Though the White Sox have followed up a seven-game winning streak in late July with a 3-8 showing, GM Rick Hahn hasn’t yet thrown in the towel on the season, writes Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times. “As we get deeper into August and if things don’t improve that is something we’ll have to take seriously but at this point we’re still having the same approach of looking for long term fits that could help this year and beyond,” Hahn told Van Schouwen.
Hahn notes that the despite the discouraging results of late, the Sox do have quite a bit of schedule remaining against teams that are currently ahead of them in the Wild Card standings. The Sox topped the Angels last night and have two more games against them in the current series. They’ll then host the Cubs for three and travel to Anaheim for a four-game set. Following that, Chicago has 10 straight games against the struggling Red Sox and Mariners to close out the month, so it does seem that there’s some reason for optimism based on the schedule.
Nonetheless, a six-and-a-half-game deficit when there are seven teams in better Wild Card standing is a tough obstacle for the White Sox to face, and their immediate schedule is a difficult one. Hahn didn’t speak as a man who would cling to the current course of action at all costs: “As for us in the front office obviously we have to be cognizant of where we sit in the standings and how each loss makes that road to the playoffs a little more difficult to travel down. So we’re aware of the situation and we’re aware of what potentially needs to be done in the coming weeks.”
Should the next nine games against contending teams go particularly poorly, the Sox will have a number of pieces they can look to market to other teams. Jeff Samardzija probably wouldn’t clear waivers, but the Sox could certainly put him through the process and see if they’re able to strike a deal with a claiming team. The resurgent Alexei Ramirez (.289/.316/.533 with five homers, four steals in 23 second-half games) could be of interest to teams looking for shortstop help. Catcher Geovany Soto and righty Matt Albers are also short-term pieces that could draw interest. Candidates to clear waivers due to their salary include Ramirez, Adam LaRoche, Zach Duke, John Danks and Melky Cabrera, as each has had his struggles his year (Cabrera, like Ramirez, has come to life as of late but is still owed $32.9MM through 2017).
On the flipside, if they’re able to get back into the Wild Card hunt late this month, the Sox have received scarce production from second base, third base and designated hitter this season, and they could use some left-handed relief help as well.
Odd that you mention Alexi Ramirez’s second half production and then say “scant production at second base” when Carlos Sanchez’s OPS in the second half is identical to Ramirez’s.
In fact, the production at 2B for the White Sox has been ‘scant’ this year. Micah Johnson struggled, especially on defense until his demotion in May. Carlos Sanchez has exhibited fine glove work as his replacement since but his offensive production was woeful until his resurgence in the last month.
Actual production and potential at 2B are another matter. The White Sox are not lacking in the latter category, with both Johnson and Sanchez among their top position prospects heading into the 2015 season.
Johnson is the organization #2 rated non-pitching prospect behind #1 overall rated SS Tim Anderson. Johnson is also the organizations most MLB ready prospect and has little else to prove at AAA once he returns from the disabled list. He is a dynamic offensive threat as a true lead-off hitter who can actually steal bases, unlike current White Sox #1 hitter Adam Eaton. In my opinion, if Johnson can cut it defensively in MLB at 2B, then he ought to become the clubs long term lead-off man while Eaton would profile very nicely as a #2 hitter.
Sanchez has always flashed a strong glove at 2B which is not surprising since he was drafted as a SS prospect and has played both positions equally throughout his minor league career. His offense has been up and down but he has shown an ability to succeed at every level once he has acclimated, as he has done in his early MLB career. The switch-hitter profiles offensively as a #9 hitter in a big league lineup with a potential ceiling as a #2 batter. Many scouting services view Sanchez as a quality MLB utility infielder with his ability to play defensively at 2B, SS and 3B. His hitting will likely determine his ultimate ceiling in the big leagues as a potential starting option at 2B or SS.
In my opinion, the White Sox would be wise to audition both Johnson and Sanchez for 2016 jobs in the final weeks of the current season. As soon as the front office deems the team out of contention and Johnson returns from the D.L., Johnson should be given an opportunity to finish the 2015 season as the White Sox starter at 2B while Sanchez could slide over to SS. With current SS Alexei Ramirez likely gone before the 2016 season (trade or team option declined) and Anderson not quite ready for prime time, Sanchez or current White Sox third baseman Tyler Saladino figure to be the leading contenders as next seasons opening day starter at the position.
It would be a shame if the Sox didn’t give Micah Johnson a fair shake because of Sanchez, especially with the way their lineup struggles when the top doesn’t produce. Johnson has the chance to be one of the better lead-off hitters in the league.
I think the Sox did give a ‘fair shake’ to Micah, but you cannot make error after error at second and expect to stay up at the major league level (not to mention his bat disappeared, though likely due in part to his frequent errors in the field). I know Sanchez has had issues in the past, but given the opportunity he did clean up a lot of those defensive issues where Johnson did not. Sanchez is hitting pretty well now, but that .176 start did a number on his average. I think once he realized it was ‘OK’ to hit to the opposite field’ it really started to click for him, plus he is a switch hitter, which gives you much more flexibility than Johnson IMO.
I have liked Eaton as a #2 for quite some time now and I like how you explained Johnson, Sanchez and then Eaton moving into the #2 spot so well.. Nicely done..
Yeah, he is 6th in WAR for 2nd baseman (in the 2nd half).
Using WAR to prove a point, is in itself, pointless..
It’s probably because nothing about Carlos Sanchez’s skills or his minor league production indicate his play the last few weeks is sustainable. He’s likely just hot, and will continue to be a .230 major league hitter with little power but superb defensive skills across three positions.
The author didn’t say “scant” he said “scarce” which would be exactly what they have gotten out of 2nd base..
Did extension talks completely breakdown with Samardzija (did they ever begin?), it seemed like he was expected to stay in Chicago long term, now hes gone from being traded to not being traded to possibly waivers.
I know coming into this season he was dead set on entering free agency, maybe but after the season he has had and the pitchers that will be free agents, seems like it would be in his best interest to talk extension, even a short one with an opt out if he wishes to rebuild value.
I’d pass on Samardzija and either put more money in to go after one of the upper level pitching free agents, or go down a tier and get one or two there. Samardzija wants to be paid like an elite pitcher – he is not. He’s a poor #2 and hasn’t done much at all in the AL. Pity the NL team that gives him a long term contract with the DH very probably being put in place there after the next CBA.
Lots of Sox players under-performed this year. Mostly it was because their reps were swell but their fundamentals weren’t, so teams took advantage. Put Samardzija at the top of the list. Other then brushing back hitters and getting into fights, I’m not sure what he offers that a #3-4 innings eater like Jeremy Guthrie doesn’t. They both have bad games at least 1/3 of the time, but hope that the offense is scoring well enough to keep the team in the game till the bullpen can be called in.
I think we have seen the real Samardzija this season. Middling and apparently only good when he wants out of town. Now that the deadline has passed I’m not surprised to see his lackluster effort. I would say if you can get an above average prospect and an average prospect, trade him. Get him out now, or risk him being so bad that he accept the qualifying offer the Sox must give him to get their sandwich pick, because at this point I’m not sure how much better he is than what you could get from Erik Johnson.
Nobody has ever accepted the qualifying offer.
Somebody will eventually.. This year it is supposed to be around $16m.. Somebody like Samardzija or Wieters will probably accept it sooner or later and then try to rebuild their value next year.. I was absolutely shocked when Colorado gave Cuddyer a QO and even more shocked when he turned it down.. He essentially signed a contract with the Mets for next year for $5 million. He must have wanted out of Colorado badly because he could have accepted it and then next year signed a one year deal with another team. If Drew could get a $5 million contract after his season last year then surely Cuddyer could get $7-8 million on a one year deal after the season he has had this year.. His stats would have still been inflated in Colorado too.. Anyway, as soon as one player takes the QO I am sure several others will start to follow.. Players wait sometimes 12-13 years for free agency and it must be hard to tell yourself that this wasn’t my year and I should take the offer because I probably won’t do better on the open market.. I bet Drew, Cuddyer, Cruz and Santana wish they had accepted the QO.. Especially Cruz.. He only got a one year $8m deal out of Baltimore and had another QO attached to him after that..
His free agency could drag out until that tier above him signs. Then it’s down to he and Gallardo and Leake. I suppose he could avoid the drama by working out a deal with the White Sox after the season.
I agree he’s in that class. But I believe he wants to be paid more like a solid #2 starter. I’d pay a little more and go get Jordan Zimmermann, or play less and try to get a Gallardo or Leake. Heck, I’d take a chance on Cooper rehabbing Fister.
He’s a solid #2 when he’s on his game. It’ll just come down to his decision, because I think it’s likely the White Sox try to resign him. I suppose he could move fairly quickly on a resign to avoid that watered down market…but I doubt it.
I like Gallardo in Arizona, and I could see Leake staying in SF
Zimmerman has looked just as inconsistent, and will likely cost more.
Agreed. Another potential outcome for Jeff Samardzija might be that he accepts a likely qualifying offer extended to him by the White Sox prior to his entry in the free agent market this coming off-season.
Since ‘Shark’ hasn’t been dealt this season, unlike other potential 2016 starting pitcher FA’s like Johnny Cueto, David Price and Scott Kazmir, he will command the forfeiture of a top pick (top-10 protected) in next June’s amateur draft from any team that signs him should the White Sox extend him that qualifying offer.
No MLB player has actually accepted a Q.O. from his former team since the the most recent collective bargaining agreement changed the process of FA compensation, but Samardzija might be a candidate with his poor showing this season, along with a flooded market of available starting pitchers and his previously stated desire to remain with the White Sox long term, the team he rooted for growing up in Valparaiso, Indiana and a city in which he still calls his home.
But Samardzija has repeatedly said that he wants free agency because the players coming up behind him deserve for him to get as much money as he can.. The guy has a massive ego and even though the QO is in his best interest I doubt he will accept it.. If I was his agent I would push hard for him to take it.. But he does know that Cashman has a man crush on him and when the Yankees get involved you know more money than usual will change hands.. Remember Shark was a reliever for his first couple of years in the majors so his arm does not have the innings on it that other 30 year olds do.. That will help him somewhat against guys like Zimmermann and Leake.. They may both be younger than Samardzija (in Leake’s case 3 years younger) but both of those pitchers have at least 100 more innings on their arms.. I would take a 30 year old starter with 900 innings over a 28 year old starter with 1000..
Seemed set on going to free agency. I’m not sure if that eliminates the White Sox from signing him long-term. He would have personal reasons for wishing to remain in Chicago, but a wish to play for the home team doesn’t always dictate decisions. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him resign
I think I’d rather have the draft pick than Samardzija at this point. He is really overrated and while set on going to FA, if he sees the money is not there this year, he could accept the Q.O, which I do not think the Sox want. Either a long term (which I think would be disastrous) or go to FA so the Sox can get their sandwich pick, that is of course assuming someone signs him.
everyones on waivers, they arnet the real ones
Seriously wish they would say players instead of pieces.
Oh man..this gets me too! It’s like watching HGTV and hearing the term “this space” used for every room…just repetitive…also the term “get”…like good get
I am guilty of using “get”.. I think I have used it in replies to you in the past..Lol I will try to keep up the good work..
How this team wasn’t selling at the trade deadline is a slap in the face to every fan they have and should result in the loss of some front office jobs.
What do you propose they should have sold? The only attractive non-core piece was Samardzija, and reports say they like the QO draft pick more than they liked the offers they were getting.
Because of the White Sox hot streak just ahead of the July 31st trade deadline the team upped the ante for any team willing to trade for Jeff Samardzija…and rightfully so. As you might recall, the club had pulled to within 2-1/2 games of the final wild card spot and had passed a number of other teams in the process.
The best options at the non-waiver deadline for Rick Hahn was to either stand pat or sell high. He tried to do the latter with ‘Shark’ and wound up settling for the former.
Regardless of the White Sox status as contenders in 2015, their focus is still on adding to their young core. They started their retool 2 years ago at the 2013 trade deadline and their philosophy was to acquire young talent that was near or MLB ready and under substantial team control. That thinking is still in place but they are also willing to add some veteran pieces to fill in the roster as they become more competitive. The White Sox felt they could do both last off-season in a league and division that many felt lacked any dominating teams and most experts gave them high marks for their trades and FA acquisitions.
I would agree for the most part.. I didn’t think LaRoche would translate to the American League very well and Melky has always been a “contract year” player.. Look at his stats from past seasons.. He cranks it up a notch in the final year of his contract and then under performs until another contract year rolls around.. Personally, I can’t stand him as a player and I was disappointed when the Sox signed him.. I really liked the Samardzija trade though.. I thought he would do very well in his walk year and pitching for his favorite team growing up.. The fact that the White Sox didn’t overpay for him was a bonus. I think Beane could have gotten more out of the Yankees or Red Sox for him but it seems the last few years he has avoided Cashman..
So these players are not already on waivers? Why exactly? I wish Hahn would stop drinking the kool aid and start being realistic. Also Sanchez is fine at Second, and Saladino is fine at 3rd IMO. Both have fielded the ball fairly well as of late and also their bats are average, but at this point that is what the Sox need out of those positions. I would say to even keep Cabrera as he has looked pretty darn good hitting lately against pretty much everyone. I would use him at DH if it was not for the dead stick there now. If you can find someone crazy enough to take Danks after his streak of good starts, do it as I doubt that will last. Also here is a nightmare scenario for you: Samardzija is SO bad for the rest of the season the best offer he gets is the Sox qualifying offer (that they must give him to get the sandwich draft pick) and he decides to take it, so you pay a middling pitcher a ton of cash next season..
Have been shocked in the couple games seen Matty Albers pitch in and just seen him touch 90-91 this season. Realize he hurt his shoulder, then his finger and is just coming back from both, that velocith, tho.. After 20+ games when Albers would touch 95 before and sit in the 93-4 range think is going to put a crimp on his market after the year for a power reliever, who counts on his sinking fastball to induce grounders.