PREAMBLE
Going into this offseason, I think there are 2 possibilities in terms of direction, both are probably stupid in reality for where the White Sox are at, but alas that is the bed we are dealt with as fans. I firmly believe to contend in 2024, it would require a massive overhaul with oversight from experienced MLB leadership, which the White Sox waved bye bye to when Getz was named GM without a serious search. So with that said, my offseason plan is mostly trying to make the best of a stupid situation.
Front Office: Josh Phegley Dir/Player Dev-he is currently doing this at Michigan..Getz Alma Mater
Coaching Staff: Dale Sveum Hitting/Justin Jirschele 1B-Sveum is the Grifol 15 Royals connection. Jirschele because I'm pretty sure his dad coached with Grifol in KC and I doubt the Sox get a budget for anyone better there.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Dylan Cease: $8.8M Tender
- Andrew Vaughn: $3.7M Tender
- Michael Kopech: $3.6M Tender
- Touki Toussaint: $1.7M Tender
- Trayce Thompson: $1.7M Tender Yup I went there, lets fing go!
- Garrett Crochet: $900K Tender
- Clint Frazier: $900K Non-Tender
- Matt Foster: $740K Non-Tender
CLUB OPTIONS
- Tim Anderson: $14M ($1M buyout) Pick UP
- Liam Hendriks: $15M ($15M buyout, paid $1.5M annually over next 10 years) Decline, sorry Liam but best of luck elsewhere. Ended up being a signing I didn't like at the time to be one of my favorite in team history.(I know FA and the White Sox usually looks poor so the pickings are slim for favorite in that category)
MUTUAL OPTIONS
- Mike Clevinger: $12M mutual option ($4 million buyout) Exercised. Not something I want but fully expect.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Yasmani Grandal (Made $18.25M in 2023) Bye
- Elvis Andrus ($3M) Resign Someone I think who has become Pedro guy with that stupid ass HR coat thing.
- Bryan Shaw ($720K) Resign Pedro guy, I assume
- José Ureña ($720K) Resign Just because
FREE AGENTS
No. 1: Johnny Cueto RHP (one year, $2,000,000). Too many connections for this not to happen once more, even though I doubt the Sox get 2022 Cueto results and more of the late career up and downs.
No. 2: Michael Taylor OF (two year, $14,000,000). Defense and speed are the main things with this pick as both seem to be a point of emphasis from White Sox brass.
No. 3: Whit Merrifield 2B/RF (two year, $15,000,000). Destiny wills this one, and rumors of it being something the team is interested in leaking already. At very least, it is what it is and maybe more than that, but my fear is this is the signing that ends up looking much higher in dollars to add bigger expectations to his plate. You know, the Soxy thing to do.
Non Roster Spring Training Invites/MiLB Deals: Danny Duffy LHP/Roenis Elias LHP/Joe Ross RHP/Adalberto Mondesi INF
Bannister/Grifol connections because "why not".
TRADES
No. 1: Jonathan Cannon RHP/Loidell Chapelli 2B/Adam Hackenberg C for Salvador Perez C. Desperate times call for desperate measures and total overpays for players that the manager will bank on to help "the culture". This will age poorly is my guess, but you can't be mad at what is expected.
No. 2: Shane Murphy LHP for Nick Avila RHP. Remember Nick Avila! The Rule 5 pick from last year? Well guess what he was pretty decent for the River Cats of Sacramento last year. Look it up, solid numbers. So why not bring him back in a Gregory Santos type deal to help the bullpen competition...they are going to need it.
SUMMARY
Cease RHP/Clevinger RHP/Kopech RHP/Nastrini RHP/Cueto RHP
Crochet LHP/Leasure RHP/Santos RHP/Bummer LHP/Toussaint RHP/Patino RHP/Urena RHP/Speas RHP
Anderson SS
Benintendi LF
Robert Jr. CF
Jimenez DH
Perez C
Vaughn 1B
Moncada 3B
Merrifield 2B
Taylor RF
Lee C/Thompson OF/Andrus INF/Sheets 1B
I understand this is mostly for us fans to show what We would do, but I'm sick of being disappointed by this team, so using what has been said by brass, Jerry logic(constraints) and presumably the reason why Getz was hired(his awesome player dev that impressed Jerry like never before) I can only assume this the way. Nick Nastrini will be touted as the next big thing so for sure force him in the rotation opening day. Jordan Leasure might provide something sooner but who knows how bullpen arms sustain themselves. Overall this is me accepting the White Sox being exactly who I think they will be and also hoping this lazy process will at least entertain in the worst ways. But who knows, maybe Cease is Cy Cease again...maybe Clevinger isn't the most unlikable player I've witnessed in a while...maybe Kopech finally figures it out? BAM! thats like 3 good starters right there? What if Crochet becomes a pitcher that can pitch a full season? What if this masterclass of a Bullpen made up of random dudes becomes the next trend? BAM! thats like "innovative" not lazy! Maybe that lineup all Bounces back into their previous forms, some players (Sal Perez) even turn back the clocks to 2014. NEAT HUH!?!?!
