PREAMBLE
The White Sox have been kicking along the can when it comes to actually spending money and trying to win. So much so, that Yoan Moncada and Lucas Giolito are only under control for four more seasons. So, it is time to shit or get off the pot when it comes to trying to build a team that can actually make the playoffs before these guys are down to the very end of their deal.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender” or “non-tender” after each player and their projected 2020 salaries. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- 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: Decline.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, or let go?
- Jose Abreu (made $16M in 2019) Re-sign at 3/50
- Iván Nova (made $9,166,167 in 2019) I like Nova, but I'm acquiring other pieces. Thank you for beating the Cubs.
- Jon Jay (made $4M in 2019): Bye
- Hector Santiago (made $2M in 2019 on split contract): I'd resign to a minor league deal for added depth.
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: Yasiel Puig 3 years/39 million. Puig is my friend. I want him to be in right field so bad that I can taste it. He has lost some of his luster as a ballplayer and some teams may not like his antics, but quite frankly I think the Sox need a guy like Puig. Even the good players are dry. Puig is electric and will bring a much needed boost in attitude. Plus, he will hit you 25 dingers and he can play the field pretty well.
Zack Wheeler: Five years/ 95 milli0n: I think Wheeler is a great fit on this team. He's had his injury struggles at times but when he is healthy he is good. We need more good pitchers. Wheeler will set the all time record as a White Sox free agent acquisition.
Yasmani Grandal: 4 years/72 million: You would think that with James McCann, Grandal wouldn't be a guy that the Sox are looking to target. But Grandal is as steady as they come behind the plate and he provides a nice left handed bat that you can get in that lineup.
TRADES
Propose trades that you think sound reasonable for both sides, and the rationale behind them. A good example of a bad idea:
No. 1: Trade Nick Madrigal, Jonathan Stiever, and Alec Hansen to the Orioles for Trey Mancini and Jonathan Villar
The Orioles get their replacement for Villar, a potential piece of their future rotation in Stiever and a wildcard in Alec Hansen. The White Sox get Mancini to float around the field and DH positions while absolutely destroying the ball and Villar to play second base.
No. 2: Trade Dylan Cease, Andrew Vaughn and Dane Dunning to the Cincinnati Reds for Luis Castillo
Castillo is the stud we need. He is the guy that can go toe to toe with the studs in the American League. Castillo along with Giolito, Wheeler, Kopech, Lopez and Rodon give the Sox a good starting core to challenge for the pennant.
You may say that my trades are unrealistic, but if you take a gander at the trade simulator, the Reds one was accepted and the White Sox declined the Orioles trade. Of course, I believe they are highly underrating Trey Mancini. He's a professional hitter. He can also play first, right, left and DH, which gives us flexibility. Villar hit 24 homers and stole 40 bases last year. His price tag is high, but you can't argue with that production he had last year. If he can do that for us again, it's totally worth it.
SUMMARY
- Robert CF
- Moncada 3B
- Abreu 1B
- Eloy LF
- Mancini DH
- Puig RF
- Grandal C
- Anderson SS
- Villar 2B
SP:
- Luis Castillo
- Lucas Giolito
- Zack Wheeler
- Michael Kopech
- Reynaldo Lopez/Carlos Rodon
Roster
C: Grandal- 18 M
C: McCann- 4.9 M
1B: Abreu- 16.7 M
2B: Villar- 10.4 M
SS: Anderson- 4 M
3B: Moncada- 600k
UTL: Garcia- 4 M
INF: Mendick- 600k
LF: Jimenez- 2.3 M
CF: Robert- 600k
RF: Puig- 13 M
OF: Mancini- 5.7 M
OF: Palka- 600 K
SP: Castillo- 600 K
SP: Giolito- 600 K
SP: Wheeler- 19 M
SP: Kopech- 600 K
SP: Lopez- 600 K
SP: Rodon- 4.5 M
RP: Colome- 10.3 M
RP: Bummer- 600K
RP: Fry- 600 K
RP: Herrera- 8.5 M
RP: Marshall- 1.3 M
RP: Cordero- 600 K
RP: Ruiz- 600 K
My team is a tad over budget, coming in at 129.8 million give or take a few rounding errors. I could get closer to the limit if I declined Rodon's arbitration, but I think I would rather have a bit of insurance than get rid of him. The offense is stacked. I foresee about 260 homers out of the lineup. It's a pitchers nightmare. Anyone in the order can and will take you deep. We have very good team speed as well. The front end of the rotation can go head to head with most front ends in the league. Kopech has the possibility to jump into that conversation as well giving the Sox four aces. Lopez can try to fill in that fifth slot again. If he's good, that's swell. If not, Rodon is there to take his spot. The bullpen is probably a bit light, but if we are going to be light anywhere, that is where I'd pick to be light. You can find suitable replacements without to much trouble. Just look at the Nationals bringing Dan Hudson back from the dead this year. Plus, one of Lopez or Rodon can possibly be an addition come mid-season.
My team is ready for you to make some October plans next year, Jerry. And who knows, you may not have many more Octobers left. Get it done and as Al Bundy would say, "Let's Rock". Or, are you just content to finish in second place and dangle the carrot?
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