAMBLE

Just spending money and going crazy. There is a 100% chance whatever I do in this plan doesn’t happen in real life. 

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

  • Lucas Giolito: $7.9M Extend – 5 years/$125 M
  • Reynaldo López; $2.8M Tender
  • Evan Marshall: $2.3M Non-Tender
  • Adam Engel: $2.2M Non-Tender
  • Brian Goodwin: $1.7M Non-Tender
  • Jimmy Cordero: $1.2M Non-Tender
  • Jace Fry: $1M Non-Tender

I want Giolito to anchor our rotation for the next half-decade so I signed him to a modest $125 M deal. I think a salary of $25 M would be a good deal for both the Sox and him. Lopez could return and be fantastic for our bullpen again. We don’t need the rest of the guys because of the moves I’m gonna do below.

CLUB OPTIONS

Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.

  • Craig Kimbrel: $16M ($1M buyout) Pick up
  • César Hernández: $6M Decline

I’m picking up Kimbrel’s option and trading him away, and Hernandez was hot garbage last year so I’m letting him go.

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?

  • Leury García (Made $3.5M in 2021) Let go
  • Carlos Rodón ($3M) Let go
  • Billy Hamilton ($1M) Retain on Minor League deal
  • Ryan Tepera ($950K) Retain 2 years/$8 M

I’m gonna be signing Leury’s replacement below, (same with Rodon). Hamilton brings an element of speed to the Sox so I’m bringing him back on a minor league deal. Ryan Tepera was very good for the Sox last year so bringing him back on a 2 year deal makes a lot of sense.

FREE AGENTS

No. 1: Sign Corey Seager for 6 years/$180 M (Club Option for 7th year)

No. 2: Sign Nick Castellanos for 4 years/$80 M

No. 3: Sign Robbie Ray for 3 years/$54 M

No. 4: Sign Kyle Schwarber for 4 years/$52 M

No. 5: Sign Raisel Iglesias for 3 years/$39 M

No. 6: Sign Chris Taylor for 2 years/$22 M

No. 7: Sign Andrew Chafin for 2 years/$10 M

In this crazy world of mine the White Sox sign Corey Seager to be their starting 2nd baseman, on a 6 year deal. In theory he could probably rock shortstop with Tim moving to second. The White Sox also sign Castellanos to platoon with Schwarber in left field. Robbie Ray can be our 3 starter and was very good with the Blue Jays this season. Iglesias replaces our current closer(s) (foreshadowing) and is an absolute stud. We also sign Chafin to shore up the bullpen. And to cap off the huge offseason we sign Chris Taylor to be our super utility guy. He played hero for the Dodgers multiple times this season and would be a great signing as it brings a little more depth to the team.

TRADES

No. 1: Trade Eloy Jimenez, Andrew Vaughn, and Liam Hendriks to Philadelphia for Bryce Harper

So much to unpack here as this is a crazy deal. By crazy I mean real crazy. They White Sox give the Phillies a perrenial MVP candidate in Eloy (when he stays healthy), a very promising first baseman in Andrew Vaughn, and a lockdown closer in Liam Hendriks. This gives the Phillies young players that can help right away as well as a top 3 closer in the league to help with their horrendous bullpen. For the White Sox this trade could be worth it. In my opinion I think Gavin Sheets is only a step or two below Vaughn so giving up Vaughn would be worth it. Eloy is almost always injured but is great when he’s healthy, so that’s a big blow. And we basically replaced Liam in free agency with Raisel. What the White Sox get though is a monster in Bryce Harper. He’s coming off an MVP-esque season with the Phillies. He has great power and contact. He’s also a good fielder and has a cannon of an arm. For the White Sox they got right field locked down for at least the next 5 years.

No. 2: Trade Dallas Keuchel, Craig Kimbrel, Jared Kelly, and Micker Adolfo to the Diamondbacks for Noe Ramirez

Straight up salary dumping on a rebuilding team. Keuchel and Kimbrel’s money come off the books and Jared Kelly and Micker Adolfo would be the two prospects the Diamondbacks would get back in return for their rebuild.

No. 3: Trade Matthew Thompson and PTBNL to the Pirates for Jacob Stallings

The White Sox get their backup catcher in Jacob Stallings. He’s a defensive stud and would fit in nicely behind Grandal. The Sox have to give up Thompson and another player to the rebuilding Pirates, who should be selling every veteran on their roster.

Catchers: 

Yasmani Grandal – $18.25 M
Jacob Stallings – $2.6 M

Total: $20.85 M

First Baseman:

Jose Abreu – $18 M
Gavin Sheets – $.575 M

Total: $18.575 M

Second Baseman:

Corey Seager – $30 M

Shortstop:

Tim Anderson – $9.5 M

Third Baseman:

Yoan Moncada – $13 M

Utility:

Chris Taylor – $11 M
Romy Gonzalez – $.575 M

Total: $11.575 M

Outfielders:

Nick Castellanos – $20 M
Kyle Schwarber – $13 M
Luis Robert – $6 M
Bryce Harper – $26 M

Total: $65 M

Starting Pitchers

1. Lance Lynn – $18.5 M
2. Lucas Giolito – $25 M
3. Robbie Ray – $18 M
4. Dylan Cease – $.575 M
5. Michael Kopech – $.575 M

Total: $62.65 M

Relief Pitching

CL: Raisel Iglesias – $13 M
RP: Ryan Tepera – $4 M
RP: Garrett Crochet – $.575 M
RP: Jose Ruiz – $.575 M
RP: Aaron Bummer – $2.5 M
RP: Reynaldo Lopez – $2.8 M
RP: Jonathan Stiever – $.575 M
RP: Andrew Chafin – $5 M

Total: $29.025 M

—————————————————————————————————————————–

Summary of Costs:

Infield + Utility: $82.65 M

Outfield: $65 M

Pitching + Catching: $112.525 M

Total: $260.175 M

Overall this is a crazy offseason plan. I don’t think the White Sox are ever gonna spend this much amount of money in the near future. In this plan we got our future second baseman/shortstop in Corey Seager. We also got a perennial MVP candidate, and two big bats to man left field. We got a backup catcher, upgraded our bullpen and also got a solid 3 starter. Thanks for reading (also check out my first offseason plan which is more realistic)!

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Matt Verplaetse

I like some of the ideas here. However, you mention platooning Castellanos and Schwarber, but the whole reason Castellanos is an attractive option is that he hits both righties and lefties, making a platoon partner totally unnecessary. Also, giving up Thompson for Stallings feels like an overpay. You can get a serviceable backup catcher pretty cheap in free agency.

Trooper Galactus

And I thought getting Taylor for 3/36 in another plan was bananas.