HulkSmash’s Offseason Plan

PREAMBLE

I dunno. I guess this is more a plan reflecting what I think the Sox will do vs. what I’d like them to do. They’re in a tough spot, let’s face it. Looking at the starting rotation is like staring into the abyss–Who’s good? Who’s healthy? Who’s both? Position players offer the same amount of mystery if not more, particularly when you look at how so many players fared in AA last season. But, at least the Sox got some good looks at some of their fringey AAA players after September call–oh wait. They opted not to do that for unfathomable reasons.

Anywho. Below’s some cold pragmatism and a dash of wishful thinking. I do believe they can be better in 2020. Heck, they could even maybe compete. Maybe.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

  • Alex Colomé, $10.3M – Tender
  • Yolmer Sánchez, $6.2M – Non-tender
  • James McCann, $4.9M – Tender
  • Carlos Rodon, $4.5M – Tender
  • Leury García, $4M – Tender
  • Evan Marshall, $1.3M – Tender
  • Josh Osich, $1M – Non-tender
  • Ryan Goins, $900K – Non-tender

CLUB OPTIONS

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

  • Welington Castillo: $8 million/$500,000 buyout – So long.

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

Try to retain, or let go?

  • Jose Abreu (made $16M in 2019)  – Retain (more below)
  • Iván Nova (made $9,166,167 in 2019) – Pass
  • Jon Jay (made $4M in 2019) – I can’t believe this is even a question.
  • Hector Santiago (made $2M in 2019 on split contract) – Please no not again.

FREE AGENTS

Sign Jose Abreau for 4 years / $55 million: I’d like to sign him for less, money and years, but this gets it done. He stays where he belongs and continues to contribute real value to the team in a number of ways.

Sign Zack Wheeler for 5 years / $85 million: Gang–we ain’t signing Cole. It’s just not happening. So, let’s go after a realistic target who can help anchor this rotation. I worry about Bumgarner’s durability, and after that there’s not a whole lot that’ll be available to us. Wheeler it is, and you can do worse.

Sign Mike Moustakas for 2 years / $22 million: He’s versatile, lefty, and has a solid bat. Sox are starving for that.

TRADES

Trade Bernardo Flores and Tyler Johnson (or some such young arms) for Joc Pederson: There’s our right fielder.

SUMMARY

Lineup then is (come mid-May or June when Robert and Madrigal are up):

C – McCann

1B – Abreu

2B – Madrigal

SS – Anderson

3B – Moncada

LF – Eloy

CF – Robert

RF – Pederson

DH/utility – Moustakas

Bench:

C – Collins

IF – Mendick

OF – Garcia

OF – Engel

Rotation:

Giolito

Wheeler

Kopech (come mid-May or so)

Cease

Lopez

Bullpen:

Colome

Herrera

Marshall

Bummer

A couple other guys TBD

Can this team win ~90 games?

Probably not but…maybe? You have to hope they can get in the 80s with the new additions and with some players taking steps forward and returning from injury while hoping someone–please, someone–breaks out in the minors. I’m looking at you Basabe, Rutherford, Sheets, Walker, Adolfo, Gonzalez, etc. etc. etc. (I’d include Vaughn, but he’s off the hook, for now, because it’s early still.)

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PauliePaulie

Other than Mouse, I agree that this is most likely Sox’ actual offseason plan.
And I’m not happy about it.

Denman

I think it’s interesting that fan’s seem to be totally okay with low-balling Abreu. He’s coming off of his best season in terms of HRs and RbIs: give the guy a raise.

Eagle Bones

Not the best metrics to measure performance.

PauliePaulie

You’re right HS. It’s an overpay. And the Sox are likely to give it to him.

PauliePaulie

Again. It’s his second worst season,both on O and D. Counting stats aren’t how players are judged anymore. Rightly so.
He’s a 33 YO RH, 1B. If the Sox go to $15mil AAV, it’s an overpay.

PauliePaulie

agreed.