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
- Rodon
- JA Happ
- 3. Lopez
- Gray
- 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!!
