White Sox GM Rick Hahn addressed the media yesterday regarding the state of his organization’s rebuilding efforts and plans for the coming offseason. Daryl Van Schouwen of the Chicago Sun-Times and James Fegan of The Athletic (subscription link) were among those to participate in the chat.
Of particular note, Hahn gave some clues as to the South Siders’ market stance this winter. From an outside perspective, the organization’s wide-open payroll and anticipated timeline — along with a potentially intriguing opportunity in the game’s worst division — make the Sox potential pursuers of some top-flight talent over the coming winter.
Hahn made clear that the ballclub — which is presently sitting on a 62-96 record — is “not yet in a position realistically to be adding so-called finishing pieces.” That’s hard to argue.
Of course, that doesn’t mean that the team isn’t positioned to commit some cash under the right circumstances. The veteran exec emphasized that he’d like to avoid “short-term fixes that will complicate things in the long run.” Rather, he said, the focus will be on setting the organization up “for an extended run.”
Unsurprisingly, perhaps, Hahn ultimately landed on an oft-heard buzzword to describe his expected approach: opportunism. Noting that it’s generally not possible to “control when certain players become available,” Hahn hinted at potential involvement with higher-end performers.
As he put it:
“If we see long-term pieces that make sense, in addition to augmenting the pitching or filling certain needs for 2019, I think we have the flexibility to pursue them and we are going to be opportunistic and respond to the market accordingly.”
It could be that the White Sox will pursue something like the recent approach of the Phillies, who brought in several high-priced veterans on relatively short-term deals at a point at which their young roster had not yet fully matured. Of course, while there’s room to spend, the Chicago org did not maintain a payroll as lofty as that of the Phils during those teams’ most recent competitive phases. At the same time, the Philadelphia club’s 2017-18 outlay came in a market that did not feature the sort of eye-popping young talent that’ll be on offer this winter. It’s not hard to imagine the Sox being somewhat more reluctant than the Phillies were last winter, while at the same time being aggressive in chasing particular players.
Ultimately, the White Sox will need to bear in mind the limitations on their near-term outlook. It’s a club that’s still waiting for some talented players to make hoped-for strides. Yoan Moncada, for instance, has been only a league-average hitter due to his difficulties reaching base. Hahn noted that Moncada could be moved around the diamond if the situation calls for it, so he’ll join Yolmer Sanchez as a flexible piece who can adapt to the team’s other moves. It sounds as if Tim Anderson remains entrenched at shortstop, with Hahn praising his defensive efforts, though of course his bat is also still in need of development. The organization has a variety of other interesting players already playing in the majors, but only Anderson has posted more than 2.0 fWAR this year, hinting at the remaining uncertainty.
Perhaps there’d be a stronger argument for the Sox to begin pushing the pedal to the floor had Michael Kopech not gone down with a torn ulnar collateral ligament. With Kopech out for the 2019 season, the team’s rotation outlook is significantly weakened. Hahn says he is committed only to Carlos Rodon, Reynaldo Lopez, and Lucas Giolito — a that trio had its share of concerns this year, particularly when peripherals are examined.
Losing Kopech not only shaves off a significant bit of upside, but leaves a roster in need of innings which “very likely will come from outside the organization,” per Hahn. It’s not clear as yet whether a significant acquisition or two might be possible, or if the team will instead mostly pursue gap-filling measures in building out its rotation.
acarneglia
Got a chance to see Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal some this year with Class A Low Kannapolis, those are two exciting young players.
dimitrios in la
Very nice—always great to SEE the players so many just talk about, without having seen them.
Aaron Sapoznik
This is the first time I have heard Rick Hahn mention the possibility of Yoan Moncada moving off of 2B and to 3B. This is something I had suggested the moment the organization made Nick Madrigal their top selection in last June’s Rule 4 Draft. Hahn suggests that the transition of Moncada could happen as early as this offseason and be effective in time for the upcoming season. 670thescore.radio.com/white-sox-expect-better-2019…
This speaks to the MLB readiness of Madrigal. If this comes to transpire, I would then expect Yolmer Sanchez to hold down the 2B position until Madrigal begins his career on the South Side, most likely during the 2020 season.
astros_fan_84
Yoan was a #1 prospect, and he still hasn’t figured it out. It might be a bit early to annoit anyone.
pplama
He did’t specify 3B. Levine did.
He’s never linked Moncada to 3B. Hahn has only mentioned the OF as an alternative for Yoan.
His arm has teams and scouts doubting his ability there.
Moving Moncada to a new postiton after the struggles he’s just had, ignoring the 3B FA market the next 2 years, and banking on Madrigal, who had an unremarkable start at A+, as the future at 2B would be terrible FO decision making.
Aaron Sapoznik
Bruce Levine specifically claims Hahn suggested 3B per the link.
The Red Sox thought enough of Yoan Moncada’s potential at 3B that they allowed him to make his MLB debut at the position. Additionally, as the top prospect in baseball Moncada was given a 60 scouting grade for his arm which matched his hit tool and was only exceeded by his 65 run tool. If his arm is strong enough for a move to the OF it should be plenty good at 3B as well. m.mlb.com/prospects/2016/
You must be joking about Madrigal’s “unremarkable” start to his minor league career including his performance at A+ Winston-Salem. Since you cast doubt on the scouting grades given to Moncada perhaps you should take another look at those given to Madrigal where he is said to have Gold Glove potential at 2B. m.mlb.com/prospects/2018?list=cws
pplama
Never said the issue with Monada’s arm was strength.
Scouting grades are merely an oft adjusted starting point.
If that were the only factor in a throw, Jon Lester would have no problem getting a ball to 1B.
A .342 slg% and 702OPS for a College bat chosen #4, at a band box like Winston Salem, is quite unremarkable and cause for mild concern going forward. Certainly enough to refrain from annointing him the future at 2B.
Aaron Sapoznik
Your exact phrase: “His (Moncada’s) arm has teams and scouts doubting his ability there.” If you have a thought about any other issue with Moncada’s arm you ought to spell it out for all of us and not use SP Jon Lester as an analogy.
Are you seriously going to bring up Nick Madrigal’s slugging % as a concern? Power was his only below average skill coming into the June Draft out of college. His strength is with every other facet including his hit and run tool which will play at #1 or #2 in a future White Sox lineup, his field and arm tools which could make him an adequate SS but a standout at 2B, along with his extremely high baseball IQ which figures to get him to the South Side sooner rather than later.
Unlike Eloy Jimenez who is said to be still lacking with his defense (inset eye roll here) Madrigal figures to check off every box that Rick Hahn has for him as the White Sox core player atop their batting order and at 2B. While Madrigal awaits his 2020 MLB debut, Moncada’s bat and glove figure to play better at 3B while Yolmer Sanchez’ plays best at 2B come opening day next season.
None of this should preclude the White Sox from pursuing either Manny Machado or Nolan Arenado as potential 3B fits in the next two off-seasons. However, the odds of them signing either are far less likely than what they can fully control with their own players which should include Madrigal at 2B and with Moncada at 3B OR possibly in the OF. The White Sox will have an opportunity to make a run at Machado or Bryce Harper this winter. Signing either could then impact their decision regarding Moncada’s move to either 3B or the OF in 2019 but will likely have zero effect on Madrigal playing 2B in their system this year or beyond.
pplama
tl,dr
Samswede
Nailed it! I’m in complete agreement. I would actually be very disappointed if Madrigal suddenly started swinging for the fences. He will be a perfect lead off man (or worst case, #2 hitter).
Aaron Sapoznik
pplama: OK, PP. lol
Aaron Sapoznik
Madrigal has already stated that he will take full advantage of the professional training offered by the White Sox to add some extra strength and muscle to his body this offseason. This should help increase his bat speed and exit velocity and result in a better SLG.. He also insisted he will NOT adjust his batting style and approach which has made him the ultimate contact hitter and earned him kudos as the college hitter with the best hit tool entering the 2018 June Draft.
Madrigal was also assigned to the Arizona Instructional League with many of his first year draft mates which began on September 20th. mlb.com/whitesox/news/white-sox-instructional-leag…. He is expected to get some reps at SS after playing almost exclusively at 2B to begin his pro career. His strength and conditioning program will commence afterward and continue throughout the offseason.
Aaron Sapoznik
Btw-Madrigal made good on his comments that nothing embarresses him more as a hitter than striking out. He fanned a mere 5 times in 173 PA’s in his first pro season while also producing a .303 BA and .353 OBP despite a slow start with his debut in the Arizona Rookie League due to lingering hamstring issues he incurred during his long run in the NCAA World Series tournament which resulted in a championship for Oregon State. After making a miscue in his debut game as a SS, Madrigal committed just one more error at 2B where he played exclusively for the remainder of his 2018 season at 3 different levels which saw him finishing at A+ Winston-Salem. That span consisted of 38 games played at 2B.
antsmith7
White Sox have a bright future. They should move Abreu this winter.
astros_fan_84
Who would want him and at what return?
its_happening
Possibly Seattle, Minnesota, Yankees if they quit on Bird. As for a return…well, doubt they’ll get a huge haul.
cwsOverhaul
Abreu w/1yr left at significant arb $ has little trade value. With his reported age (probably +2), maybe extend him for 2yrs beyond 2019 at 15mil per. 1B/DH market forces show they don’t need to pay huge or offer many years. Let him walk after ’19 if he’d rather test FA. He’s a nice bat to have with Eloy while waiting on a bunch of hitters in high A ball……..but the mentor narrative was always flawed as far as his presence being vital to make others like Moncada better.
bobtillman
When the Lords of the Realm say” Look, we’re going to be good in 2022, so between then and now, we’ll cut ticket prices 50% in 2019 and 25% in 2020″, I’ll believe that this “Tanking Ideology” is anything more than a marketing ploy.
They’ve learned that you hide things in plain sight. In other words, we’re charging premium prices for an inferior product……and this is GOOD for you, the fan.
It’s been the greatest boon for owners since cable TV……
sf52
Reinsdorf’s ownership group has had a perpetual 3 year plan since they bought the team 37 years ago. All that smack about wanting to be an elite organization.
If they were truly serious they would have gone outside the org and brought in a fresh perspective.
stymeedone
Might have made them the favorites to at least finish 2nd in the division next year if that rotation was Sale, Quintana and Rodon at the top. Eaton would fit well also. As they were all cheap, they could have still looked to add this off-season, but they would have been “finishing pieces”.
Konerko 4 Prez
That team you described existed for three years and was bad. They never won more than 76 games together. Trading to rebuild was the right move.
bravesfan
Here are their plans “do better than last year, find a player or two”. Done
coldgoldenfalstaff
Sox need to do two things next year:
1. Find more pitchers. That 3-5 pick will help but I think the Sox should be proactive on a younger arm with 2-3 MLB seasons that can dovetail with the prospects into a key piece. Spending big in Free Agency seems a bad idea, would rather take a calculated risk on out of options players after spring training. . I’d hope they’re also active in the Rule V draft as well to boost the near MLB pitching stock.
2. After next season move on from the on-field staff. It’s not healthy for younger players to have a caretaker manager, a pitching coach with more power than the manager and the GM setting the day to day lineups. I’d like to see a similar hire to Hinch, where they hire someone the GM can trust to carry out his vision and let him do it with tools to succeed and without a ton of interference and let him pick his own coaches.
pplama
Can’t believe the seats under Renteria and Steverson aren’t the least bit warm. Development is suffering and in-game strategy is abysmal.
cwsOverhaul
The solution for successor is likely in-house. Omar Vizquel is a winner, and worked well this year with many of the key prospect position players in Winston-Salem.
pplama
His managerial decisions at Winston Salem left far more questions than answers. Had the team running into outs and forbade players from pulling any pitches ever.
justinept
You mean he had a group of 19-20 year old kids who made some bad base running decisions? Shocking!
What you have to understand about he minors is that it’s about development. These aren’t finished products. They will make mistakes. And more than half the players on the field have zero chance of ever reaching the big leagues.
Additionally, managers aren’t judged by winning. They have a hybrid job, 50% scout, 50% teacher. They communicate with the area scouts, roving instructors, and big league positional coaches to develop and execute developmental prospects for individual prospects.
Decisions like forbidding a player to pull a pitch is one that is above his pay grade. If he told a player that, he was merely a messenger.
sf52
Reinsdorf’s ownership group has had a perpetual 3 year plan since they bought the team 37 years ago. All that smack about wanting to be an elite organization.
If they were truly serious they would have gone outside the org and brought in a fresh perspective.
justinept
This same non-sense was brought up when the Cubs started their rebuild. Just because you’re losing, it doesn’t mean you’re rebuilding. Until last year, the White Sox had actually avoided rebuilding since ’97 when their fans basically revolted over the idea of it.
JustBob
First time caller, but puzzle me this:
‘Hey Tier 2 free agent, you cannot predict who will be competing for playoffs and easier to negotiate w us. No trade clause related to playoff position and fair contract. Start every day and we will move you for future pieces. ‘
Why wouldn’t this work every day? 2-3 year contracts, options, etc. Easier to convince teams trying to make a push to overpay than get teams to pay now and hope later.
MrStealYoBase
Because it’s a risk. If the player doesn’t perform well the. The team signing them is stuck with that contract.