PREAMBLE
We were asked to "Trust the Process" and "Trust the Prospects" and for the most part I feel the rebuild is trending in a damn good direction. In the surreal 20' season the realistic expectations changed from a fringe playoff team to an actual pennant contender. Almost all of the premium prospects are panning out, with achievable higher ceilings , and with the addition of solid veterans (NOT un-tapped potential bums or fossils) to help supplement the high end cost controlled youth Hahn can take this thing to the Moon if the 84 year old Reinsdorf will open his pockets a little.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2020 salaries, arranged by the three calculation methods described by MLB Trade Rumors. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Nomar Mazara: $5.6M | $5.9M | $5.7M - Non Tender, go find your un-tapped potential elsewhere
- Carlos Rodón: $4.5M | $4.5M | $4.5M - Non Tender, now that he's an established bullpen arm he will find work quickly.
- Lucas Giolito: $2.5M | $5.3M | $2.5M - Tender - Would love to see an extension worked out but not sure if he'll go for it.
- 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: Uncertain - Offer minor league contract
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Edwin Encarnación: $12M - Decline, still amazes me that the DH production went down this year...
- Gio González: $7M ($500K buyout) - Decline
- Leury García: $3.5M ($250K buyout) - Pick up
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, or let go?
- Alex Colomé (Made $10,532,500 in 2020) - Let go. A QO of $18.9M is a lot and he would accept it. I understand how well he has performed but I'm ok going with in-house more affordable arms to close a game out if it'll help shore up the team elsewhere.
- James McCann (Made $5.4M in 2020) - Let go. Would love to keep McCann but he will get paid. Good for him.
- Jarrod Dyson (Made $2M in 2020) - Let go.
COACHING STAFF
Here’s a first: Pick your manager and pitching coach, with any elaboration.
- Manager: A.J. Hinch. I don't care what the Baseball Insider puppets say, Tony La Russa will NOT manage this specific White Sox team for a number of reasons which would best be discussed over a taste (for you non The Wire fans that means a drink). Bottom line, 2020 is much different than 2010 and La Russa is not compatible with this squad at this time.
- Note: I give Hahn props for seeing that Renteria can't take a team to the next level. Firing him was the correct move and it wasn't just because of the last few weeks although the Rodon appearance in Cleveland has me scratching my head to this day. What an absolute blunder.
- Pitching coach: ??? I'd be lying to say I followed pitching coaches around the league. I trust Hinch/Hahn will get their guy. Coop did his job but it's a good time to move on.
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: Marcus Stroman (4 years, $60 million with a 5th year vesting option @ $20M). This is a fair contract for him and similar to Kyle Hendricks recent deal. I'd love to have Bauer but he will command too much, especially if he takes a (1) year deal. The Sox must shore up their rotation with a solid arm and Stroman teaming with TA7 would be awesome.
No. 2: Joc Pederson (3 years, $25 million). He had a down year but adds a historically solid LH bat that can field and is only 28. Engel has shown he is an MLB player and he will platoon well with Joc. Let's end the ridiculous black hole that embedded itself in RF for the last few years.
No. 3: Shane Greene (2 years, $14 million). Greene is a solid addition to the pen to help the loss of Colome. The Sox have time to figure out who will close.
No. 4: Tommy La Stella (1 year, $5 million). An above average LH bat that can play 2B & 3B when needed. Leury will need to be the SS back-up if TA7 goes down.
No. 5: Tyler Flowers (1 year, $4 million). A familiar face. Yes, it's an offensive downgrade from McCann but the rest of the lineup should be able to more than compensate for his limited appearances. And who knows, maybe my guy Yermin will be the back-up catching hero we need but don't deserve.
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: No significant off season trades. Let's roll into the season and add as needed prior to the deadline.
SUMMARY
26 Man Roster:
Note: I've halved the projected Arbitration dollars because who the hell knows what direction that's going.
- TA7 (SS) - $7.25M
- Moncada (3B) - $6.8M
- Abreu (1B/DH) - $17.67M
- Grandal (C/DH) - $18.25M
- Eloy (LF) - $4.33M
- Robert (CF) - $3.5M
- ANDREW VAUGHN (1B/DH) - BAH GAWD! HAHN DOES IT AGAIN!!! Extension 6 YR 35M with a 2 YR team option @ $17.5M each. This deal roughly splits the Evan White/Eloy deals. Vaughn is a major league hitter with an advanced hit tool coupled with power and will be a massive shot in the arm to the DH spot. He will be a perennial .300/.400/.500 hitter and possibly the best bat on the team (which is scary). - $1.5m YR (1)
- Joc (RF) - $8.33M
- Madrigal (2B) - $700k
- Leury (Utility) - $3.5M
- Engel (Outfield) - $1.2M
- Flowers (Catcher) - $4M
- La Stella (Utility) - $5M
- Giolito (SP) - $3.9M
- Keuchel (SP) - $18M
- Stroman (SP) - $15M
- Dunning (SP) - $700k
- Cease/Kopech (SP) - $700k - Kopech will be held down a few weeks to regain some lost service time but he will finally get back on the pitching mound.
- Bummer (RP) - $2M
- Marshall (RP) - $1.6M
- Greene (RP) - $7M
- Foster (RP) - $700k
- Heuer (RP) - $700k
- Crochet (RP) - $700k
- Fry (RP) - $900k
- Lopez/Cordero - $1.95M - Let them fight it out.
2021 payroll $135M. This leaves the team with continued financial flexibility to make a splash at the deadline and beyond, if necessary. Also, an additional mid tier starter could be added this offseason and kept below the $150M goal.
I believe this plan vastly improves the SP, RF & DH spots while helping to fortify the pen and bench with a reasonable payroll. I've always been a big rebuild guy and am excited to see this team take the next step and firmly believe they will. Most importantly, I just want to be back on the Southside enjoying this team in person with the fans because if 20' is any indication of what the future looks like 21' will be absolutely electric.
