TheRealDBerks’ Offseason Plan

PREAMBLE

The White Sox are in one of the most interesting positions in baseball heading into this offseason. At several points in August they looked like they could run the table, but the failure to properly address several gaping holes at SP, RF, and DH ended up being their downfall (not to mention bad in game decisions, (bringing in Rodon over Bummer against Cleveland). Now with open manager and pitching coach positions, they head into one of the most uncertain offseasons in baseball history. So here is my plan.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

  • Nomar Mazara: $5.6M | $5.9M | $5.7M
    • Bye Nomar. At the time, I was furious over the trade, mostly because James Fegan made me think that Steele Walker was worth a much bigger return (he isn’t). I did have some hope for Nomar though because I convinced myself that the Sox saw something in him that they thought that they could really “unlock”, and maybe they still think they can, but not at $5.9M. NON TENDER
  • Carlos Rodón: $4.5M | $4.5M | $4.5M
    • This is a tough one. His stretch of 9 starts in July-August 2018 was some of the best pitching I’ve seen of any pitcher in the last several years, (I’d go as far to say that he was the best pitcher in baseball during that stretch). Looking back at the 2014 draft, he was almost a sure thing and I don’t fault the Sox for the pick at all. The mistake was his rushed development. His pitch selection seems limited to fastball slider at this point and I am not sure how well that plays as a starter anymore. This is actually the last decision I have left to make but after evaluating all the options, I just think it may be best for both the Sox and Rodon to go their separate ways. NON TENDER
  • Lucas Giolito: $2.5M | $5.3M | $2.5M
    • I thought Giolito’s first year arb value would be similar to Jose Berrios’ 4 million. It looks like its is going to be a bit higher. Regardless I would TENDER
    • ALSO try to work out an extension similar to the Chris Sale contract, which was 5 year 32.5 M, with options that brought it to 7 year 59M, granted Sale still had 1 pre-arb year. Adjusting for that, I would offer Gio a 4 year 40M deal (what Severino got), with salary increasing year over year with options to make it a 6 year 70M with added bonuses stemming from various awards.
  • Reynaldo López: $1.7M | $2.2M | $1.7M
    • He’s young still. In 2018 he looked fantastic and had 2-3 great starts in 2019. Let’s see how a new pitching coach could help him out. He still has time. Tender
  • Evan Marshall: $1.3M | $1.9M | $1.4M
    • One of the best surprises of the last 2 seasons, Marshall has become a very reliable late-inning arm. In an arb system that prioritizes the number of saves, Marshall will always have a low arb value. Now if only MLB the Show does him justice and improves his 63 overall rating. Tender
  • Adam Engel: $1M | $1.4M | $1M
    • Outstanding defender with + speed and improving bat? TENDER
  • Jace Fry: $800K | $1M | $800K
    • I HATE JACE FRY. Ever since he blew a 3 run lead for Rodon against the Blue Jays in 2018. I never thought he was that good. With the 3 batter minimum, lefty relievers are even less valued. That said, I do like him a bit more now that he is no longer the primary left-handed reliever out of the pen. TENDER
  • Yolmer Sánchez: Uncertain
    • Does it even matter what they do? He will probably be back at some point in 2021 anyways.

CLUB OPTIONS

    • Edwin Encarnación: $12M
  • Decline. Very easy decision based on Edwin’s lack of production. That said, I suggest resigning Edwin to a 1 year 5M with possible incentives based deal to bridge the 1B/DH transition to Abreu and Andrew Vaughn.
    • Gio González: $7M ($500K buyout)
  • Decline. At least we got to see Gio pitch for the White Sox.
  • Leury García: $3.5M ($250K buyout)
    • Pick-Up. Garcia’s ability to play anywhere across the diamond brings tremendous value to any team. His offensive abilities are nothing eye-popping but in his limited sample size this season he appeared to possess more power than in years past. This is a very easy decision.

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

  • Alex Colomé (Made $10,532,500 in 2020)
    • Colomé’s salary was inflated by an antiquated arbitration system that rewards relievers purely for the number of saves on their stat line. I would be open to bringing back Colomé, but I would not prioritize signing Alex Colome above addressing other needs. After Liam Hendriks and Trevor Rosenthal, Colome looks like the next best option on the closing market. I think there are several internal candidates such as Codi Heuer and Matt Foster to take over the closer role at much lower cost than Colome. I think Bummer should stay in his current role of being used in the most high leverage situation. Colome has been very lucky in terms of his expected results over the past two years and eventually that could catch up to him.
  • James McCann (Made $5.4M in 2020)
    • Cue the memes of Giolito as Wolverine holding the picture of James McCann. I love James McCann but he has earned himself the chance to start at catcher and play every day for the team of his choosing. I see him getting a contract comparable to Wilson Ramos (around 3 year 30M, possibly with the 3rd year being an option) from whatever team doesn’t get JT Realmuto.
  • Jarrod Dyson (Made $2M in 2020)
    • He will get a minor league contract with an invite to spring training from some team, maybe the Sox, but I am not factoring him into the big picture.

COACHING STAFF

I expect a new manager to clean house of the coaching staff. That said, I don’t expect Joe McEwing to be returning as bench coach. The only coach I believe that will remain is Frank Menechino, because of the offensive success this past season (I see this a 1 year trial, if things don’t work out, then I could reasonably see a change in that position after next season). I won’t into first and third base coaches because that would be a huge rabbit hole I would be going down.

  • Manager: A.J. Hinch
    • This is not Tony La Russa time again. It’s not Ozzie or A.J. Pierzynski time. A.J. Hinch took a 100+ loss for several years in a row Astros team and turned them into a perennial powerhouse (yes I know they cheated and he didn’t do enough to stop it). Look, the Astros were good before they cheated and A.J. Hinch helped them achieve that success. Hinch served his punishment and while there may be some backlash, but A.J. Hinch is too good of a manager to pass up the opportunity to hire him.
  • Pitching coach: Doug White
    • Doug White was a pitching instructor in the Astros system from 2014-15, in 2016 was the Astros’ minor league pitching coordinator before becoming the bullpen coach from 2017 through 2018 when he left to be the Angels pitching coach in 2019 (he is currently available as Joe Maddon did not renew his contract). The Astros have been lauded for their pitching development over the past several years: Charlie Morton, Gerrit Cole, Justin Verlander, Dallas Keuchel and more all reinvented themselves with the Astros. The Astros’ pitching has been known for high spin rates, which could be very beneficial for pitchers like Dylan Cease and Reynaldo Lopez.

Note: I was going to suggest Joe Espada as bench coach as his option wasn’t picked up in July, but based on comments yesterday it seems like he will be returning to Houston. But should he be available, absolutely hire him as bench coach.

FREE AGENTS

Before I get this section started, I would like to address everyone sticking Michael Brantley in RF, he has played 9/1245 career games in right field. He is slow and lacks the arm to play right field. With a liability in left field, we don’t want a liability in right field and do not need to pay him over 10M to DH.

No. 1: George Springer 6 year 150M 

Look I don’t know how likely the White Sox are to sign George Springer but I know after missing on Manny Machado and with Mookie Betts resigning, George Springer is that final piece to the lineup puzzle. Springer has a tremendous track record of post season success. He hits for power and plays a great center and right field and has there arm to stay in right as he gets older. Here is where it gets tricky though is justifying giving a 6 year contract to a 31 year old outfielder. I originally had the deal at 5 years, then 5 with an option, but seeing how the lack of guaranteed money was the difference between the White Sox and Padres offers to Manny Machado, you have to be the team that give the extra guaranteed year, even if it means paying a 37 year old George Springer 25M. When coming up with the terms and length of the deal, I looked at Jason Heyward getting 8 year 184M at age 26. I assume that Springer will want to beat Heyward on AAV and get an increase from his 21M arb salary. I don’t see him getting 30M/year but he can reasonably get 25M/year and the white sox should be the team to give it to him. The connection to A.J. Hinch is instrumental in getting Springer here.

You are going to have to overpay a bit to get George Springer, which hinders some of the other areas to improve, but I really think Springer is that piece we so desperately need.

I am aware of his bond with Michael Brantley, but he doesn’t fit into this plan.

No. 2: Kevin Gausman 1 year 12.5M with club option to make it 2 year 25M

I originally had Q here at the same deal, but after I have a trade you will see shortly, I thought Gausman was a much better fit and player. Gausman quietly had an 79ks in 59.2 IP, (11.9 K/9) , a 3.09 era,and was 52nd in amount of ground balls thrown, (about half that of keuchel). Gausman could have helped the sox at the deadline and he can help them next season.

No. 3: Jason Castro 1 year 3.5M

Yes I know this brings me over the limit to 139.1M, but Castro is a proven catcher coming off of a down year with a history with A.J. Hinch and the Astros. He is a capable backup who could be signed at a reasonable price.

No. 4: Jimmy Nelson Minor League Deal

Jimmy Nelson has been hurt for almost 3 years. I still think he could have some value and why not invite him to spring training and see what he has left.

No. 5: Tony Watson Minor League Deal

Once again, see what he’s still got.

TRADES

Zack Collins and Blake Rutherford for Kyle Freeland

Freeland has fallen off a bit but still has a similar ground ball rate to Dallas Keuchel. I think Doug White and Dallas Keuchel could really benefit Freeland’s development and help him reclaim part of the form that helped him finish 4th in the Cy Young voting in 2018. His projected arb value is 4.5M. (.5M can be removed from to account for Collins’ salary)

NON TENDER CANDIDATES

No. 1: Chris Devenski

Devenski has history with both the Sox and A.J. Hinch and Doug White. Should he be non-tendered, I think the White Sox should invite him to Spring Training and they can see what he has left.

SUMMARY

After all decisions I have the final payroll at 143.6M. Yes it is a bit higher than the 135M limit, but me feeling the need to do at least 1 trade added some money to the payroll. I do not know how realistic it is that the White Sox land George Spring but I absolutely think they should be in on a Kevin Gausman. I think Doug White would be a huge get for the White Sox and vastly improve their pitching development. I think Kenny may finally get his man in Joc Pederson should they miss on Springer. I would love for the team to get a Marcus Stroman as well but I think they should focus their resources on Springer and look to the trade market for other pitches besides Gausman. Another name I was in on was Joe Musgrove (again the Astros connection here) but I couldn’t build a fair trade on baseball trade simulator. Thank you for reading this far and feel free to give me a follow @therealdberks

 

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Sox_Fan2008

The $150M deal for Springer balloons the payroll and I also think that deal is not worth it. You can get younger RFs for less money, Springer will be 37 by the end of the deal, which will come back to haunt the Sox.

sbrown1234

Spot on with the comment on Brantley. We have a huge controllable asset with Vaughn – you have to leverage advantages like that.