PREAMBLE
White Sox will not be competitors in 2019. The most value for free agents comes in earlier years. Consequently, I don't think it makes sense to spend all our cash and get value when we won't be playoff contenders. I would rather postpone big signings until we see more development from youngsters. So - I'll be making moves to try to support 2020 and beyond.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender” or “non-tender” after each player. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Jose Abreu, $16M - Tender
- Avisail Garcia, $8M - Tender, close call. Could go either way but don't see more cost effective alternatives.
- Yolmer Sanchez, $4.7M - Tender
- Carlos Rodon, $3.7M - Tender
- Matt Davidson, $2.4M - Tender
- Leury Garcia, $1.9M - Non-tender
- Danny Farquhar, $1.4M - Non-tender
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” after the option.
- Nate Jones, $4.65 million/$1.25M buyout - pick up
- James Shields, $16 million/$2M buyout - decline
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, or let go?
- Miguel Gonzalez (made $4.75 million in 2018) - let go
- Hector Santiago (made $2 million in 2018 — added) - let go
FREE AGENTS
List three free-agent targets you’d pursue during the offseason, with a reasonable contract. A good example of a bad idea:
No. 1: Adam Jones (3 years, $36 million). 2018 outfield was bad. Nearly everyone was injured last year. I think getting a plug for the next 3 years would be great. CF was obviously the weakest position and hopefully Adam Jones can stay there over the next 3 years until an internal option develops.
No. 2: Yusei Kikuchi (4 years, $60 million). I'm interested. Herm Schneider and Don Cooper should certainly inspect his medicals closely but a 27 year old LHP would be a nice addition. This is the time to take gambles like this and get us back in the goodwills of the Japanese market. Obviously the contract is a shot in the dark but I think it's worth the risk.
No. 3: Trevor Rosenthal (1 years, $12 million with team option for 2nd year). Greg Holland got 1 year @ $14M so I think this should be about right. Hopefully gives us a trade asset at deadline.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade Wellington Castillo and Yolmer Sanchez to Los Angeles Dodgers for C Connor Wong and LHP Robinson Ortiz . As Fangraphs chronicled the Dodgers will need a catcher to plug in after Grandal leaves and before Keibert Ruiz or Will Smith are ready. Yomler's infield versatility will be well suited for a team that has had injury problems all over the diamond. We'll take back any appealing prospect(s) and chip in some cash to offset Castillo's deal. I picked them randomly based on: (1) age, (2) Fangraphs prospect ranking and (3) depth in LAD system. Basically I'm in search of a lottery ticket prospects that may pan out in our window and fill some positions of need in exchange of two guys we don't need.
No. 2: Trade Jose Abreu and Nate Jones to Tampa Bay Rays for RHP Shane Baz and CF Nick Schnell . Same idea - give up pieces that are better served on a contender in exchange for young prospects that lengthen the window. Feel free to adjust prospects of your choosing. Tampa Bay is good! They should go for it despite their tough division. Unfortunately, it won't get easier anytime soon and this is as good of a shot as Tampa will have in the next 5 years. Tampa could use an upgrade over CJ Cron. I could see NYY and Rockies making sense here too but I like Tampa's farm the most. Given how last offseason treated 1B free agents and the possibility of Goldschmidt being on the market, I'd be very happy with this package for 1 year of Abreu/Jones.
SUMMARY
C- Narvaez
1B – Palka
2B – Moncada
3B – Davidson
SS – Anderson
LF – Delmonico/Jimenez
CF – Jones
RF – Garcia - to be traded midseason if possible.
DH – Davidson/Palka
Bench:
OF – Engel
C – Zavala
UT – Rondon
Rotation:
SP – Lopez
SP – Kikuchi
SP – Rodon
SP – Giolito
SP – Covey
Bullpen:
Cl – Fry
SU – Rosenthal
SU – Minaya (Burdi when ready)
MI – Hamilton
MI – Burr
MI – Frare
MI – Vieira
Lg – Stephens
2018 was disappointing. I don't want to commit to a contender until I've seen more out of the "core" of the rebuild. I want to see more developments from rebuild cornerstones before going all in on FA. Obviously this would make 2019 another rough year - but if Moncada, Anderson, Cease, Kikuchi, Jimenez, and prospects show more positive development I would be all in on Arenado.
