After a disappointing end to the 2021 season, it is clear the Sox have two major holes: 2B and RF. Not to mention a few other depth issues.
A noticeable difference in depth and talent was present playing the Astros and other teams. It's time to shrink those differences.
Here we Go...
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Lucas Giolito: $7.9M Tender
- Reynaldo López; $2.8M Tender
- Evan Marshall: $2.3M Tender
- Adam Engel: $2.2M Tender
- Brian Goodwin: $1.7M Non-tender
- Jimmy Cordero: $1.2M Tender
- Jace Fry: $1M Tender
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Craig Kimbrel: $16M ($1M buyout) Pick Up
- César Hernández: $6M Decline
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?
- Leury García (Made $3.5M in 2021) 1 year, $4M
- Carlos Rodón ($3M) QO (Declined)
- Billy Hamilton ($1M) Minor League Deal
- Ryan Tepera ($950K) 1 Year, $4M
FREE AGENTS
Starling Marte - 3 Years, $54M
Speed. Contact. Defense. The perfect RFer for the Sox. How quickly will he decline at 33 years old? Not sure. He still had 83rd percentile Sprint speed in 2021 and he would be moving to an easier defensive position. Hopefully he’s willing to play mostly RF.
Robinson Chirinos - 1 year, $2M
Last year exploited the White Sox C depth. Luckily, they got to find out who Zack Collins was in a year that the division didn’t threaten then. Sox need a guy that they feel comfortable catching 40-50+ games a year. Chrinos is old but can still wack it and play decent defense.
Daniel Hudson - 1 Year, $6M
Hello, old friend. More RP depth.
TRADES
Craig Kimbrel ($16M) +Evan Marshall + Jose Ruiz to Philadelphia for Jean Segura ($14M)
The White Sox need a 2B, the Phillies need relief pitching. The Phillies were 27th in team fWar for relievers and have no legit closer. Kimbrel gives them a potential lights out closer. Ruiz proved that he's a good low leverage reliever last year and is still young + has the stuff for a bigger role. A good low leverage reliever would be a god-send for the Phillies. Marshall is one injury free season removed from being a legit back of the bullpen option. He's a good bounce back candidate. Segura gives the Sox a low strike-out, high average bat with sneaky pop for the bottom of the line-up. Ideally, we’d pick up someone that mashes righties but turning Kimbrel into a legit starting 2B isn’t a bad thing. I think the Sox would have to throw in more for this to happen.
SUMMARY
Starting Line-up:
SS Tim Anderson ($9.5M)
CF Luis Robert ($6M)
1B Jose Abreu ($19.66M)
C Yasmani Grandal ($18.25M)
LF Eloy Jimenez ($7.33M)
3B Yoan Moncada ($13.8M)
RF Starling Marte ($18M)
DH Gavin Sheets ($500k)
2B Jean Segura ($14M)
Bench: Adam Engel, Robinson Chrinos, Leury Garcia, Andrew Vaughn (Bench Payroll = $7.5M)
Rotation:
- Giolito ($7.9M)
- Lynn ($18.5M)
- Cease ($500K)
- Kopech ($500k)
- Keuchel ($18M)
CL: Hendricks ($16M)
SU: Bummer ($2.5M)
SU: Tepera ($4M)
MID: Crotchet ($500K)
MID: Hudson ($6M)
MID: Burr ($500k)
MID: Ruiz ($500K)
LR: Lopez ($2.8M)
Yeah, Yeah. I’m way over budget. Keuchel’s contact is really hampering the Sox. I thought about trying to trade him but with being owed $38M over 2 years, it’s unlikely can be traded unless the Sox give a team 2-3 decent prospects. We are going to have to ride with him in 2022 and hope he can throw enough innings to not be a total pitfall.
If Jerry gave Hahn the green light to trade cheap and effective Madrigal/Heuer for expensive Kimbrel, I’m going to assume Jerry is going to open his wallet this off-season. With Segura, Tepera, Hudson, Garcia among those off the books next season, I think you can convince Jerry to go a little overkill this off-season. Jose Rodriguez should be able to take Segura’s place in 2023 if all goes well.
That Sox line-up is DEEP. The rotation has a really good big 3 with a potential Kopech breakout. The Relief Corps is strong and has depth.
