PREAMBLE
This year is gonna be the year
That Jerry’s gonna close the purse
By now Getz should've somehow
Realized what he’s gotta do
I don't believe that any player
Wants to sign with our Chicago White Sox
Nightingale’s word is on the street
And I know Jerry’s behind it.
I'm sure we've heard it all before
But I still can’t believe this shit
I don't believe the Alderman
Will back the 78 stadium deal
And all managerial options drop out
Until we’re stuck with TLR’s confidant
There are many things that I would
Do differently
But I’m not the owner
So for Jerry
Getz’s gonna be the one that saves dough
Cause after all
(we) Hit the budget wall
I beg Jerry
You gotta sell the team that we love
You have the gall
To set this budget wall
I beg Jerry (I beg Jerry)
You gotta sell the team that we love (we love)
You gotta sell the team that we love (we love)
You gotta sell the team that we love (we love)
MANAGER
My preference from the first volley of names was AJ Ellis. Like I yearned for Dave Toub or any special teams coordinator for the Bears, I have a strong inclination towards backstops at the head of the bench. As he has bowed out, I will go with Will Venable. His OPS+ of 87 in 2015 would fit in a right field platoon for the 2025 White Sox.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
Write “tender,” “non-tender” or “rework/extend” after each player and their projected 2025 salaries. Feel free to offer explanation afterward if necessary.
- Andrew Vaughn: $6.4M – Non-Tender
- I am doing this for my own sanity. I have ridden this rollercoaster long enough to realize it is just the Little Dipper at KiddieLand.
- Nicky Lopez: $5.1M – Non-Tender
- This season would have been better had Bennetti been around to remind us that Lopez is a local kid from Naperville. I assume that was the reason Getz signed him in the first place.
- Garrett Crochet: $2.9M – Tender
- As I said in my rendition of Wonderwall, I would do things differently if I was Jerry. This year, that would start with Crochet. I would extend him, but budget and both the Yankees and Dodgers are clearly showing this post season that even the top teams are desperate for starters is the writing on the wall for Crochet.
- Gavin Sheets: $2.6M – Tender
- He is not great, but a veteran leader would not be the worst thing in the world. Plus, he is a lefty bat. Sure, Gallo would be preferrable as a flappable asset, but I don’t see that happening.
- Enyel De Los Santos: $1.7M – Non-Tender
- I … I can’t remember a single pitch he threw.
- Jimmy Lambert: $1.2M – Non-Tender
- Moving on.
- Justin Anderson: $1.1M –Tender
- IDK always need bullpen arms.
- Steven Wilson: $1M – Non-Tender
- Don’t need bullpen arms that bad.
- Matt Foster: $900K – Tender
- I like him.
CLUB OPTIONS
Write “pick up” or “decline” or “rework” after the option.
- Yoán Moncada: $25M ($5M buyout) – Decline
- Oh, the things that might have been. My biggest regret is that Brooks Boyers never released a Yo-Yo inspired Romper as a giveaway.
- Max Stassi: $7M ($500K buyout) – Decline
- Tough breaks continue for Stassi, though he may have dodged a bullet in 2024.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
Try to retain, extend qualifying offer, or let go?
- Michael Soroka (Made $3M in 2023) – Retain $4.75 Million over 2 years with performance bonuses that can trigger an additional $1 Million.
- He probably will get a chance to play on a better team (which can technically be said for everybody leaving the White Sox) but unless someone offers him a legitimate chance to start, his best option to play in October may be signing with the White Sox and pitching well enough to be traded at the deadline.
- Mike Clevinger ($3M) – Who?
- Chris Flexen ($1.75) – Let Go
- Took a swing and missed. No need to set the ball back on the tee for a second go.
FREE AGENTS
List three free-agent targets you’d pursue during the offseason, with a reasonable contract. A good example of a bad idea:
No. 1: Carson Kelly (1 year, $2.5 million + $2 million Mutual Option with 500k buyout).
Carson follows Venable to the southside as his veteran backstop and player lieutenant to instill the Venable way. I for one am hoping for more acronyms.
No. 2: Manuel Margot (1 year, $2.25 million).
A truly inspiring replacement for Robert (sorry I forgot to say spoiler alert).
No. 3: Harrison Bader (3 year, $25 million).
The real replacement for Robert. Going way over Spotrac Market Value to secure his services.
No. 4: Spencer Turnbull (2 year, $9.5 million).
As the market passes him by, he takes the offer from Getz, knowing that he could still find himself on a good team at the trade deadline
No. 5: Matthew Boyd (1 year, $5.5 million).
See Turnbull. Double dipping on former Tigers. Hoping for half a year from both of them to give some time for the young guns to settle in to the rotation at AAA.
No. 6: Blake Treinen (1 year, $4 million + No Trade Clause).
Blake gets first dibs as the closer. That is why you go from the best team in baseball to the worst. Again, broken record here, Blake will likely be traded. With a full no trade clause, he even gets to pick.
TRADES
No. 1: Trade Garrett Crochet and Luis Robert +5 mil to Orioles for Jackson Holliday, Ryan Mountcastle, Creed Willems, and Edgar Portes
Blowing the lot on one trade. The Orioles make their move to compete with the Yankees gaining the plus stuff starter in Crochet and buying the dip in Robert. It cost them their starting 1st baseman, young shortstop, and a couple of fliers. The Orioles have the middle infield locked down with Henderson and Westburg and have Mayo in the wings at 1st. That is why they are willing to take this gamble.
No. 2: Trade Andrew Benintendi + 15 mil to Mets for Jacob Reimer
The Mets missing piece is Benintendi. All jokes aside, the Mets have a lot of roster churn this offseason and can’t pass up a deal to get a nearly free year of Benintendi so Cohen and pony up for one of the top free agents, kicking the can to 2026 and 2027. Maybe the renaissance is real and the fresh start for everyone is good.
SUMMARY
Here is the full 40 man after all the moves:
| Relief Pitchers | $ | |
| Blake Treinen | CL | $ 4.00 |
| Justin Anderson | $ 1.10 | |
| Prelander Berroa | $ 0.80 | |
| Fraser Ellard | $ 0.80 | |
| Matt Foster | $ 0.90 | |
| Jordan Leasure | $ 0.80 | |
| Dominic Leone | $ 0.80 | |
| Ron Marinaccio | $ 0.80 | |
| Sammy Peralta | $ 0.80 | |
| Jesse Scholtens | $ 0.80 | |
| Jared Shuster | $ 0.80 | |
| Michael Soroka | $ 2.38 | |
| Gus Varland | $ 0.80 | |
| Starters | ||
| Spencer Turnbull | 1 | $ 4.75 |
| Matthew Boyd | 2 | $ 5.50 |
| Drew Thorpe | 3 | $ 0.80 |
| Davis Martin | 4 | $ 0.80 |
| Nick Nastrini | 5 | $ 0.80 |
| Ky Bush | $ 0.80 | |
| Sean Burke | $ 0.80 | |
| Jonathan Cannon | $ 0.80 | |
| Jake Eder | $ 0.80 | |
| Jairo Iriarte | $ 0.80 | |
| Catchers | ||
| Korey Lee | C | $ 0.80 |
| Carson Kelly | $ 2.50 | |
| Chuckie Robinson | $ 0.80 | |
| Infielders | ||
| Ryan Mountcastle | 1B | $ 6.00 |
| Brooks Baldwin | 2B | $ 0.80 |
| Jackson Holliday | SS | $ 0.80 |
| Bryan Ramos | 3B | $ 0.80 |
| Gavin Sheets | DH | $ 2.60 |
| Lenyn Sosa | $ 0.80 | |
| Miguel Vargas | $ 0.80 | |
| Jacob Amaya | $ 0.80 | |
| Braden Shewmake | $ 0.80 | |
| Outfielders | ||
| Harrison Bader | CF | $ 8.33 |
| Manuel Margot | LF | $ 2.25 |
| Dominic Fletcher | RF | $ 0.80 |
| Corey Julks | $ 0.80 | |
| Oscar Colás | $ 0.80 | |
| Zach DeLoach | $ 0.80 | |
| Yo | $ 5.00 | |
| Stassi | $ 0.50 | |
| Trade 1 | $ 5.50 | |
| Trade 2 | $ 15.00 | |
| Total | $ 90.31 |
For what I believe is the first time, I have not come close to the budget. That should make at least one person happy. It still was a fun exercise even though the end result is not inspiring. Step backs in most places aside from 1st base. Hopefully Holliday becomes who he could be and Brooks takes a step forward to solidify the middle infield. RF is still not settled and wont be until at least 2026. Hope everyone is ready for the bumpy ride next year!
