PREAMBLE
The Sox have an exciting young core that should compete for the division crown and possibly more for the next couple of years. There are some spots that need improvement. And I hope to make them.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Nomar Mazara: $5.6M | $5.9M | $5.7MNon-Tender
- Carlos Rodón: $4.5M | $4.5M | $4.5M Non-Tender
- Lucas Giolito: $2.5M | $5.3M | $2.5M Tender
- Reynaldo López: $1.7M | $2.2M | $1.7M Tender
- Evan Marshall: $1.3M | $1.9M | $1.4M Tender
- Adam Engel: $1M | $1.4M | $1M Tender
- Jace Fry: $800K | $1M | $800K Tender
- Yolmer Sánchez: Minor League invite
CLUB OPTIONS
- Edwin Encarnación: $12M Decline
- Gio González: $7M ($500K buyout) Decline
- Leury García: $3.5M ($250K buyout) Pick Up
I am a big fan of Edwin Encarnacion but after his 2020 performance, I can’t justify bringing him back. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him do well wherever he catches on though.
Gio Gonzalez just couldn’t stay on the field and I can’t count on him doing that down the line.
Leury got injured early but for 3.5 million, I bring him back. He’s versatile and good.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Alex Colomé (Made $10,532,500 in 2020)
Re-sign for 3/36 million. He’s too good at his job to let go. Moving on would be a grave mistake. If you do, the bullpen best case scenario still takes a hit and worst case scenario opens a massive hole.
- James McCann (Made $5.4M in 2020)
Id love to have him back. Unfortunately it’s not going to happen. McCann will get a deal from another team that he will struggle to live up to after being exposed too much as an everyday option.
- Jarrod Dyson (Made $2M in 2020)
If we need Dyson I’m sure we could trade a couple of baseballs for him next July or August. Nice player to bring in for a run but not to spend the entire year on the team.
COACHING STAFF
- Manager: Tony LaRussa
- Pitching coach: Richard Dotson
LaRussa is the best man for the job if he is healthy enough to do it. He’s always been ahead of the curve as far as data goes and he’s managed players that were a lot more flashy than the current team. He’s also a proven winner and creates a mentality of a champion. Dave Duncan is under contract with the Sox but my guess is Richard Dotson will be the guy. He’s been a good soldier in the Sox organization for years and has earned his opportunity. Plus, I’d like a few more autographs of his so I’m happy he’s around.
FREE AGENTS
DJ LeMahieu 4/68 million. DJ is a perfect compliment to our lineup. He hits for average, he gets on base and he can make an outfielder turn around. Him and Anderson might set the record for combined batting average up the middle.
Adam Wainwright 1/8 million LaRussa helps bring in his former stud to take a spot in the Sox rotation. Wainwright should come in very handy as a ballsy veteran with a ton of playoff experience.
Kurt Suzuki 1/3 Good veteran that can be serviceable for an extended time if need be.
TRADES
Trade Michael Kopech, Micker Adolfo and Andrew Dalquist to the Orioles for Anthony Santander and John Means.
Santander is a masher who hits from both sides of the plate. He hit 20 homers in 2019 and followed that up with a great 2020 before getting injured. John Means had an all star 2019 season when he was 12-11 with a 3.60 ERA. The orioles are still a ways away from competing in the East and might find the lure of Kopech’s stuff to be worth dealing for. Adolfo is running out of time here, but he could have an opportunity in Baltimore.
SUMMARY
Infield: Abreu, LeMahieu, Anderson, Moncada
Outfield: Eloy, Robert, Santander
C: Grandal
Bench: Leury, Engel, Suzuki, Madrigal
SP: Giolito, Keuchel, Wainwright, Means, Cease
Pen: Colome, Heuer, Bummer, Foster, Fry, Marshall, Crochet, Cordero, Lopez
The Sox have gotten veteran savvy, a versatile team, added depth, Santander smokes righties, didn’t lose that much out of their minor league depth. Have a strong bullpen. Dunning, Steiver, Lopez and Cease can battle it out for the fifth starter and we have depth to cover injuries. Andrew Vaughn can come up and DH at any time. Prior to that call up, Engel, Garcia and Madrigal can rotate in and out of the lineup giving DH days to Eloy, LeMahieu, Abreu. And they retain financial flexibility to make more additions when and where they see fit. The total cost is 140.797 with the middle (highest) arbitration salaries and González’ buy out and 134.997 using the lower arbitration numbers. We added two starters, one of the best hitters in the American League, an outfielder on the rise and kept the best closer we’ve had in my life. You’re welcome.
