Drake LaRoache’s Offseason Plan

PREAMBLE

The time is now for the White Sox. As we all know this is a rare offseason with two 25 year old MVP candidates in Free Agency. I would go after both and take the one who will sign first. They need to be bold and aggressive in their pursuit of these 2 free agents. 

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

  • Jose Abreu, $16M – Tender
  • Avisail Garcia, $8M – Non-Tender
  • Yolmer Sanchez, $4.7M – Tender
  • Carlos Rodon, $3.7M – Tender
  • Matt Davidson, $2.4M – Tender
  • Leury Garcia, $1.9M – Tender
  • Danny Farquhar, $1.4M – Non –  Tender

CLUB OPTIONS

  • Nate Jones, $4.65 million/$1.25M buyout – Pick up
  • James Shields, $16 million/$2M buyout – Decline

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

  • Miguel Gonzalez (made $4.75 million in 2018) Let go
  • Hector Santiago (made $2 million in 2018 — added) Let go

FREE AGENTS

No. 1 Bryce Harper (10 year, $330 million)

Biggest contract ever. Also, highest AAV for a position player. Reinsdorf shocks White Sox fans and proves how much he cares about his team.

No. 2 JA Happ (3 year, $45 million – 3rd year club option)

Happ comes home to finish his career. As crazy as it sounds this is the type of 36 year old pitcher who could still pitch 3-4 more years. Great teammate who could really help a young White Sox staff.

No. 3 Kelvin Herrera (1 year, 10 million)

Veteran to lead the bullpen. Hopefully we don’t want to trade him at the deadline because we are in the hunt.

TRADES

No. 1 Trade Nick Madrigal and Blake Rutherford for Nick Senzel (Reds)

Senzel is blocked at third and we give them a nice 2 for 1 trade. With the signing of Harper the White Sox can feel comfortable trading a corner outfielder from the system.

No. 2 Gavin Sheets for Sonny Gray (Yankees)

Yankees are looking to get rid of Gray and I’m not a huge fan of weak hitting first basemen. It’s also a good Cooper project.

SUMMARY

Omar Narvaez – DH – Not your traditional DH, but I’ll take 280/380/450. He improves every year. I don’t think think this slash line is impossible for him.

Bryce Harper – RF

Jose Abreu – 1B

Eloy Jimenez – LF

Yoan Moncada – 2B

Wellington Castillo – C

Nick Senzel – 3B

Tim Anderson – SS

Adam Engel – CF

Bench

Yolmer Sanchez

Leury Garcia

Wellington Castillo

Matt Davidson

 

 

Staff

  1. Rodon
  2. JA Happ
  3. 3. Lopez
  4. Gray
  5. Giolito

Bulpen

Kelvin Herrera

Jace Fry

Nate Jones

Juan Minaya – can be replaced by names below

Ian Hamilton/Jose Ruiz/Ryan Burr

Aaron Bummer/Caleb Frare

Jose Ruiz/Ryan Burr

Danish/Jordan Stephens – Long Man/6th starter

 

This roster should come in right around $110 million. While I wouldn’t bet on this roster making the playoffs, I don’t think it’s out of the question. The biggest hole is Center Field, but with Harper and Jimenez in the corners it won’t be the worst thing to have Engel roaming center. Let the young players grow and hopefully a couple of these prospects make a big jump. GO WHITE SOX!!

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lil jimmy

I like the Sheets for Gray trade.