2022 as a season was a dumpster fire. Years from now we will still be talking about Tony falling asleep during a game, and walking a batter with a 1-2 count. Hopefully we can get that bad taste out of our mouth with a turn around season in 2023. I think the Sox will essentially run it back with the same roster, but actually try to get more left handed and subtract money from the bullpen.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- 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
I love Engel, but his health and bat catered this last season. Ruiz always gives me anxiety when he pitches, but we need guys to come in when we are up many runs and fill innings.
CLUB OPTIONS
- Tim Anderson: $12.5M ($1M buyout) – PICK UP
- Josh Harrison: $5.625M ($1.5M buyout – DECLINE
PLAYER OPTIONS
- AJ Pollock: $13M ($5 million buyout) — EXERCISED
Harrison is a great guy and plays stellar defense, but this team needs more lefty bats. Dream scenario would be Pollock doesn't exercise his player option, but no chance that will happen.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- 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
One day Abreu will have a statue outside of the stadium, but unfortunately he doesn't have a spot on this team with Vaughn playing 1st base and Eloy at DH.
MANAGER
I'm a meh on Grifol at the moment. Ecstatic that they chose a guy who has no previous ties to the team, and that he's purely not Tony LaRussa. Not crazy about the idea of grabbing someone from the Royals, who didn't get the job after they fired their manager. Have enjoyed what I have heard about him though, and hopefully he can bring some new ideas to this club.
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Kolton Wong (Two Years, $20,000,000).
This seams like a perfect fit for the team. A lefty power bat, who can play a decent second base. He had a down year defensively, but I still like him to bounce back and have a great year with a contending team.
No. 2: Michael Conforto (One Year, $12,000,000 with a second year club option).
I would love for the Sox to get Ninmo. That is just not happening though. Mets or someone other big club will outbid them. Conforto is a great backup plan. Gives us the lefty outfield bat that the Sox have needed for what feels like forever, and doesn't have to break the bank.
No. 2: Rich Hill (One Year, $5,000,000).
Sox are strapped for cash but need one more starter. I would love for someone like Stripling or Bassitt, but I don't think the Sox end up spending the money. Especially with Pepiot, Martin, and Crochet available to get some starts as well.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade Liam Hendriks to The Dodgers for Ryan Pepiot.
Sox are spending a ludicrous amount on their bullpen. I love Hendriks, but they can't afford to have him on the team. Dodgers need a closer, and Sox need pitching depth. Make it happen.
SUMMARY
Lineup:
- Tim Anderson – SS
- Kolton Wong – 2B
- Andrew Vaughn – 1B
- Eloy Jimenez – DH
- Luis Robert – C
- Michael Conforto – RF
- Yoan Moncada – 3B
- Yasmani Grandal – C
- AJ Pollock – LF (eventually Colas comes up and they platoon)
Bench:
- Leury Garcia - Would literally take a bag of chips for this bum, but he somehow will be playing for the Sox till I'm dead
- Danny Mendick
- Seby Zavala
- Gavin Sheets
Rotation:
- Dylan Cease
- Lance Lynn
- Lucas Giolito
- Michael Kopech
- Rich Hill/Ryan Pepiot/Garret Crochet
Bullpen:
- Reynaldo Lopez - Closer
- Kendall Graveman
- Aaron Bummer
- Joe Kelly
- Garrett Crochet
- Jake Diekman
- Jimmy Lambert
- Jose Ruiz
