PREAMBLE
Well, it can't get any worse, can it? The team lost 121 games, attendance is crashing, and Jerry fiddles while the White Sox burn. If Jerry wants to see any improvement, then he must spend. And even if he spends up to the $113 million that Jim proposed, he is still way under last year's budget. So, I'm going to present a plan that comes near the $113 million number.
MANAGER
I don't know enough about the managers they are interviewing, so I won't give a specific name. It just needs to be someone from a winning organization who will hold the veterans accountable and be fair with the young guys.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYER
- Andrew Vaughn: $6.4- Tender. I know that's not a popular move, but we know he's good for about 20 homers, 80 RBI, and a league average bat. I'd rather spend money on a bigger bat(s) in the outfield.
- Nicky Lopez: $5.1M- Non-tender. That's a no-brainer.
- Garrett Crochet: $2.9M- There are two ways to go with him. I could see trying to trade him at the Winter Meetings, but only if you can get Jasson Dominguez or Roman Anthony. Figuring that the Yanks and Red Sox say no, then extend him- 5 years, $85M (or something like that)
- Gavin Sheets: $2.6M- Non-tender. Finally time to pull the plug.
- Enyel De Los Santos: $1.7M- Non-tender. Maybe bring him back for less later in the winter.
- Jimmy Lambert: $1.2M- Non-tender. Can't stay healthy.
- Justin Anderson: $1.1M- Non-tender. Not necessary with all the young guys available.
- Steven Wilson: $1M- Tender. He was good in San Diego. Still think he can be very effective.
- Matt Foster: $900K- Non-tender. Can't stay healthy.
CLUB OPTIONS
- Yoán Moncada: $25M ($5M buyout)
- Max Stassi: $7M ($500K buyout)
Buyout both. Moncada can still be a very good major leaguer if someone can figure out how to keep him healthy. But not here, and certainly not for $25M. Stassi is completely irrelevant.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Michael Soroka (Made $3M in 2023)
- Mike Clevinger ($3M)
- Chris Flexen ($1.75)
Of course, no qualifying offers. But I think one can be re-signed.
FREE AGENTS
The Sox need to get back to hitting more home runs, So two guys who accounted for 75HR in 2024 are at the top of the list.
- Anthony Santander- 4 years, $85M. Most are saying he'll get 4/$80M, so the Sox slightly overpay to get him. Powerful switch-hitter, who will be part of the corner outfield/DH mix. If he can put up numbers similar to last year, a great bargain.
- Tyler O'Neill- 3 years, $36M. Again, not sure if that's what he's worth, but maybe a slight overpay. Another power bat for the corner/DH mix.
- Tommy Kahnle- 2 years, $14M. Give him a chance to close, and a veteran to add to all the young arms in the pen.
- Mike Soroka- 1 year, $3M. Showed promise in the bullpen, should be willing to return to the Sox.
TRADES
None, unless they can get Dominguez or Anthony for Crochet. If that happens, then they don't sign Tyler O'Neill and they add a mid range pitcher like Michael Lorenzen for a veteran arm. Again, I'm guessing the Yanks and the Red Sox both say no.
SUMMARY
So, here's my 26-man roster with a starting lineup and the salaries:
Benintendi, lf/DH $17.1M If you throw out the Pedro Grifol regime, he's been good for the Sox.
Robert, cf $15M
O'Neill, lf/rf/DH $12M
Santander, rf/DH $21.25M
Vaughn, 1b $6M
6-9 can be interchangeable
Ramos/Vargas, 3b $1.6M
Montgomery/Baldwin/Sosa, 2b/ss $2.4M
Quero/Lee, c $1.6M
reserve outfielder- Colas/Fletcher/DeLoach $800K
ROTATION
Crochet, $3M
Cannon, $800K
Thorpe, $800K
Davis Martin, $800K
Iriarte/Burke/Nastrini/Bush/Eder, $800K
BULLPEN
Kahnle, $7M
Wilson, $1M
Soroka, $3M
Then 5 of Leasure/Berroa/Ellard/Shuster/McGough/Varland/Coffey/Pallette/any of the above 5th starters, $4M
Adding in the buyouts, that leaves a payroll of $105-110M
