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.)
