The White Sox were World Series contenders last year and were favorites by some to win the pennant. My idea behind this plan is to make this team even stronger than last year and to maintain World Series aspirations on the south side.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Lucas Giolito: $7.9M TENDER
- Reynaldo López; $2.8M TENDER
- Evan Marshall: $2.3M NON-TENDER
- Adam Engel: $2.2M TENDER
- Brian Goodwin: $1.7M NON-TENDER (Just doesn’t seem like he has a spot being an average hitter and a bad defender)
- Jimmy Cordero: $1.2M TENDER (Jimmy could be a decent reliever given rehab and rest.)
- Jace Fry: $1M NON-TENDER
CLUB OPTIONS
- Craig Kimbrel: $16M ($1M buyout) PICK UP
- César Hernández: $6M DECLINE
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Leury García (Made $3.5M in 2021) Let Go
- Carlos Rodón ($3M) Let Go (Very worried about his medicals)
- Billy Hamilton ($1M) Let Go
- Ryan Tepera ($950K) Resign
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Micheal Conforto (four years, $84 million).
- There is no denying that Conforto had a very underwhelming 2021 season. In his 2021 season he put up: 106 wRC+, 101 OPS+, 0.8 rWAR, -1.4 BsR and 1 OAA. With his steamer projections, it seems a bounce-back season is an extremely likely scenario. He projects to have a 121 wRC+ and 2.5 fWAR. Acquiring Conforto gives balance to the lineup with a very good bat and defense.
No. 2: Chris Taylor (four years, $56 million).
- The White Sox have a big hole to fill at 2B and Chris Taylor is perfect to fill that role. He finished the 2021 season with 113 wRC+, 6.3 BsR, 3.1 fWAR, and 110 OPS+. He also was good defensively with 2 DRS in 293 innings.
No. 3: Ryan Tepera (two years, $13 million)
- Ryan Tepera was absolutely elite coming from the north side. With the White Sox, Ryan Tepera posted up a 58 ERA-, 59 FIP-, 22.7% K-BB% and a 3.18 SIERA. Resigning him will be very important to stack up this White Sox pen
No. 4: Corey Kluber (one year, $4 million)
- Corey Kluber was hit by injuries this season once again. He only racked up 80IP but was solid with a 3.83 ERA and a 3.84 FIP. He would be in a 6th man rotation or in the bullpen to preserve his health.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade Andrew Vaughn, Andrew Dalquist, and Micker Adolfo to Miami for Pablo Lopez and Richard Bleier.
- Trading Vaughn is something many people don't want to see, but getting someone of Pablo Lopez's level can't be passed on. Vaughn's ceiling will not be achieved if he stays on the south side as they have the corner OF and 1B of the future. Pablo Lopez in his 2021 season had 77 ERA-, 79 FIP-, 78 xFIP- and a 3.32 SIERA. Pablo has 3 years of control with all 3 being relatively cheap. Richard Bleier has 1 year left on his deal and would be a very good addition to the bullpen. He had 2.95 ERA, 3.01 FIP and a 2.65 SIERA.
No. 2: Trade Jonathan Stiever to Toronto for Reese McGuire
- With the Blue Jays having Danny Jansen and Alejandro Kirk there is really no need for Reese McGuire. The White Sox were in need of a backup catcher after Yasmani Grandal was hurt for a big part of the season. Reese McGuire had 1.3 fWAR in 217 PA which calculates to 3.9 fWAR/650. Reese is a very good defender with an average/below-average bat for a catcher.
No. 3: Trade Dallas Keuchel and Garrett Crochet to Baltimore for Cole Sulser
- In order to get rid of Keuchel's contract, a prospect is going to be needed. Crochet for the future doesn’t hold a starting spot in the rotation. Capitalizing on his value to gain salary relief is something that needs to be done. Cole Sulser will be replacing Crochet’s spot in the pen. Sulser had a very good season with a 2.70 ERA, 2.98 FIP, and 3.45 SIERA. Sulser is 31 and has 4 years of control.
No. 4: Trade Craig Kimbrel to Philadelphia for Ethan Lindow and Símon Muzziotti
- The Craig Kimbrel experiment was a flat-out failure. Kimbrel had a 5.09 ERA, 4.56 FIP in 23IP. Many teams that are looking for a closer have expressed interest in Kimbrel. One of them is the Philadelphia Phillies. Getting one 45 FV prospect and a 40 FV is a decent return for Kimbrel.
SUMMARY: I think making these moves put this team over the top. Let’s see the projected lineup, rotation, and bullpen.
Projected Lineup:
- CF Luis Robert ($6M)
- 3B Yoan Moncada ($13.8M)
- C Yasmani Grandal ($18.25M)
- RF Michael Conforto ($21M)
- LF Eloy Jimenez ($7.3M)
- 1B Jose Abreu ($19.6M)
- SS Tim Anderson ($9.5M)
- DH Gavin Sheets ($575K)
- 2B Chris Taylor ($14M)
(113.95M)
Projected Bench: INF Romy Gonzalez ($575K), OF Adam Engel ($2.2M), C Reese McGuire ($575K), 3B Jake Burger ($575K)
Projected rotation
- Lucas Giolito ($7.9M)
- Pablo Lopez ($2.5M)
- Dylan Cease ($575K)
- Lance Lynn ($19M)
- Michael Kopech ($575K)
- Corey Kluber (4M)
(37.05M)
Projected Bullpen
- Liam Hendriks ($13M)
- Ryan Tepera ($6.5M)
- Aaron Bummer ($3.2M)
- Reynaldo Lopez ($2.75M)
- Richard Bleier ($2.5M)
- Jimmy Cordero (1.2M)
- Cole Sulser ($575K)
(29.725M)
TOTAL SALARY: 178.2M
- I went around 8 million over the budget, but this team is at the top of the league. I think you could remove Kluber (to stay around budget) and it would still be amazing.
- Filling the holes (2B, RF, SP) and adding depth (C, RP) this team is instantly better than last year’s.
- Making this plan was very interesting and I would like it if you would make any changes!
