PREAMBLE
The youth movement is in full motion under the Getz/Venable regime and this resulted in a 19-win improvement in 2025. The goal for the next year or so would be to climb closer to the .500 mark, with an expectation to start competing around 2027-2028. This off-season will see some more small and short contracts to veterans, as well as some trades in an otherwise quiet winter.
COACHING STAFF
- Hitting coach: Derek Shomon - Already Hired
- Pitching coach: Zach Bove - Already Hired
I trust the hires until proven otherwise. Just want to continuing seeing deep counts/walks and better situational hitting from the position players and better command from the pitching staff.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Mike Tauchman: Tender
- Steven Wilson: Tender
- Derek Hill: Non-tender
Injuries aside, Tauchman to me is a no-brainer to keep on this team. Play him in a platoon role for 80-100 games while he continues to be a great veteran locker room presence and role model in the community. Wilson had a fluke 2024 season but he's great for low-leverage middle relief, easy keep. Derek Hill is okay but never showed enough in a small sample-size to bring back even as a 5th outfielder.
CLUB OPTIONS
- Luis Robert Jr.: Exercise $20 million contract
- Martín Perez: Buy out for $1.5 million
Robert's option was already exercised but everyone knew this would happen and I'm totally okay with that. Perez can return for less unless someone overpays for him. Pitched well when he was healthy.
FREE AGENTS
1. 1B - Rhys Hoskins (2 years, $24mil AAV): Rumors have linked him to the Sox, and while I'd rather have Josh Naylor, I think that's a pipe dream at this point. Can hit 30 HR's when healthy and it helps that he's 6'3 so the guys around the infield can have a big target to throw to. 2.2 WAR per 162 game average.
2. OF - Randal Grichuk (1 year, $7.5mil AAV): This is your platoon partner for Tauchman. I debated on Yastrzemski or Kepler for this spot, but only if I non-tendered Tauchman. Right-handed pop that can play all 3 OF spots, he can turn into a trade deadline piece which has become the norm for him as of the last few years.
3. SP - Martin Perez (1 year, $5mil AAV): He's baaaaaaack. Middle of the rotation guy who was a positive mentor for the younger guys in the rotation. No qualms here.
4. RP - Jordan Romano (1 year, $5mil AAV): He has completely fallen off the past 2 years but the stuff is still there, which makes him a great buy-low bounce-back candidate. Has lots of closing experience which can come in handy if Venable decides to go the committee route. Another deadline piece of he pitches well enough.
TRADES
UTIL - Lenyn Sosa to Tampa Bay for UTIL - Richie Palacios. If any team can turn Lenyn Sosa into a defensive stalwart with decent plate discipline, then Tampa is that team. The Rays currently have no RH pop for their infield (Yandy Diaz is a 1B/3B by trade but has mostly DH'd the past few years) and Palacios is stuck in an OF conundrum with Chandler Simpson, Johnny Deluca, Josh Lowe, Christopher Morel, and Jake Magnum. While it didn't work out for the other Palacios brother here, Richie provides much more value due to his ability to play all over the OF and 2B. He's a 10HR, 20SB player with a strong BB/K average over a 162 game average. He can also get regular playing time if Beni and/or Robert are moved next summer.
SP - Jonathan Cannon to Atlanta for SP - Alek Manoah. Change-of-scenery trade for Cannon who went to school in Georgia. While Manoah didn't pitch any games with Atlanta, the Sox have nothing to lose with bringing him in as a 5th starter or first call-up from Charlotte.
SUMMARY
Areas of need have been "filled" via FA or Trade while allowing position battles to take place amongst the young guys.
C - Kyle Teel/Edgar Quero
1B - Rhys Hoskins
2B - Chase Meidroth
3B - Miguel Vargas
SS - Colson Montgomery
LF - Andrew Benintendi
CF - Luis Robert Jr.
RF - Tauchman/Grichuk
DH - Quero/Teel
Bench - Richie Palacios
Bench - Curtis Mead
Bench - Tauchman/Grichuk
Bench - Brooks Baldwin
Bryan Ramos, Tim Elko, Korey Lee (if not claimed once sent down since I believe he's out of options), and Ben Cowles will be the first call-ups as the season goes on.
SP - Shane Smith
SP - Sean Burke
SP - Martin Perez
SP - Davis Martin
SP - Grant Taylor/Wikelman Gonzalez/Drew Thorpe (if healthy)/Yeondrys Gomez/Alek Manoah
RP - Mike Vasil
RP - Steven Wilson
RP - Jordan Leasure
RP - Jordan Romano
RP - Tyler Gilbert
RP - Brandon Eisert
RP - Bryan Hudson
RP - Whoever doesn't become SP5 out of Taylor, Gonzalez, and Gomez.
Noah Schultz will eventually make his debut, Thorpe and Berroa will return once healthy, and Iriarte, Ellard, and Booser could all see time as in-season call-ups.
