PREAMBLE
2024 will be a re-building year. Using Doug Buffone’s comment about George Halas; the White Sox hand out nickels like they’re manhole covers! The only way to move this team closer to respectability is by improving defense (which should marginally improve pitching), add team speed and change that over-used word – culture! Clear the deck. I’m all for starting over again and NO ONE on this roster should be classified as untouchable. As we wait for the troops to arrive in 2025 or 2026, I will become Jerry Reinsdorf’s new best friend, by saving him LOTS of money (this year) and by starting to build a good foundation for 2025-2026. The $40-$50 million not spent this year MUST be used in 2025/2026 to bring in a high price free agent (i.e., Pete Alonzo, Juan Soto) to give the lineup a bopper that installs some fear. Unfortunately, when it comes to Free Agents, do they even want to come to the Southside? Also in 2025/2026, I’m expecting Brian Ramos to win the 3rd base job. This frees up Moncada and Montgomery (even Vaughn if Alonzo signs) for trade to bring in established starting pitching.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2024 salaries. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Dylan Cease: $8.8M - Tender
- Andrew Vaughn: $3.7M - Tender
- Michael Kopech: $3.6M - Tender
- Touki Toussaint: $1.7M - Tender
- Trayce Thompson: $1.7M – Non-tender
- Garrett Crochet: $900K - Tender
- Clint Frazier: $900K – Non-tender
- Matt Foster: $740K – Non-tender
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Tim Anderson: $14M ($1M buyout) – Decline
- Liam Hendriks: $15M ($15M buyout, paid $1.5M annually over next 10 years) – Decline. Seems cruel, but give Hendriks an opportunity to sign on with a contender and enjoy life further.
MUTUAL OPTIONS
Write “exercised” or “takes buyout.”
- Mike Clevinger: $12M mutual option ($4 million buyout) - Buyout
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?
- Yasmani Grandal (Made $18.25M in 2023) – Let go
- Elvis Andrus ($3M) –Let go
- Bryan Shaw ($720K) – Let go
- José Ureña ($720K) – Let go
FREE AGENTS
Free Agent #1 – Martin Perez (SP). We need an innings eater for 2024. Since this is a non-contending year, he doesn’t have to be stellar. Although he pitched in 35 games in 2023, he only started in 20. I’m sure he is itching to be a starter again. $11m.
Free Agent #2 – Michael Taylor (OF). Just like everywhere else he has been, he could start a lot, or he could be a defensive replacement for all three outfield positions. $8m
TRADES (median trade values in parenthesis)
Trade #1 – Dylan Cease (50.5) to the Reds for Matt McLain – SS (37.9) and Jake Fraley - RF (14.7). Even the Trade Simulator rates this out to be good for both teams. The Reds need pitching, and they have overflows in both the infield and outfield. Even if India gets traded. This trade plugs two holes – SS with speed and good defense and RF with above average speed with near average defense, although better than Gavin Sheets. Fraley also bats left-handed. Even with Cease, where are the Sox going the next two years? Total $3.22m (McLain $0.72m and Fraley $2.5m)
Trade #2 – Lenyn Sosa (1.6) to the Tigers for Carson Kelly – C (0). Good defensive catcher with an above average arm. 29 years old and can hold his own until Quero is ready. Free agent in 2025. $5m.
Trade #3 – Oscar Colas (11.8) to the Marlins for Jon Berti – 2B (11.4). Speed and above average defense. Free agent 2026. $8m.
SUMMARY
The Sox were 14th in MLB in payroll for 2023. They do spend money, just not correctly. Because we’re not going to win anything, we’re going cheap in 2024, saving money to be spent when the contending year(s) come forth. The goal is to increase team speed and improve on the defense in 2024. We’re also trying to obtain players that can be part of the foundation for when the Sox are contenders again.
After 2024, I don’t want ANY pitcher on the staff that issues a high number of walks. The Sox already are near the MLB top in walks allowed by their pitching staff, how much worse can it get? And why does it matter in a non-contending year? Let’s get younger and not only give the kids a chance (Nastrini, Burke, Eder, Schultz), but also pitchers that the jury is still out on (i.e., Kopech, Martin, Crochet, Lambert). Davis Martin may be available come the Fall of 2024. The listed pitching staff has many inter-changeable parts where many players can start and or relieve. Let’s see who wants to be a starter! Hoping Bannister brings his magic. Every pitcher on the Sox regressed in 2023. Why is Adam Katz back as pitching coach? Force Getz to prove to us how well he developed the farm system. After a year of testing, we’ll have a better idea on what we need to contend. We will have saved money to spend and a few marketable players to offer in trades. Right now, we have no idea what we have; we only know where we’ll finish.
With a 2024 payroll of $139m (wiggle room to increase if needed), I’ve made Jerry VERY happy. We all know it’s not Hahn, Kenny or even Getz. Jerry is who needs to be happy! Because attendance sank so low in 2023, he’ll be even happier with a small payroll.
1 C Carson Kelly $5.0
2 1b Andrew Vaughn $3.7
3 2b Jon Berti $8.0
4 3b Yoan Moncada $24.8
5 SS Matt McLain $0.72
6 LF Andrew Benintendi $17.1
7 CF Luis Robert $12.5
8 RF Jake Fraley $2.5
9 DH Eloy Jimenez $13.833
10 SP1 Martin Perez (L) $11.0
11 SP2 Michael Kopech (R) $3.6
12 SP3 Touki Tossaint (R) $1.7
13 SP4 Garret Crochet (L) $0.9
14 SP5 Nick Nastrini (R) $0.72
15 Closer Gregory Santos (R) $0.72
16 RP1 Aaron Bummer (L) $5.5
17 RP2 Jimmy Lambert (R) $0.72
18 RP3 Tanner Banks (L) $0.72
19 RP4 Jesse Scholtens (R) $0.72
20 RP5 Jake Eder (L) $0.72
21 RP6 Sean Burke (R) $0.72
22 INF – Bench Romy Gonzalez (R) $0.77
23 OF – Bench Michael Taylor (R) $8.0
24 C – Bench Carlos Perez (R) $0.72
25 Bench Bryan Ramos (R) $0.72
26 Bench Gavin Sheets (L) $0.72
ADDITIONAL MONEY allocated
Tim Anderson $1.0
Liam Hendriks $1.5
Mike Clevenger $4.0
Leury Garcia $5.5
$138.83 (would have ranked 18th in 2023)
MINORS (Trade Values)
Hitters - Colson Montgomery (59.1), Wilfred Veras (8.2), Terrell Tatum (4.5)
Pitchers - Noah Schultz (21.8), Jonathan Stiever (2.4), Christian Mena (6.3), Jonathan Cannon (5.7),
Payton Pallette (5.7), Matthew Thompson (5.4)
BATTING ORDER
1. Matt McLain (.357 OBP)
2. A. Benintendi (14.3% k rate)
3. Luis Robert
4. Eloy Jimenez
5. Andrew Vaughn
6. Jake Fraley
7. Yoan Moncada
8. Carson Kelly
9. Jon Berti (.344 OBP)
