PREAMBLE
I truly believe the 2027 is in jeopardy of being cancelled. Most owners will be trying to downsize their spending and generate as much revenue in 2026 as possible. With that said, because JR is who he is, the $90m that Jim decided on, is way too rich (pun intended) for Jerry in 2026. I'm coming in around $70m and allows Jerry to squeeze every last penny he can as 2028 is in question if he will be around at all. I think the Ishbia's are waiting to see how the CBA negotiations end up and may be a year or two away towards investing more money. The White Sox's only goal this year is to bypass the Twins in the standings. To think they will secure a playoff spot is hyperbolic. The kids have given some hope for future years, but they're still a long way from becoming who they will eventually be. I'm a firm believer in the sophomore slumps. Experienced Major League pitchers and hitters do remarkedly well in making adjustments after seeing what newbies are offering. With cheapness in mind, I have 10 players on the roster who will make the League minimum. ($820k). Getz may surprise us, but I really don't see a player on the Sox that other teams may be coveting. Being home-teamers, we usually over-estimate our player's values. Likewise, the Sox sales pitch to free agents is, "Sign with Us. You do well in the first half, you may get traded to a real contender". What other reason would a free agent sign here for?
I'd like to thank Jim for going to Google Forms. I was the one who tabulated the OPP recap the last few years and gave various summary data on how the Project entries tabulated. Can't wait to see what Jim is able to come up with.
COACHING STAFF
- Hitting coach: Donnie Ecker
- Pitching coach: Jeff Bajenaru
I don't know if the Sox annouced anything as I'm typing, but he would be my first choice. Kevin Long from Philly would also be a good hire if available. Milwaukee has two hitting coaches this year, Connor Dawson and Eric Theison. I liked the way they did their situational hitting.
Bajenaru was the pitching coach at Arizona for 14 years. He currently is a coach in college. If San Fran can do it, why not us?
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Mike Tauchman: Non-tender
- Steven Wilson: Non-tender
- Derek Hill: Non-tender
Tauchman could be a candidate, as he is from Palatine. However, because of injuries, I want someone who would be available the whole year.
CLUB OPTIONS
- Luis Robert Jr.: Exercise $20 million contract
- Martín Perez: Buy out for $1.5 million
Only because I think the Sox have tipped their hat on which way they are going.
FREE AGENTS
1. Cedric Mullins (1-year, $10m). I'm putting him in CF as his defense is very close to Roberts.
2. Ramon Laureano (1-year, $8m). He will be in RF as he is very good defensively with a strong arm. I have Roberts in LF. Still good defense, just not the arm that Laureano has.
3. Triston McKenzie (1-year, $2m). Now that Katz is gone, maybe Bannister can teach pitchers how to throw strikes. We also need innings. Of course, a big question is his injury history.
4. Devin Williams. (one-year, $10m). Another reclamation project for Bannister.
5. Pete Fairbanks (one year, $11m). I don't know if his club option has been picked up yet, so a trade may be needed. I'm assuming on how the Rays manage their money, that he'll be a free-agent.
6. Mike Yaztremski (one-year, $10m). Even though he's 35, I like his defense and his pop every so often.
7. Isah Kiner-Falefa (One-year, $9m). I'm bringing him in as infield security. In the long run, I think Montgomery will be a better third baseman than a shortstop. Hell, Elvis Andrus did good for a year. Because of the possible strike in 2027, I believe you will see a bunch of one-year contracts across baseball.
TRADES
No trades unless we have to for Pete Fairbanks. Something for Robert? He's the definition of insanity on what to do.
SUMMARY
c - Kyle Teel ($820k). Not convince he will hit for that much power.
1b - Lenyn Sosa ($2.044M). Best place to hide his defense
2b - Chase Meidroth ($820k). Love his spunk. Don't like slow, singles hitters.
3b - Miguel Vargas ($2.1m). Better at 1b. Can move when Montgomery slides over.
ss - Colston Montgomery ($820k). Great 2nd half. Keep cutting down on the strikeouts.
LF - Luis Robert ($20m). Hopefully, LF is less an injury risk. Above average arm for a leftfielder.
CF - Cedric Mullins ($10m). The more left-handed batters the better.
RF - Ramon Laureano ($8m). Defense and serviceable for playing a full season.
DH - Andrew Benintendi ($17.1m). Only because he's still on the roster.
SP - Shane Smith ($820k). Hoping he continues on his rise.
SP - Davis Martin ($1.117m). An enigma. Once I think he is good, he slides back. A trade possibility if he has a good first half.
SP - Triston McKenzie ($2m). If he realizes how good his stuff is... I want to see what he can do.
SP - Grant Taylor ($820k). Stop going back and forth. Throw him in the starting rotation.
RP - Jordan Leasure ($1.162m). Strong last month. When he arrived here, I thought he would be our closer. Maybe he still can.
RP - Fraser Ellard ($1.109m). One of three lefties in the pen. Any lefty that has a good first half is excellent trade bait. Strength in numbers.
RP - Mike Vasil ($1m). Just feel he is going to get better and better.
RP - Wikelman Gonzalez ($820k). The Crochet trade keeps looking better. Give Getz some credit.
RP - Devin Williams ($10m). Things go right, he could be a great setup man and even a very good closer.
RP - Branden Eisert ($820k). Another lefty to showcase.
RP - Tyler Gilbert ($820k). Sometimes good. Sometimes bad. Looking for more good things.
Closer - Pete Fairbanks ($11m). A trade may be needed, but until we develop a closer, he will fit in just fine.
Bench 1 - Edgar Quero ($820k). Although he could be starting as well, we may need to look for an experienced third catcher so we're not limited in moves if Quero and Teel start.
Bench 2 - Mike Yaztremski ($10m). A good defensive player who can actually hit.
Bench 3 - Isiah Kiner-Falefa ($9m). Montgomery is njury prone. Falefa is very good defensively.
Bench 4 - Brooks Baldwin ($820k). He's the modern day Leury Garcia. The good thing? He;'s not Leury!
