Rounding up the news of the week (and of two months ago, apparently):
*If A.J. Pierzynski is to return to the White Sox, it won't happen during the five-day bargaining period is over. Both sides have agreed to let Pierzynski test the open market and see what happens.
*The Score 670 did reach a new deal with the Sox. It will serve as the team's flagship station for the next five years, with Ed Farmer and Darrin Jackson receiving extensions, too. There are also details about a new HD radio station devoted to all-Sox content, but I barely know anything about the medium.
*John Danks will be a high priority, as the Sox are going to try to construct a four-year deal to his liking.
*Mark Buehrle won his second consecutive Fielding Bible Award:
Buehrle won this award handily—runner up Zack Greinke only had 63 points. Buehrle's edge is his ability to control the running game. He only allowed six of 12 would-be base thieves to steal against him, and he picked off six additional baserunners.
Will the Gold Glove voters follow suit for the second straight year? Tune in Nov. 9.
*Charlotte will need a new coach, as the Seattle Mariners hired Chris Chambliss to serve as hitting coach for Eric Wedge.
*The New York Yankees never asked for permission to interview Don Cooper, contrary to prior reports.
*Carl has posted his first White Sox cartoon of the offseason, against all odds.
*White Sox Observer wraps up 2010 for Omar Vizquel and Mark Teahen.
*In two-month old news I just came across, Frank Thomas is giving the recording industry another shot, as he has founded the new W2W Records. His previous venture, Un-D-Nyable Entertainment, was possibly the worst Chicago athlete investment this side of Air Pip, and one of many things to go awry for Thomas in the late-1990s.
***************************
It's Friday the 13th -- as in 13th offseason plan, courtesy of the guy who forced you all to share your ideas, Striker. His end roster looks quite a bit different than most.
MUST-MAKE DECISIONS
1) Would you offer arbitration to:
*A.J. Pierzynski? (Type A) - No, I think he would accept.
*Paul Konerko? (Type A) - Yes, I think he wants a multiyear deal.
*Manny Ramirez? (Type A)
*J.J. Putz (Type B) - Yes
2) Would you pick up Ramon Castro’s $1.2 million option for 2011, or buy him out for $200,000?
Yes.
CLUB CONTROL (explain if warranted)
3) One-year contract for John Danks? If not, what would you pay to extend him?
Three years, $27 million ($6M/$9M/$12M), with a team option for the fourth year ($15m).
4) Would you tender a contract to Bobby Jenks?
No.
5) Would you tender a contract to Carlos Quentin?
Yes, $4 million.
6) Would you tender a contract to Tony Pena?
Yes, $1.7 million.
6a) Who would you try to extend?
I would try to extend Edwin Jackson for three years and $30 million ($9M/$10M/$11M). This would make Gavin Floyd available in the trade market. I also try to extend Matt Thornton for three years and $21 million.
FREE AGENCY: WHITE SOX
7) Which of the following impending White Sox free agents would you attempt to re-sign, and at what price:
- Paul Konerko
- A.J. Pierzynski
- J.J. Putz - One year, $4.5 million.
- Manny Ramirez - See below.
- Omar Vizquel - One year, $1.5 million.
- Andruw Jones: One year, $1.5 million.
- Freddy Garcia
- Mark Kotsay
FREE AGENCY: OUTSIDE HELP
8) Which positions are in the most dire need of an upgrade?
DH, right field, first base.
9) Name three (or more) free agents you’d consider, and at what price.
I'd take one of:
*Derrek Lee – One year, $5 million.
*Manny Ramirez – I’m torn on this one. My concerns are health and attitude. You know he’s good for a .400 OBP. His slugging might be on the decline but he could still produce runs. One year, $7 million.
*Hideki Mastui – One year, $4 million.
TRADES
10) Name a couple (or more) realistic trades that could improve the Sox.
*Carlos Quentin to the Los Angeles Dodgers for James Loney. Dodgers would get a slugging right handed outfielder and would free up first base to make a run at Dunn. White Sox get a young LH 1B. Not much pop but he drives in runs.
*Two B-level prospects to the New York Mets for Carlos Beltran and $8 million. Not sure if this would fly from the Mets' perspective. I know they want to decrease payroll but not sure what Beltran would cost.
SUMMARY
And finally:
11) Sum it all up in a paragraph or nine, and give a ballpark estimate of the total payroll.
Two-year depth chart:
2011 Lineup
LF Juan Pierre
CF Alex Rios
RF Carlos Beltran
1B Hideki Matsui
SS Alexei Ramirez
1B James Loney
2B Gordon Beckham
CA Tyler Flowers
3B Brent Morel
The goal of my team is to be competitive at the trade deadline then add difference maker(s) where needed. That could mean replacing Morel or Flowers if they aren’t doing well, or Beltran or Matsui if they aren’t healthy. We are overstocked with starting pitching and you only need 3 horses in the playoffs and starting pitching is at high demand at the trade deadline, so we could trade starting pitching to meet any offensive needs.
The good
- Top three hitters could steal 120 bases
- Two left-handed run producers, one switch-hitter
- Good defense
- Starting pitching depth
The bad
- Beltran and Matsui are injury risks
- Flowers, Beckham and Morel are all young. I think you have to give them a chance or you are going to have an expensive team in the long run.
- Chris Sale, Sergio Santos and Putz: Can they produce the same results?
***************************
Arizona Fall League:
- Peoria 14, Phoenix 5
- Good times for Eduardo Escobar, who singled, doubled and tripled in six at-bats.
- Bad times for Jared Mitchell, who struck out three times en route to an 0-for-5 day.
- Anthony Carter allowed a run on three hits and a strikeout in his inning of work.
