Joe Cowley of the Chicago Sun-Times writes that Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye, and Tadahito Iguchi can all become free agents after 2008. He knows that Buehrle, at least, has not negotiated with the Sox about an extension. It seems unlikely Dye or Iguchi have either. Juan Uribe could be cut loose as well; the team has a $5MM option on him.
The interesting thing about the 2008 Sox is that they can’t go completely young. Jim Thome will make $14MM. Konerko will make $12MM. Vazquez, $11.5MM. Garland, $12MM. Contreras, $10MM. Pierzynski, $5.5MM. Crede, at least $6MM and probably more. That’s a good $70-75MM locked up with seven players. I don’t anticipate a fire sale.
Unless Kenny Williams makes another brilliant signing reminiscent of Dye, he’ll have three below average offensive outfielders. Perhaps he would make a big splash with Adam Dunn, Barry Bonds, Torii Hunter, or even Ichiro.
I’m actually not concerned for their rotation. I think they’ve got solid depth for ’08.
UPDATE: Reader Mark S. writes in with a couple of good points I missed:
Remember, half of Thome’s salary is still being paid by Philadelphia, so while he may be owed $14 million, I believe the White Sox are only paying $8 million of it.
Interesting how you didn’t mention any possibility of setting themselves up for signing ARod, next season, which has been mentioned by Scott Miller of cbssportsline.
