PREAMBLE
The Sox are once again mired in mediocrity. They need a more balanced lineup. They also need better defense. They're stuck with some guys. They won't do anything too flashy, but they can improve their defense, offense, and hope for some regression to the mean in a positive direction (shouldn't it be progression to the mean?).
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2022 salaries. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Lucas Giolito: $10.8M - Tender
- Dylan Cease: $5.3M - Tender
- Reynaldo López; $3.3M - Tender
- Adam Engel: $2.3M - Non - Tender
- Michael Kopech: $2.2M - Tender
- Kyle Crick: $1.5M - Non - Tender
- José Ruiz: $1M - Tender
- Danny Mendick: $1M - Tender
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Tim Anderson: $12.5M ($1M buyout) Pick up
- Josh Harrison: $5.625M ($1.5M buyout Decline
PLAYER OPTIONS
Write “exercised” or “takes buyout.” The question here is whether you think Pollock could do better than one year and $8 million on the open market. I’m filling it in with “exercised” unless you can provide a compelling argument against it.
- AJ Pollock: $13M ($5 million buyout) — EXERCISED, but miraculously opted out!
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?
- José Abreu (Made $18M in 2021) Let go
- Johnny Cueto ($4.2M) Let go
- Vince Velasquez ($3M) Let go
- Elvis Andrus ($14.25M) Let go
MANAGER
Hopefully Pedro is better.
FREE AGENTS
List three free-agent targets you’d pursue during the offseason, with a reasonable contract.
No. 1: Michael Conforto (one year, $13 million). Prove it deal. I'd love Nimmo, but they're not going to spend too big.
No. 2: Adam Frazier (one year, $5 million). Another guy you're hoping comes through on a prove it deal.
No. 3: Tucker Barnhart (one year, $3 million). Salary might be a little high here, but getting stronger defensively up the middle is a must. If Grandal repeats his 2022 then DFA him and just have strong defense behind the plate. With the rule changes that will be important.
No. 4: Jose Quintana (two years, $20 million). They need a lefty starter. Quintana should be fine. Once again, nothing too exciting.
No. 6: Billy Hamilton (one year, $1 million). Defensive replacement, pinch runner. Maybe Billy the Hitter returns.
TRADES
I don't think there'll be any fun trades.
SUMMARY
Boring, but I think this is a realistic opening day roster:
C: Grandal
1B: Vaughn/Sheets (this would actually be a good platoon, but Vaughn will have to play more against righties, so not a true platoon. I'm also assuming Eloy will get hurt at some point which would allow Sheets to DH some)
2B: Wong
SS: TA
3B: Moncada
LF: Conforto
CF: Robert
RF: Colas
DH: Eloy
Bench: Barnhart, Hamilton, Luery (ugh), Mendick
Rotation:
Cease
Lynn
Giolito
Kopech
Quintana
Bullpen: Hendriks, Bummer, ReyLo, Kelly, Graveman, Ruiz, and at some point Crotchet
I think this puts the Sox right at $190 million, but math isn't my strong suit. Could this team win the Central? Sure. Could they go 81-81 again? Absolutely. I just don't see the Sox making any major moves.
