What role will the White Sox play in this free agent market? It’s an open question whether the club will come away with any significant players, but it also seems increasingly likely that it will be heavily involved at all levels of the market. MLBTR did not pick the South Siders to land any of the top fifty free agents, but as noted in that post, the club could pursue quite a few of the players listed. MLB.com’s Jon Morosi even names the White Sox as potential pursuers of Manny Machado and Bryce Harper. Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic points out the case for the Sox to spend (subscription link), while Jon Heyman of Fancred tweets that the club is expressing an inclination to “take a step forward now.” Meanwhile, on the other side of town, indications remain that the Cubs will not spend a big chunk of change this winter, as Joel Sherman of the New York Post is the latest to report (Twitter link).
Clearly, the White Sox are an interesting team to watch. Even if it’s arguably a bit premature for significant investments, it certainly doesn’t hurt that they play in the sport’s worst overall division. Elsewhere …
- The competition in the AL West seems to be driving the Mariners to sell. It’s unclear as yet how deep the cuts will go, but talks are already opening up. The M’s are chatting with the Rays about catcher Mike Zunino, per Rosenthal (via Twitter). With two years of control remaining, the 27-year-old backstop presents an interesting alternative to the free agent market for catchers. He’s an inconsistent but high-powered offensive performer who is generally seen as a quality defender.
- The Cardinals and incumbent Red Sox are among the suitors for veteran closer Craig Kimbrel, according to Jon Morosi of MLB.com. Kimbrel is among the players who appear to be candidates to land earlier-than-usual contracts, by Morosi’s reckoning. (He mentions a few possible landing spots for others on his list, though it’s not apparent that the connections are based upon more than his analysis.)
- Certainly, it seems the motivation is there for the Cardinals to pursue significant players. As Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes, the St. Louis front office is looking hard at ways to improve. GM Mike Girsch says the team has a competitive roster as things stand, but wants to exit the offseason with “a division-leading roster.” The piece is full of worthwhile reading for Cards fans, particularly those interested in gaining some perspective on the team’s market positioning in relation to Harper and Machado. All told, it seems reasonable not to rule the Cards out as a possible pursuer of any free agent.
- Manny and Bryce are popular considerations for most teams, of course, even if they won’t realistically be pursued by all that many organizations. The Giants are perhaps a likelier suitor than may be evident from a passing glance, John Shea of the San Francisco Chronicle writes. While the San Francisco organization struggled last year, has quite a few big contracts on the books, and doesn’t currently have a GM in place, Shea says that this kind of ownership-driven decision could still be pursued.
- Lost in the hype for those popular young free agents is the never-ending search for pitching. While the rotation was and is a strong suit for the Phillies, that doesn’t mean they can’t improve. Indeed, as Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia writes, it could make sense for the organization to use some trade assets to add a starter — in addition, of course, to pursuing a superstar position player on the open market. Salisbury tabs southpaws Robbie Ray of the Diamondbacks and James Paxton of the Mariners as two particular names to watch.
- Likewise, as they consider their pitching options, the Yankees will look at the still-developing trade market. Per Heyman, via Twitter, the Yanks have at least some level of interest in the top arms that have newly entered the sphere of trade candidates. New York’s brass will meet with their counterparts with the Indians, who are dangling Corey Kluber and Carlos Carrasco. The Yankees are also said to have some interest in Paxton. Those three are among the game’s better starters, so it’s hardly surprising to hear the connections.
Joe Kerr
I don’t understand how it would be “a bit premature” for the White Sox to make a significant investment. They have long said they are looking to contend within a few years of the rebuild with most targeting 2020 as a realistic year for playoff contention. It’s not like Machado or Harper are going to sign 1 or 2 year deals. This is what the Cubs did when they signed Lester a year before bringing up the great young talent that they have. Sure, he was on the team for 1 bad year but look what happened after that.
mike127
Lester’s first year with the Cubs was an NLCS loss to the Mets. By most standards that wasn’t a bad year. The Cubs have made the playoffs in all four of Lester’s seasons with the team.
Joe Kerr
Good correction, my bad, point still stands about the Sox though.
mike127
So true—and I’m sure making the playoffs the first year was a HUGE bonus. He was brought in as the face of the team and a notice to baseball that the franchise was serious about the build and contending. Agree on your stance about the Sox, as well.
MetsYankeesRedSox
Just watch out for Lester and beer/chicken parties in the clubhouse
lesterdnightfly
That was tiresome and outdated five years ago.
Congratulations, you are the Shecky Greene of MLBTR commenters.
deweybelongsinthehall
As a Sox fan, what happened in 2011 with that collapse still bothers me. Sure there are more important issues but spoiled athletes shouldn’t be babied. I’m picturing Gibson (take your pick Kirk or Bob) had they been on the team.
ayrbhoy
Bob Gibson-No kidding!! I just read that when Bob Gibson pitched in the ASG (65?) he didn’t speak to his Catcher Joe Torre once during the game because Joe played on a different team! Not once!
MetsYankeesRedSox
@dewey…agreed.
1999 NLCS game 6
Todd Pratt reportedly ready to swing some lumber at Henderson and Bonilla who are playing cards in clubhouse BEFORE the game ended.
venom
Wanna talk racist it’s called Sox fans who get called out by other teams players for the racist remarks they make every year! Boston fans are classless losers who all for some reason try to pretend they’re Irish! They get a few rings after being trash for almost a hundred years and think they’re the most elite franchise in sports! They get mad if Yankee fans talk about all the championships in the past simply cause they have no past to talk about!
sss847
cubs were 73-89 the season before they signed jon lester. the point is it makes sense for the sox to take a leap coming off a bad year when their payroll is this low. its not like the cubs were a good team and then signed lester. they were bad, but had a lot of projection, and they made a splash. white sox are in a similar spot.
Aaron Sapoznik
Yes, and as irony would have it Rick Renteria was the Cubs manager in their final rebuild season of 2014. Hopefully he will have the same commitment of adding significant assets from outside the organization that his successor benefited from following his departure.
Renteria’s job security on the South Side figures to be much more secure considering the recent history of their current front office who never actually fired an ineffective Robin Ventura or even the loose cannon that was Ozzie Guillen.
sss847
this is the last season renteria’s under contract. i don’t think they’ve offered him an extension. they have been grooming Omar Vizquel in the minors though…
ABCD
Agree on the coincidence of Renteria managing both rebuilds.
ABCD
Cubs ended the 2014 season 31-28. The signs of a wild card run in the next year were there. Breakouts from Arrieta and Rizzo. Emergence of Rondon and Strop. Debuts of Hendricks, Soler, and Baez. Bryant and Kyle mashing in the minors. Russell acquired for Shark and Hammel.
Hopefully, the Sox can start putting something together like that this year.
sss847
well that blew up in my face pretty quickly
Aaron Sapoznik
Yes. A very “quiet” explosion courtesy of Rick Hahn at the GM meetings. lol
Joe Costello
Cubs won 97 and made it to the NLCS his first season here. He came in with Maddon- they weren’t expecting to have a great 2015, but they did
slowcurve
2015 Cubs remind me of the 2018 Braves. And we saw what the Cubs did the following year.
brian214
Oh, I see what you’re implying. 2019 World Champions Atlanta Braves! Not with that pitching staff…LOL. I live in Atl, not a Braves fan, but they are a very likable team. They will be a force, but still need a few more proven arms.
juicemane
The holes at 3rd and shortstop…not to mention outfield depth and starting pitching is suspect at best. You had one good outfielder and he was a rookie, just what til next year when the league makes adjustments. Braves just played over their heads in a crappy division that’s all. Not going to make the playoffs next year with what the Phillies/Mets/Nationals all are about to spend 100 mil+ each.
SnappingThanos
You a salty fan?
All the Braves lose is Markakis who disappeared.
The Braves are going to spend money just not Harper or Machado money + loaded with prospects to trade.
Who is your team anyways?
juicemane
Markakis “disappeared” but still had an OBP 40 points better than Inciarte. lol … So I’m not even sure you know what you’re talking about as a “Braves fan”
ChiSoxCity
There’s never a wrong time to add a player like Machado or Harper. The Sox have the financial flexibility to sign an elite FA to 7 or 8 years without interrupting the rebuild.
Aaron Sapoznik
Yes but it is far more likely that the commitment to both Harper and Machado will be closer to 10 years than what you suggest. I do expect both players to receive the ever popular player opt-out or two which could result in a lower yearly commitment from ownership provided of course that each provide excellent production up to that point in time.
ChiSoxCity
Given the odious history of extra longterm contracts, I think GMs are starting to realize extra long contracts never work out well for reams. And seriously, who thinks Harper will be worth $35MM as a 36 yr-old outfielder? Machado might be good as a 1B/DH at that age, but for that kind of money? It doesn’t make much sense. If it takes more money for less years, I think the players will prefer it since it removes unrealistic expectations late in their respective careers.
mateodh
Nobody thinks he’ll definitely be worth $35M at 36, but they do expect him to be worth $40-50M over the first half of the contract. That’s the reasoning for most long-term deals.
Priggs89
Agreed. The argument that it’s “too early” to spend big this year is ridiculous. If it were a normal free agent class, then sure, it’d make sense. There’s no need to sign a normal, 30 year old free agent to a massive contract a year before you plan on contending. But Harper and Machado aren’t “normal” free agents. Players like this, at their ages, don’t come around every year. Jump at the opportunity while you can.
ChiSoxCity
Exactly. Elite players like Harper and Machado are perfect fits for young teams in the midst of a rebuild.
simschifan
They have to be able to add to that rotation and a closer too. This is the year. If they don’t do something big I think it’s a mistake. The Indians are vulnerable.
Priggs89
Coop has done a nice job with bullpen pieces over the last few years, so I wouldn’t be too worried about that. The only reason the bullpen was bad last year was because they sold off every veteran that was worth anything (and they did that the year before too). Before they started selling off anyone with experience/success in high leverage situations, the bullpen was actually pretty good.
And after what Ian Hamilton did to AA and AAA hitters last year, I’m 100% comfortable with him at closer until he shows me he doesn’t belong. No point in spending big on a closer unless you KNOW you’ll be in the playoffs.
JKB 2
Well said Joe Kerr
jorleeduf
It’s just a theory but maybe because they lost 100 games last season
EndinStealth
I really hope this is the year the Cardinals pull the trigger and bring in a star. Harper, Kimbrel and Donaldson are nice names. 2 out of 3 wouldn’t be bad.
baseballpun
I hope they don’t spend $70 million on Kimbrel coming off a down year.
stan lee the manly
As long as the two are Harper and Donaldson, I completely agree
EndinStealth
Yeah, Kimbrel isn’t necessarily the answer but I have little to no faith in Hicks. I dont care if you throw 120 if it’s your only real pitch you wont have great success. Plus he cant seem to throw it for a strike when needed.
baseballpun
He turned 22 two months ago. Maybe he won’t be the answer in 2019 but let him grow up a little.
oriole10
I wouldn’t put too much stock in a report from Jon Morosi. Most of his stuff isn’t credible. Can’t see the Cardinals spending big bucks on another reliever.
Psychguy
Kimbrel is the guy with the goofy looking delivery?
Vanilla Good
He’s the guy who looks like he’s tapping the ash off of a cigar before his delivery
Cubbie75
Lol I think he looks like a spider.
Cat Mando
I always get the mental image of him turning his head to say to another kid “OK….go ahead….light it!”
juicemane
He is a dancer that was doing the robot and got unplugged.
daboyz1965
Yes the red vulture
Aaron Sapoznik
The arrow seems to be pointing up for the White Sox and down for the Cubs in regards to this offseasons FA market. I expect both to be busy this winter either with signings or trades. We will all know exactly how this plays out in the coming 3 months and possibly by the time the winter meetings conclude in early December.
Mikel Grady
Because the cubs don’t need a lot and white Sox need almost everything ? Sox should learn from cubs (heyward , darvish ) not to go for Harper or machado if ridiculous 10-14 years.
Priggs89
Don’t sign an outfielder that can’t hit and a pitcher with major injury concerns to massive contacts.
Got it. Thanks for the advice.
sportingdissent
In what universe is that an equivalency? Darvish was in his 30’s and Heyward was never elite.
Machado and Harper are elite and young.
MarinerMiner
I wouldn’t mind seeing Zunino try with a different team. I’ve grown tired of watching him flail at the plate time and again. Not sure what he would bring in a return though.
#Fantasygeekland
He’s a good player, look at his WAR and WAA (wins above average)- he’s been above average the last 3 years. He’s the type of guy you want running your pitching staff, has 20 HR power, and is inexpensive… The OBP isn’t great- even for a catcher, but he’s a good player with room for growth.
stubby66
I wouldn’t mind seeing the Brewers trade Arcia for Zunino and Segura
joepanikatthedisco
But Arcia’s upside is Segura’s actual production
BuddyBoy
Really? Come back into reality man!
#Fantasygeekland
I don’t think any brewers fans in their right mind would mind either
adshadbolt
Zunino and Paxton to the braves for, Anderson, Contreras, Allard, touki and either Geninsta or waiters
antsmith7
Yes please!!!
CT
That sort of prospect package should net the Braves deGrom or Syndergard, not Zunino and Paxton
mj-2
Oh my god that’s substantially too much
Unless Zunino is an autocorrect for Haniger
c1234
Mr. Girsch a division leading team will have to have the name Harper, now go out and spend some money like the fans have wanted you to do for years.
batty
Subscription required for all St. Louis Post-Dispatch articles.
robertj53086
Nope
antsmith7
Please take Zunino! Tired of watching him strike out 250 times!
#Fantasygeekland
Why, he’s an above average catcher for sure. He can hit 20 bombs easily, and is a really good defender. Worth 2 wins even when he hits .201. He’s been above average the last 3 years.
matt4baseball
I like Zunino’s defensive chops and should complement Mike Perez with our young pitching staff. The trade price is what concerns me for a 200 hitter with power. My first choice is still Wilson Ramos as backup catcher/DH… Looks like a buyers market again this year in Free agency. Good things come to those who wait.
Android Dawesome
Not saying its going to happen any time soon but I would like to see a Cubs/White Sox World Series.
thetruth 2
Happened in 1906.
ChiSoxCity
Would be fun to watch, but I see Epstein riding his current roster until the wheels fall off. By the time the Sox are contending (2020), I think the Cubs will be blowing their roster up.
Slevin
“By the time the Sox are contending(2020)” lofl
ChiSoxCity
lofl all you want, the Sox have MORE talent than the Cubs did before they started contending in ‘15, with more on the way. Add a few high quality FA signings to the mix, and the White Sox should be poised to win the AL Central in 2020.
mateodh
No matter how talented your farm, you can’t just expect prospects to pan out at the rate the Cubs’ did the last 5 years.
Slevin
Look at the ones that have fizzled so far.
adkuchan
Yoan Moncada surpass your expectations this year? How about Giolito? Prospects are fun, Until they aren’t… I realize these guys can bounce back, but so far, not so good.
cysoxsale
+1
southsidehero
Hey you know what’s funny though? Javy Baez was worse than Yoan Moncada his rookie year and the Cubs gave us Eloy and Cease. I think that’s pretty interesting
simschifan
Not gonna happen anytime soon. I don’t expect much from the Cubs next year and I feel like they will blow it up. Sox need to make the right moves. And prospects need to pan out.
adkuchan
It’s odd that so many feel like a team that just won 95 games is just going to fall off a cliff. They had an abrupt end to the season, due to the structure of baseball playoffs. They were tied for the best record in the NL after 162 games. they lost two extremely well played and hotly contested games in a row. Doesn’t mean they forgot how to play.
Wainofan
IF cards are truly in on Harper, I can’t see them signing Kimbrel to $70 million on top of Harper. So until Harper signs, or goes past the threshold, hard for me to see teams that are in on him making other big signings. With cards it seems like either or. Either Harper or Donaldson/Kimbrel
Slevin
Cards..Donaldson-yes
Kimbrell-Yes
Harper-no, though they stand a better chance than the Giants…
mj-2
Kimbrel ready to come back to Atlanta otherwise he would have just found a way to sign an extension with the Sox
Welcome home Craig. The time has come, none of us ever wanted him to go in the first place himself included
southsidehero
@adkuchan Hey you know what’s funny though? Javy Baez was worse than Yoan Moncada his rookie year and the Cubs gave us Eloy and Cease. I think that’s pretty interesting.
frankchitown
White Sox can and should pursue Machado and Harper. If Machado is willing to move to third than you have Machado 3b, Anderson SS, Moncada 2B, Aubrue 1b, Harper LF, Engle CF, Jimenez RF. Robert is close and will play CF soon. Avisil Garcia DH, and Lopez, Giolito, are 2-3 will lots of arms coming up. That team will be young and beastly. Especially if Kopech can return.
Cardinals17
If Michael Girsch says the Cardinals are looking to upgrade, then I believe it. If Mozeliak opens his mouth, we’ll all know it’s just more of the same that the Cardinal fans have seen over the past 4-5 years.