After a fourth place finish in the AL Central, the White Sox will supplement their bullpen, and perhaps add reinforcements at left field, designated hitter, catcher, and in the rotation.
Guaranteed Contracts
- Jose Abreu, 1B: $51MM through 2019
- John Danks, SP: $28.5MM through 2016
- Chris Sale, SP: $28.15MM through 2017
- Jose Quintana, SP: $25.65MM through 2018
- Alexei Ramirez, SS: $11MM through 2015
- Jeff Keppinger, IF: $4.5MM through 2015 (released in May 2014)
- Scott Downs, RP: $250K buyout (released in July 2014)
Arbitration Eligible Players (service time in parentheses; projections via Matt Swartz)
- Ronald Belisario, RP (4.151): $3.9MM projected salary
- Tyler Flowers, C (3.148): $2.1MM
- Dayan Viciedo, RF/LF (3.123): $4.4MM
- Hector Noesi, SP (3.006): $1.9MM
- Nate Jones, RP (3.000): $600K
- Javy Guerra*, RP (2.133, Super Two): $1.3MM
- Non-tender candidates: Belisario, Viciedo
Contract Options
- Felipe Paulino, SP: $4MM club option with a $250K buyout
Free Agents
- Matt Lindstrom, Paul Konerko (retiring)
It was another summer of trading away veterans for the White Sox, as GM Rick Hahn dealt Gordon Beckham, Alejandro De Aza, and Adam Dunn in a span of 11 days at the end of August. The exact return on Beckham won’t be determined until the offseason, but Hahn did acquire a solid pitching prospect for Dunn in Nolan Sanburn.
It was an ugly campaign, but the 2014 season did provide Chicago clarity at several key positions. Most importantly, 2013 signing Jose Abreu looks like a huge bargain after posting MVP-caliber numbers in his rookie MLB season. Also, center fielder Adam Eaton established himself with a quality year worth 2.8 wins above replacement.
While the player acquired alongside Eaton from Arizona, Matt Davidson, remained in Triple-A and took a step backward, the Sox still found a solid stopgap at the hot corner in 27-year-old Conor Gillaspie. Gillaspie fits on the strong side of a platoon, and could match up with Marcus Semien again.
Avisail Garcia is the incumbent in right field after missing much of 2014 due to a shoulder injury. Just 23, Garcia could take a leap forward in 2015. Tyler Flowers had a passable season as the starting catcher, but struck out a ton and could easily see his average back around the Mendoza line in 2015. The Sox could pony up for Russell Martin, but Hahn should be proactive in attempting to find a quality backstop via trade. The Yankees are probably the team with the most depth at the position, in terms of long-term catchers.
25-year-old Dayan Viciedo declined to a .231/.281/.405 line, and does not look like a long-term piece for Chicago. He could be non-tendered or traded. Should Hahn turn to the free agent market to fill left field, options include Melky Cabrera, Nelson Cruz, and Mike Morse. Nori Aoki, Michael Cuddyer, Torii Hunter, and Nick Markakis haven’t generally played the position, but could be considered. The Rays’ Matt Joyce could be a trade option, and the Dodgers’ outfield surplus remains unresolved. The most intriguing choice would be young Cuban corner outfielder Yasmany Tomas, with whom Abreu is familiar. The problem is that Abreu’s success reset the Cuban market such that Tomas’ price tag could be in the $100MM range. The White Sox have not been connected to Tomas in any notable way thus far.
The White Sox have finally gotten Adam Dunn off the books, and in August Bruce Levine of CBSChicago.com wrote that stealing Victor Martinez away from the Tigers tops Chicago’s offseason wish list. The Sox fell just short of signing Martinez four years ago, leading to their deal with Dunn. Martinez, who had a monster offensive 2014 season few saw coming, turns 36 in December and now spends the majority of his time as a designated hitter. Martinez would represent a fairly risky win-now signing for the Sox, but the switch-hitter would make a fantastic tandem with Abreu in 2015 as he did with Miguel Cabrera in Detroit. The Carlos Beltran deal should be Martinez’s floor, and the Sox would have to forfeit their second-round draft pick.
Trades for Alexei Ramirez could be entertained, though he still has value to the White Sox. He’s under contract for 2015 and has a club option for ’16, and could make a nice bridge to hopeful shortstop of the future Tim Anderson. Anderson, the team’s first-round pick in 2013, missed nearly two months with a broken wrist but still received a surprise promotion to Double-A. With Beckham gone, second base next figures to be a competition, with Micah Johnson, Marcus Semien, and Carlos Sanchez in the mix.
In the rotation, Chris Sale’s dominance continued and Jose Quintana had a quietly excellent campaign. John Danks ate innings at the back end, if nothing else. Hector Noesi, claimed off waivers from the Rangers in April, posted a 4.43 ERA in 27 starts for the Sox. The team is missing at least one more above average starting pitcher, and they could have it soon in 2014 first-round pick Carlos Rodon. Rodon finished the season at Triple-A and has a chance to break camp in 2015 in the big league rotation.
The Paulino experiment was a bust, though the Sox spent very little on him. To reduce the risk of dipping heavily into the team’s No. 6-8 starters, the Sox should at least add a project arm or two for depth.
The White Sox bullpen struggled in 2014, putting up a 4.28 ERA that was second-to-last in the American League. Jake Petricka and Zach Putnam filled the ninth inning void after the offseason trade of Addison Reed, injuries to Matt Lindstrom and Nate Jones, and ineffectiveness from Ronald Belisario (a likely non-tender candidate). Petricka, Putnam, and Daniel Webb were able to keep the ball on the ground, but failed to miss bats. Jones underwent Tommy John surgery in July, so he’s a non-factor for 2015 even if the Sox tender him a contract. The bullpen is a clear area of upgrade for Hahn, who told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin in September, “The overall goal of the bullpen is going to be to acquire multiple options, potentially from the right and left side … many of which could be end-game options for us.” Even if Chicago decides to pass on top free agent reliever David Robertson, the market offers a wide array of quality options.
Hahn used the word “aggressive” multiple times regarding the upcoming offseason, as reported by MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. An aggressive approach makes sense, with Abreu, Sale, and Quintana currently so affordable. The Sox have about $46MM in contract commitments for 2015, plus maybe another $6MM if they retain Flowers, Noesi, Jones, and Guerra. Hahn could have around $40MM to play with in 2015 salaries without raising payroll, enough to add multiple significant free agents.
Though 2014 didn’t go as planned, the Sox received star-caliber performances from Abreu, Sale, and Quintana and quality seasons from Eaton and Gillaspie. There seems to be much offseason work to do to vault this team into contention, with the wish list including a retooled bullpen, an effective bat or two, and added rotation depth.
Note: there is some question as to Javy Guerra’s official service time. MLB’s calculation of 2.133 would make him a likely Super Two player, but his contract being selected (at least publicly) on May 20th suggests 2.128, which would fall short.
Some money and a core to spend it around.
There is definitely some pieces that Hahn wants to add, now can he get it done?
Team to watch in 2015
I actually think they could be similar to this year’s Brewers. Make a little bit of noise in FA and get some things to go right to contend. They have enough good core players where they can make a big turnaround in one off-season.
I hope so, because this season I’d tune the game in and think my TV was stuck on mute for 2 innings because Hawk had gone dormant. He’d come out of the funk though, and mumble about Yaz and all would be right with the world.
I wonder if Chris Sale will make a recruiting call to Victor Martinez.
I thought of that as well. I think V-Mart’s buddy Avi should tag along though.
Why not bring in Prince Fielder too, and have a big group hug.
I think catcher is one of the last places they need to look. Flowers is among the best defensive catchers/framers in the league and won’t kill you as an 8 or 9 hitter.
Of course non-tender Viciedo, Noesi too. Try to trade Danks. Sign McCarthy, stay in on the bigger SPs but don’t overpay. Bullpen was a giant hole, go hard after Andrew Miller and Gregerson. Try to get Panda, a power lefty DH bat not named Adam Dunn (Laroche anyone?), and preferably a solid LF too like Markakis.
I wouldn’t break the bank on the 35+ year olds like Cruz and VMart where you MIGHT get 2 good years, but will probably end up saddled with 3 terrible ones where the guy is injured, suspended, terrible or all three.
I saw someone toss out Matt Kemp’s name. He’s been an injury risk, but had a nice stretch for the Dodgers. I’d certainly rather see them add some late 20’s-early 30’s aged players to the younger core and keep. Building the system.
Matt Kemp if healthy would be a monster threesome with Jose and Avi, but he would have to stay healthy and the Dodgers would have to pick up a huge chunk of that enormous contract.
That is a massive contract, and the Dodgers would have to eat some of it for sure, and I’m not sure the Sox have the pieces to deal. Kemp probably makes more sense for Boston.
Boston would have to move an outfielder or two for Kemp to fit in. They like the Dodgers have quite a few.
What about dealing for Cespedes in a three way with Boston and LA?
In reality though, if they make a big move for a bat it needs to be for a lefty
I too have heard some rumors regarding Matt Kemp. Dodgers are going to have to move a few outfielders. I would be interested to see if they would be willing to trade Pederson.
I’ve thought about Kemp myself, but that was around the Trade Deadline. His price has certainly gone up since then. I wouldn’t hate seeing him in the middle of the lineup but I’m scared of what the Sox might have to give up even if they take on a lot of contract. And of course there’s the injury concerns. I’d love Tulo too but have the same reservations, though his contract is far more palatable.
If Tulo is moved CO will want Rodon. I’d honestly rather spend the cash in free agency.
Rodon can’t be traded — hasn’t been a year since his signing.
It’s called being a ptbnl (Player To Be Named Later)
A PTBNL has to be named within 6 months. So this scenario could not happen until January.
and they’re unlikely to trade 6 years of cheap Rodon — even for Tulo.
Cargo is more getable than Tulo. Quintana for cargo. Straight up. With the sox taking back his contract.
haha.. or wait.. you are serious? Trade a guy in Quintana who is a great pitcher, innings eater, and with a great contract, for a OF guy with contract that is bloated at the end and who may not be ready for the beginning of the season due to a knee injury or all things? PASS. Sox hopefully have learned by now not to have such risky contracts for their club.
Non-tender Noesi? Not happening. He’s a solid back-end of the rotation guy, and potentially has a Freddy Garcia-esque impact on the Sox. He really did well enough when he came to the Sox.
Aside for I think 2-3 games Noesi did really well IMO. Almost every start was at least 6 innings and 3 ER or less. When you are a team in the AL you should be able to scrap together 4 runs, and many times the Sox did not.
Do you think a Micah Johnson trade (package him and another prospect) for a catching prospect can happen this winter? The Sox have Semien who can play 2B full time (Carlos Sanchez is more of a bench player). Gary Sanchez comes to mind, since the Yankees might move a catcher this winter.
No way do I trade Micah Johnson straight up for Gary Sanchez let alone package him. M.J. to me is someone I do not move. Also, I don’t feel we need a catcher as Tyler Flowers has earned the opportunity to start next year.
In what world did Tyler flower earn anything except for being the worst case scenario starting catcher next year? Yeah sure he hit 15 home runs but a sub .300 Obp. And sub .700 ops all while hitting a whopping .240. Yeah sure he was worth 1.8 war (according to fan graphs) but that’s mainly from his defense and his surprisingly roughly 30% caught stealing rate. He does not deserve a starting position. Does he deserve a chance to compete for a shot to possibly start? Sure. But only if all other avenues are exhausted.
I get what you are saying. We want a better catcher than Tyler. Here is the problem and that is that there are not a lot of catchers out there that will be readily available that are going to out produce Flowers next year. I do highly believe in trying to find that back stop who will be the answer for the next 5+ years. I think we have the opportunity to improve in a lot of areas that are more glaring than C. We need that C of the future I agree there. So how do we acquire this?
To be fair, Gary Sanchez wouldn’t be any safer to start. Austin Romine or JR Murphy could probably be more reliable to start, and could be had for much less than Gary “Blocked by McCann” Sanchez.
Flowers is gone if it were up to me. Id rather see Nieto and Phegley at Catcher. Nieto intrigues me, and has shown something with the bat that Flowers does not: Patience and the ability to hit to opposite field. I think with more playing time Nieto gets better, and his is a switch hitter
I wouldn’t trade Johnson, although I am not high on him at all but I would try to get Gary Sanchez. I would also shop Quintana around, preferably to the Dodgers for Urias and Seager.
Why on earth would you shop Quintana? With him Sale and Rodon (potentially) next season Danks is way more likely to get shopped.
The return wiloukd be massive and you would be able to fill multiple holes on the roster.
The Sox are not trading anyone that makes them competitive, they cannot
afford to, especially after the Reed for Davidson debacle (20 blown saves and a guy who cannot stop swinging) .These are not the Cubs where you can sell those fans a bill
of goods and let them watch a team stink it up for a few seasons before
getting better. Do that on the south side and you will really have an empty stadium. There is also no guarantee with anyone you get for Quintana will pan out or fills holes in the roster, where as you know who you are giving up. Quintana is a lefty stud and threw 200 innings on top of it all. So where are those innings going to come from with him gone? Danks? No thanks.. Danks is likely to go, as to who takes him, who knows, but you always keep quality pitchers that are on your major league roster, Especially for the control you have over him. Sale, Quintana, and Rodon are going no where. Those are your three lefties ( a rare commodity) hopefully for about 5-7 seasons.
Addison Reed had his troubles too, there’s a shot that he’s not the DBacks closer next year. So that trade was kind of a wash for both sides.
Trading Quintana, could bring ‘multiple’ ML ready prospects to the South Side. There are holes in the outfield, third base and they could use a RHP. Quintana could bring back prospects who could fill those holes as soon as next year and the next decade.
The Sox need to win now, or at least be competitive every season, not in a decade. This is not the Cubs fan base and you are not convincing Sox fans to wait 3-4 years. Even if you get players ready now, you STILL lose a guy that has eaten 200 IP, has been pretty good doing it, and who exactly replaces him? Rodon? Great, you still have the unknown of if Rodon really can be as good as Quintana, and also you still have spots 4 and 5 as ‘what ifs’ or worse yet, Danks still being around, Which means you have a rotation like last season. Quintana is not bringing you anyone you could not get via free agency at this point. Finally for a team that does not want to give away good players, free agency, especially this season, is the better way to go.
No it’s not, that’s just as risky and if a player doesn’t pan out, you’ll have a bad contract stuck on your hands that hinders you from making moves down the line and you’ll loose draft picks which last time I checked is a highly valuable commodity.
And you can find another guy to eat 200IP for you easily. Who knows Carroll, Bassitt or god forbid Erik Johnson can hold down the fort in the rotation till guys like Danish, Montas, Martinez and Adams are ready. Montas should be called up some point next year and Danish will be a September call up based on how fast he has risen through the system.
Pitching is the most overvalued commodity in baseball, of I am Rick Hahn I am trying to exploit the market in my favor.
I think a change of scenery trade that would make sense for both teams would be Dayan Viciedo for Dominic Brown. The Phillies have 5 left handed hitting outfielders and the Sox could use a lefty at dh. They both have 3 years of arbitration left, both have underachieved and both are represented by Scott Boras. You can’t get more equal than that.
If Ramirez is dealt what kind of return comes back to Chicago?
Either a low risk medium reward low level pitching prospect. Or a high risk his reward low
Lever pitching prospect. Basically any pitching prospect they can get all while saving some
Money.
Would think his value is above that, especially once sticker shock is apparent for SS market with Dodgers and Yankees shopping
His value is much higher than that
I think the White Sox will be a good team next year. The one mistake they made this season was not trading Alexi when his value was relatively high. It could have given them quite a bit more payroll flexibility going into the offseason and would have netted them at least a couple of OK minor leaguers.
They can trade him this off season when his value will be higher. Shorter contract, less total money owed, and a full season of his services. If I’m Hahn I’m on the phone with the Yankees and trying to get Sanchez for a package starting with Alexi
Who do the Sox play at SS if they trade Alexi?
Semien, until Tim Amderson is ready.
Ugh.. How about Sanchez? Anyone but Semien and his glove. I want the D to improve at second, not go backward (which is saying a lot with Ramirez)
I would trade Alexi to the Yankees for Gary Sanchez and one of the INTL FA’s that they just signed.
I would love for the Sox to sign Brandon McCarthy this winter. A rotation of Sale, McCarthy, Quintana, Noessi and Rodon (Who should join the rotation in July if I were running things and because he still needs some in the minors.) would be absolutely formidable.
Agreed if they can get him like they got Paulino. Small contract and a wait and see approach due to his shoulder issues.
Don’t forget Quintana has that super-two escalator in his contract. So if he triggers that as expected, he’ll get paid more earlier.
Hahn has been quoted wanting to keep Viciedo in the past, but this time I’d think is to build up trade interest.
I’m hopeful the Sox abstain from the expensive players in FA this year, but a less expensive upgrade in LF, such as Denard Span would be more in line with building up the core as they move closer to a playoff spot contending season.
Quintana is the best pitcher no one has heard off.
They need to shed Flowers, and Belisario though. Viciedo I just cannot give up
on, but I guess it is time. Then again I think him playing in LF is what
really killed his bat with worrying about patrolling the OF. DH is more suitable for him I think.
I think VMart is a mistake given his age (See Konerko). Second base is a
glimmer of hope again with Sanchez looking pretty good and Johnson due
to arrive in the Spring.
As for Ramirez… I love him, but his glove drives me crazy at times and sometimes costs more runs than drives in.
This team has to have better defense and bullpen to contend (and arguably a better manager).
What stat I would love to see is how many runs a guy gives up in the field (with errors) vs how many runs he drives in and that I think helps make decisions as to if guys should be on your club or not.
Hunter is a mistake given his age, so I can see the Sox going after him or Morse, because the Sox LOVE to go for guys well past their prime. Should stay away from PED guys though IMO. They could be here, but I have an awfully hard time rooting for guys who have been found using PEDs. The Sox have a ton of OFs in the minors, time to see what one of those guys can do IMO. If that is what they will do I could see one of these older OFs being there as a stop gap and tutor.
How about swapping the Dank Brothers for Cubs’s Edwin Jackson and Junior Lake.
Trade frees up a few $$$ for Sox and gives them a righty who had pitched in the cell before. Gives Cubs a Lefty for their rotation and left handed bench hitter.
Trade helps both sides…
Whoah….The White Sox signed Keppinger to a three-year deal, and released him after 1? 9 million dollars down the tubes. One thinks that maybe the ownership might think twice about long-term deals for utility players.
Viciedo for Joe Panik & reliever Machi. Anthony Rendon at 2nd would be awesome. Sox pick up Jose Fernandez from Marlins & bring Samardzija home to the play for the team he loves. Keep Noesi for 1 more year as Rodon matures. Get Corey Dickerson for 3rd outfield spot or C. Blackmon from Rockies. Russell Martin & A.J. for behind the plate. Keep Putnam, Webb and Petricka find a good Affeldt type lefty for bullpen & we’ll see ya in da World Series. See if a team will trade us a full diaper for Ty Flowers. Go ChiSox. JOSE JOSE JOSE JOSE JOSE JOSE !!!!!!!!!!
Hey Rick Hahn if your not comfortable spending Jerry’s money resign now. How about Giancarlo Stanton to play LF. Let’s say goodbye to Belisario, Lindstrom, Viciedo, Flowers, Ventura, N. Jones, & Guerra. 2 starting pitchers to look at Jose Fernandez in Miami & Jeff Samardzija who wants to be a white sock. If Stanton’s unacquirable Corey Dickerson from Colorado. Anthony Rendon at 2nd would be the best, but a player like Joe Panik would also be a great pickup. Forget James Shields not-so-big game, not so original. That is James Worthy’s nickname get your own nickname Shields. How about James “cant get thru the 3rd frame” Shields. Why Ventura kept putting Dunn & Viciedo in the heart of the lineup is beyond me. If Sox have around 110 million budget of which only 45 is spent, Hahn better field a real team next year.
Coaches without fire and passion like Ventura & Trestman are not motivators of men. Alexei Ramirez should retire with White Sox forget trading him lifetime .280 hitter & a top 5 defensive SS in league? Nelson Cruz would be insurance for JOSE. Sox need to retool entire bullpen, find a legitimate # 2 starter to pitch as a # 3 behind Sale & Quintana, & find 2 good outfielders A.J. Pollock maybe 1 a second baseman & a DH
DeGrom, Duda, Daniel Murphy from Mets, Gregerson & A. Miller for bullpen and hold on tight!!!! Let’s go White Sox