We’re bringing back our “Three Needs” series, in which we take a look at the chief issues to be addressed for clubs that have fallen out of contention. We’ve already focused on the Mariners and the Tigers, and now we’ll turn our attention to a White Sox team that’s about to conclude its 11th straight season without a playoff berth. Led by general manager Rick Hahn, the Pale Hose figure to spend the offseason working toward putting a playoff team on the field in 2020. Here are a few things they need to address in order to make that a possibility…
1. Upgrade The Outfield
If we’re to believe fWAR, no team has been worse off in the grass than the White Sox, whose outfielders have combined for a league-low minus-0.3 in that category. Much-ballyhooed rookie left fielder Eloy Jimenez has been the lone bright spot, though he hasn’t been a defensive stalwart. Everyone else has been downright terrible at the plate. The good news is that the White Sox have yet another super prospect, 22-year-old Luis Robert, nearing the majors.
Even if Robert comes up from Triple-A Charlotte early next season and makes an immediate impact, the White Sox will still need at least one more solution in the outfield. The club knew the OF was an issue last offseason, when it made at least a perfunctory effort to sign Bryce Harper, and now that Chicago’s a year closer to ending its rebuild, it should again place significant emphasis on the area during the upcoming winter. While the White Sox went after Harper last offseason, they also reportedly pursued a trade for Dodgers outfielder Joc Pederson, who wound up staying put. He could again be a trade target in a couple months, though, with Marcell Ozuna, Corey Dickerson, Brett Gardner, Yasiel Puig and the defensively questionable Nicholas Castellanos serving as surefire upgrades who could be among the game’s free agents.
2. Improve The Starting Staff
Right-hander Lucas Giolito has turned into a bona fide front-line starter, which is arguably the best news the White Sox have received this season. Too bad they can’t clone him. Giolito aside, Chicago’s staff clearly needs more sure things heading into 2020. Reynaldo Lopez, although promising, has struggled for a large portion of this season. So has Ivan Nova, who paces the team in starts and innings, and is slated to become a free agent over the winter. Rookie Dylan Cease has a ton of potential, but he has endured a difficult start to his major league career. And both Carlos Rodon and Michael Kopech are recovering from recent Tommy John procedures. Rodon had surgery back in May, meaning he certainly won’t be back for the early portion of 2020. Kopech went under the knife a year ago, so the hyped prospect could be a factor toward the beginning of next season. However, Kopech’s resume includes a meager 14 1/3 major league innings.
Chicago’s not known for winning free-agent bidding wars, evidenced by the fact that Jose Abreu’s six-year, $68MM contract from October 2013 still stands as the richest deal in franchise history. Maybe it’s time for the big-market club to buck that trend, though. There’s no reason the White Sox shouldn’t aggressively pursue the sport’s No. 1 soon-to-be free agent, Astros ace and potential AL Cy Young winner Gerrit Cole, who could command more than $200MM on the open market. They should also be in on lesser (but still capable) free-agent arms such as Zack Wheeler and Jake Odorizzi, to name a couple.
3. Shore Up The Right Side Of The Infield
The left side of the White Sox’s infield looks to be in excellent shape. Third baseman Yoan Moncada has turned into the stud the team originally thought it was getting in its 2016 Chris Sale blockbuster with the Red Sox. Adjacent to Moncada, shortstop Tim Anderson may be on his way to a batting title.
Unfortunately for Chicago, the right side of its infield isn’t as well off. Primary second baseman Yolmer Sanchez hasn’t been the answer at his position, while Abreu is slated to hit free agency. In the case of the latter, it seems there’s a solid chance of a new deal coming together. The White Sox and Abreu have made their affinity for one another known on several occasions, and the 32-year-old’s late-season hot streak could further galvanize the team to re-sign him. If not, though, first (and probably designated hitter) will need to be on the White Sox’s to-do list via the free-agent and-or trade markets.
Even more concerns are in the offing at second, though the White Sox will struggle to find a long-term solution there in free agency. Thirty-somethings Howie Kendrick (who has been fantastic this year), Brian Dozier, Starlin Castro, Ben Zobrist, Brock Holt and Jason Kipnis could be short-term targets there. Maybe even Mike Moustakas, a longtime third baseman who has gotten his first MLB experience at the keystone this year. The fact that any of those players would just be a Band-Aid for the White Sox might not be the worst thing in the world, as 22-year-old Nick Madrigal (another of their enviable prospects) progressed to the Triple-A level this season and shouldn’t be far from a big league promotion.
Of course, if the White Sox really want to think outside the box, they could go after a third baseman – be it Anthony Rendon, the premier position player nearing free agency, Josh Donaldson or Moustakas – and move Moncada back to second. Moncada spent the first couple years of his career at the keystone before shifting to third this season.
1) A GM
2) A manager
3) Relocation
HAHAHA
Sounds like a sound list of priorities… for the cubs.
Move them out to the north suburbs where most of their “local” fans live.
At least the Cubs are good, unlike the ChiSox
The cubs are currently out of the playoff picture, and haven’t bern “good” since 2016. Not that I’d expect a Yankees fan to know anything.
The cubs are still in it for the wildcard and they were in the nlcs in 17. Not that I’d expect a Sox fan to know anything
You say the Cubs have not been good since 2016? LMAO at you
If Jerry Reinsdorf had gotten his wish back in 1986 the White Sox would be playing in a “retro” state of the art ballpark in the western suburb of Addison which would have relegated the Cubs to being second class citizens in the greater Chicago metropolitan area. cbssports.com/mlb/news/the-white-sox-ballpark-in-c…
You can thank the privileged 1% in nearby Medina for not making that happen. Their preference is country clubs over baseball stadiums.
At least 80% of the fans who show up at Wriggley don’t live in the city of Chicago. I’ll even wager that most cubs fans aren’t even Chicagoans at all. They moved to Chicago from somewhere else. So moving them to the north or northwest suburbs would actually bring them closer to their fans.
Unfortunately, for you, Wrigley Field is a tourist attraction. Wrigley knew nothing about building a ballclub, but he certainly kept up the ballpark.
God I wish they would have moved from that dump of a neighborhood. Oh well maybe after the old man is gone. Aurora White Sox?
Are you referring to the surrounding neighborhoods of Armour Square and Bridgeport where the White Sox play their home games? If so, you are a moron!
That’s exactly what I’m talking about. Moron! Childish name calling moron
80% do not live in the City? Blahaha. Ok pal.
Oh and I will take that wager on the Cubs fans you claim are all from out of town?
How many White Sox fans live in the City? Hard to tell as no one shows up
1. no.
2. yes.
3. hell no.
You forgot ‘a new owner’.
No you got the list wrong. It should be:
1. New owner
2. New front office
3. New manager.
4. Relocation.
can’t argue with the FA front line starters. but a left handed bat is a must, be it at DH or RF.
Leave Moncada at third!
The “must LHB” is no longer as Moncada is HR power from the left all day. Sanchez, Garcia provide their switch hitting abilities, while Boomstick Collins should get a fair amount of bats next season.
Signing Cole should be their top priority in the offseason. Considering the $300MM offer to Machado last year, the White Sox committing $210MMish to one of the top 3 pitchers in the game should be a no brainer. Cole would make them an immediate contender next year. If they miss out on him (or a Strasburgh if he opts out), the Sox stay 2-3 yrs away.
No way he signs there. Cole is a winner who wants a winning culture, not some clown show on the south side of Chicago. The Sux are MLBs Redskins, transparently inept
I like and agree with your reasoning and logic, Mr. ChiSoxCity.
They didn’t offer Machado $300m…
@Show Me Your Grapes
Thank God they didn’t. You guys can have Machado, thank you very much.
You are right, the Sox offered Manchado more money if he performed better and not get lazy after getting his money. Good for the White Sox giving out contracts that benefits the organization, the players and fans rather than giving $30 million to a last player with a low batting average.
Cole makes no sense, because they have so many other needs.
I would target Dallas K., and and a guy like Darvish or Roark, since they realistically need two guys given kopech and Rodin’s injuries, plus the loss of Nova.
They also need to decide what to do with Abreu, and at the very least sign a RF. They should also consider Grandal.
Signing Cole is not a good investment for such a weak roster.
Since when does adding a dominant ace with championship experience not make sense? Especially for a team loaded with young talent looking to contend.
Also, your characterization of the roster as “weak” is not only premature, it indicates a fundamental lack of understanding of the White Sox, or any rebuilding organization in general. The first priority of any rebuilding team is acquiring and developing talent, not winning games.
Moncada, Andersen, Jimenez and Giolito all have elite talent. The Sox are developing around these core players, which gives them the financial flexibility to add more talent via free agency. There is nothing weak about that. And there is more talent on the way next spring.
2019 was a rebuilding year, which means they’re still waiting on several key prospects to develop or get healthy. And frankly, they tanked this year for draft position, as any rebuilding team should do.
What MaximumVelocity lays out, this is the compromised, watered down, think small action plan White Sox management and fans have become habituated to. Think, act, execute BIG!
I completely understand the situation with the White Sox. I’m just a realist.
1) Nothing in their history suggests they are going to pony up money to sign Cole.
2) The team has massive, historically bad deficiencies around the core set of players. This includes all-time worse peformances at DH and in RF, and a massive run differential.
3) Once Robert, Madrigal and Kopech graduate, the system is largely bare outside of Walker and Vaughn, who are both in A+ . This not only means the team is going to struggle finding internal solutions to anything, they don’t have much capital to make trades in comparison to other teams. Outside of Dunning, Walker and maybe Stivers, the team has very few prospects they aren’t necessarily counting on that would bring back the types of high-end players they need to be competitive.
4) That means they need to go for breadth in free agency, as opposed to making one big splash.
I remind you that the team had an ace, and a 1A pitcher for a very long time, and they ended up trading they because the rest of the rotation and much of the roster stunk. But they did win a World Series without a true ace, because they had solid depth at all positions.
Being deep around the core is the only way this team is going to win with an owner who will not shell out big contracts.
Contreras was very much an “ace” in 2005.
As far as prospect trade bait, some of those OFs are still appealing like Basabe/Rutherford/Gonzalez/Adolfo. Collins can be moved in a heartbeat. Sheets though I like him. Fulmer is even a piece/project of value. Hanson is a live arm if he can improve command. The prep starters they just drafted is where the asks may hurt depending on how lofty the target player Sox want is.
maximumvelocity, if they go out and throw money at marginal free agents to fill the roster in the offseason (something Hahn has expressed no desire to do), they will have squandered the main advantage the rebuild gives them—financial flexibility. The money saved on young players should at some point be invested on elite free agents.
You make a lot of assumptions based on the old way the White Sox operated under Ken Williams. The direction Hahn has taken the team, charted recently by the likes of the Astros, Nats, and cubs, requires that elite players be added to insure the window of contention stays open longer than a year or two (see Kansas City). If the goal is a championship window or sustained contention, you need a proven, experienced starter like Scherzer, Verlander, or Lester was at the time.
Sure, it was considered pragmatic to avoid big contracts in lieu of spreading payroll out on three or four journeyman in the past. We now know that simply doesn’t work if sustained winning is your goal. Play close attention to the teams that get in the postseason, particularly to how their respective rosters are constructed.
For starters, the Astros and Nats were competitive long before they acquired their pitchers, because they know how to draft well and develop talent internally. They also do a solid job of hitting on smaller deals via trade or free agency, something the White Sox have failed to do. By the time Verlander arrived, the team was already poised to win a title. And they only got verlander because they had the prospect capital to get him. The Nats had already won 90 games twice.
This is Hahns seventh straight losing season. That is in large part due to poor drafts and poor deals made for veterans, and an inability to develop homegrown talent.
Again, this is why they must go outside the organization, and find a numbers of talented players, not just one. They have too many holes, and not enough capital in the minors to fill them.
What does competitive mean? A winning record and missing the playoffs every year? Been there, done that. I call it a mediocrity trap. The Nats started being a playoff team when they signed Scherzer. The cubs became a contender when they signed Lester. The Astros became a multiple WS favorite when they signed Verlander and are currently stacked with experienced dominant aces. You need dominant pitching to become a consistent playoff team, and elite pitching to win championships. Roark ain’t that, and Keuchel ain’t that either. The minute Hahn signs either one of those guys with $24MM committed to next year, everyone will know the Sox aren’t serious. Then will gave chosen to waste of this young talent on empty seats and years of yet more mediocrity ahead.
*They will have chosen to waste all of this young talent on empty seats and years of yet more mediocrity ahead.
perhaps my reply was a bit harsh, @ChiSoxCity I’m not arguing with your logic one bit, Coles mere presence would probably be a 10-15 win boost.. all I meant was he’d probably turn his nose at a franchise in the Sox’ position. After watching my Reds flounder for 15 of the last 20 seasons, I’m just frustrated with the “just wait till next year” message front offices push
I really can’t see that Cole is the key to the White Sox being contenders or not. The team already has an ace in Giolit; and, Kopech, Lopez, Cease and perhaps Rodon all show signs of having top of the rotation stuff. Obviously, adding Cole will improve any team; but, Gerrit Cole isn’t going to improve offensive production from RF and DH. Cole amassed a 7.4 WAR last season while Wheeler had a 4.7 WAR: is that difference worth 10s of millions. I’d love to Cole in a White Sox uniform; however, they’d still need to sight Martinez at DH; Dickerson in LF plus add another starter and some experience bullpen arms. Almost all of these addition will likely have to come through free agency. The question arises, is Garrit Cole worth it if signing him leaves you unable to fill other holes on your team.
The White Sox #1 need is to think, plan and execute BIG! in the off season. They are a major market team entering an exciting period. Act like it by spending for proven, high end talent that supplements areas that the young core will not fill. The thought process and history of this franchise is to over romanticize their roster and think they can obtain lesser talent and coach them up or unlock some unknown potential in them. Much is set or ready to be set (Robert in centerfield. Madrigal at second base. Vaughn perhaps after the All-Star Break or early May 2021.) but there is an outfield and DH need that I hope is not filled with Jarrod Dyson and the hope that Dan Palka just had a “bad” 2019.
Rick Hahn made a promise to Sox fans that the money would be spent this offseason. He better back it up. If he ends up bringing Wheeler or some other scrubs in here again, I’m done.
Chisox, once I can stop laughing, there is some Lake front property in the desert, I can sell to you.
Hahaha, Reinsdorf gonna spend money hahahahaha.
But Hahn, has those Mike Pence eyes, hahaha.
then make sure to keep him away from women and children
Hahn never said “this offseason”.
Yes he did, while commenting on the Sox missing out on Machado. You missed it buddy.
He said the money would be spent. Several times.
He never, ever said it would be spent “in the ’19/’20 offseason.”
I’m not your buddy.
Here’s what we know so far:
1.) The Sox currently have around $24MM committed to roster salaries in 2020.
2.) 2020 will be year four of the rebuild, and the biggest team need is quality starting pitching.
3.) Hahn has said the Sox will continue to be aggressive in the offseason.
So, given what we know, the White Sox should be prepared to make a strong offer for Gerrit Cole’s services. All this stuff about filling holes with cheaper players and Cole being from California are a sign of insecurity from my fellow Sox fans. cubs fans faced the same issues during their rebuild. They got Lester to join the club because they offered him the most money. That’s all it takes.
Chisox, I like ya, but right now you’re just setting yourself up for a whine fest talking about how cheap our ownership is when we don’t sign a huge contract. We ain’t buying no Lambos and having them sit in the repair shop, bro!
These FA guys everyone is saying we gotta get, none of them have anything to do with where the ballclub is at or its identity. It’s like I’m at the future auto show trying to explain why to my brother’s kids or something.
Smart move is bolstering our ‘stardom’ with Yasiel Puig and a trade for Trevor Bauer. These guys fit like a glove, and are perfect for the media and our young team.
You may be right about having any expectations at all for the Sox. I’ve been a fan of this team too long to buy into the okie-doke. You can’t win with marginal players anymore. Trading for pitching sets us back in other places, so that doesn’t make sense either. If they manage the roster the way they always have, they’ll simply get the same results. And I don’t want to hear about 2005. It was great, but it was a fluke. KW clearly doesn’t know how to build a winning roster.
Well, try and look at it this way. Bauer is like having another pitching coach, and we have 4 quality starters who could enjoy his presence. Puig, I admit, is kinda a dream for me, but he’s a media fest and we need to sell tickets.
The majority view here is we can solve those problems by spending $250M on some guy who probably doesn’t feel attracted about coming here, just because we have the salary space. As a Sox fan, maybe not as long as you, I think we have our own thing going here, and we don’t have to play kid brother to Boston or the Yankees anymore.
That’s your opinion. Chicago’s a great city. In regards to Cole, I doubt he gets $250MM. If the bidding gets ridiculous, the Sox should back out. I expect them to be diligent, however.
If the Astros win the World Series, I personally would not want Cole. I prefer a pitcher looking to win and not just get his paid day after coming off a World Series. It’s going to be an interesting offseason with free agents to teams wanting to move players to move contracts to rebuilding.
Palka isn’t gonna happen. Stop with the Palka already.
The White Sox are set up as good as any team looking to make the jump into contention next year. Loads of financial flexibility, nice breakout seasons from Giolito/Moncada/Anderson/Jimenez, they have even more talent in the line with Robert and Kopech returning, and their division is awful. Definitely one of the teams I’m keeping tabs on this off-season.
ChiSox have no need to shore up the right side of the infield; Sanchez is an above avg defender at 2b and a .320 OBP does not qualify him as an automatic out. As for Abreu he’s almost guaranteed to re-sign as he loves playing in Chicago and is well respected by both his fellow players and management. It would not surprise me a bit to see him finish his career with the Sox and then move into a coaches role. They also have multiple in-house options to fill that spot if the unexpected happens.
Nice try but obviously written by someone who really doesn’t know the situation in Chicago.
I love Yolmer.
He is not a starting 2b. But I would keep him as a backup to Madrigal, who has no business in AAA in the first place.
Exactly, Both he and Leury Garcia should transition to role players off the bench during the next season when Madrigal takes over at 2b and Luis Robert takes the gig in CF.
Hitting, pitching and defense?
Corey Dickerson 3 yrs 45, Gerrit Cole 7 yrs 200, Howie Kendrick 2yrs 10, and 2 relievers would make for a return to the playoffs in 2020!!
Dickerson for sure. 28.6MM a year for 7 years to a pitcher seems a bit risky but I wouldn’t be surprised if Cole gets offered more than that. The White Sox need to solidify their rotation; but they don’t necessarily need to over-commit to an ace in order to put together a winning staff. The likes of Wheeler or Miley won’t cost nearly as much and would still represent a major improvement over Covey and Detwiller. With Madrigal certain to arrive by May 2020, there’s no need for Kendrick. The pressing need is for an experienced DH. JD Martinez is the perfect fit. He’s 32, which is still prime for a full time DH and Martinez is great at sharing hitting knowledge with younger players. Betts, Bogaerts, and Devers have all praised Martinez for his help with their approach to hitting. If JD does opt out, as expected, the market for him will be a small one. No National League team and no AL teams who already have a DH or are in the early stages of a rebuild. The White Sox are in a position to top all other bidders.
The Cincy-Indians-Padres trade is everything we could’ve hoped for, IMO.
I agree making a match with free agents will likely yield RF/CF Puig.
We need a starting pitcher, but no way we go to free agency for it! Get real. We will make a trade. I’m taking Bauer.
We could use a RP, not two.
DH is a luxury I don’t think we’ll spend on, we have a glut of good hitters breaking in next year and they can split time at position or DH the entire season.
Suggestion: If you as a site are going to write a detailed article about team needs you might want to consider hiring writers who have at least a basic understanding of that particular club.
As a blatant example here, your take on the White Sox needing to seek a long term answer OR short term fix to solve their 2B problem is ludicrous. They have one in house: Nick Madrigal, a player they invested a first round pick in 15 months ago who is clearly MLB ready with his bat, glove, legs and perhaps most importantly his high baseball IQ. baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mad…
Furthermore, to even suggest the White Sox bypass Madrigal in favor of shifting Yoan Moncada back to his old position is equally absurd. Moncada thrived this season at the plate and in the infield when the White Sox moved him off of the more mentally demanding position of 2B to the more instinctive one at 3B. Moncada was never winning a Gold Glove at the keystone position but may one day at the hot corner.
Meanwhile, Madrigal will be a perennial Gold Glove candidate at 2B as well as a contender for numerous batting titles with his uncanny ability to put the ball in play. If you don’t believe me just check out his stats as a pro thus far that includes a mere 5 errors in 147 games played at 2B along with just 21 strikeouts in his first 705 PA’s across 4 different levels.
I clearly made mention of Nick Madrigal in the piece & said he might not be far from the majors, You don’t need to tell me who he is.
You are also responsible for writing: “Even more concerns are in the offing at second, though the White Sox will struggle to find a long-term solution there in free agency” and then followed it up with a long list of potential long and short term fixes to their 2B “problem”.
You couldn’t stop there either, going on to suggest the White Sox think about signing free agent 3B Anthony Rendon and move Yoan Moncada back to his old position. We can all see just how popular Nick Madrigal is in your White Sox “vision” as their future second baseman. You reek of being yet another sabermetric geek like ESPN’s Keith Law who has continually downplayed Madrigal’s prospect value because he prefers “launch angle” and “exit velocity” in his prospects above any tried and true traditional stats that also help create excellent MLB players.
They would struggle to find a long-term option in free agency, as any team in need of a 2B would. The best options are 30-somethings. I also wrote: “The fact that any of those players would just be a Band-Aid for the White Sox might not be the worst thing in the world, as 22-year-old Nick Madrigal (another of their enviable prospects) progressed to the Triple-A level this season and shouldn’t be far from a big league promotion.” Beyond me why you’re acting as if I ignored Madrigal. Keith Law’s resume in baseball is pretty solid, by the way, so I don’t mind the comparison.
@Aaron Sapoznik
You go Aaron! I agree with everything you say.
@Connor Byrne
Why would you even bother talking about a long-term option for 2B in free agency when they have that covered with Madrigal. That’s what Aaron was getting at. With Madrigal at 2B, you have Yolmer sliding back into the bench/utility role. By the way, I don’t understand how you consider Yolmer an almost guaranteed out at the plate. He’s hitting .250 on the year with a .320 OBP. Yes, he’s not Ty Cobb at the plate, but you make it out like he’s been Palka at the plate this year.
If it were me, I’d sign Madrigal to the same type deal Hahn gave Eloy this Spring and have him the Opening Day 2B (I’d do the same with Robert, but that’s just me). Just because the Sox have a ton of money available this Winter doesn’t mean they should spend foolishly, and spending on those guys when you have Madrigal available anywhere from Opening Day to early May would be foolish.
I fully believe Madrigal’s ready to start Opening Day. In fact, I thought he was ready to come up before Sept. So to me, his readiness is not an issue. And if he’s not up Opening Day, Yolmer’s more than capable manning 2B until Madrigal comes up. Even if the Sox got rid of Yolmer this Winter, Mendick could man 2B until Madrigal comes up.
You don’t think Madrigal’s the answer, do you. Between mentioning the 2B F/A’s and moving Yoan back to 2B to get Rendon, these don’t sound like ringing endorsements for Madrigal. By the way, I can’t see them getting Rendon, a Boras client, especially when 3B (or 2B for that matter) isn’t a need for the Sox. On offense, the Sox need a RF (or CF and move Robert to RF) and a short-term 1B/DH (assuming they keep Abreu) for ’20 until Vaughn is ready, which will either be in ’20 or early ’21.
There’s nothing wrong with having a place holder who’s a good, if not great defender at 2b, and (contrary to what you wrote) is not an automatic out. You’re attempting to fix something that isn’t broke.
I actually do agree that calling Sanchez an auto-out was unfair. I’m going to change the wording on that.
@Connor Byrne
Nicely done.
I think Yolmer’s a good utility bench IF, that’s his calling in a MLB uniform. He would be OK starting when one of the others are on the IL for 2 to 3 weeks, but not a starting IF the entire year.
No need to give Madrigal as large a contract as Eloy. The arb system won’t reward him as much as it would Jimenez.
And Robert doesn’t need the security of a long term contract, if he invested his bonus wisely.
Connor Byrne: Yes. Keith Law, a former Special Assistant to the GM automatically makes him an expert baseball analyst just like Jim Bowden has become one as an even higher ranking actual former GM. If they were so great at their previous MLB jobs it makes you wonder why they had to settle on becoming baseball pundits. With Law it probably meant a quicker pay raise than sticking it out as a potential front office executive. As for Bowden, he started off with a bang in MLB and finished with a fizzle before getting a job at ESPN.
My problem with Law is that he puts too much emphasis into advanced analytics and not enough into other aspects of evaluating talent. This is no surprise considering his first professional job was writing for Baseball Prospectus.
As an amateur baseball fanatic my résumé certainly doesn’t match either gentlemen with their professional dossiers. Your’s either, no doubt. What I can state with some confidence is that as a die-hard fan of both Chicago baseball teams since the early 1960’s I have actually witnessed more MLB games than any of you have individually and probably collectively as well.
I also became a fan of the game when it was still considered our “National Pastime”. Since that time baseball has taken a backseat to the NFL and some of that just might have to do with the way the game has changed including too much reliance on advanced analytics over the past 40+ years. It started with Bill James, morphed into “Moneyball” and is at a point now where virtually every MLB front office is run by analytic nerds with college degrees instead of baseball lifers. College kids with business degrees are replacing men who actually played the game as professionals, worked their way up the ladder into coaching, managing with some reaching the pinnacle as GM’s. What has all of this netted in the long run?
Some may call me a dinosaur but fact is I have always been in love with stats since collecting baseball cards as a kid growing up. I bought all of the baseball preview magazines every winter, had subscriptions to baseball publications like The Sporting News and Baseball America before the advent of the internet and now continue on-line accounts with Fangraphs, etc. No one appreciates advanced stats as much as I do. I just don’t want numbers to be the end-all solution to a game I have loved for 55+ years. Baseball has slowly transitioned from a game that was graceful with its own unique pace to one that has become more irregular and tedious due to micro-managing that is based on too advanced analytics.
I long for the game to return to its glory days and not be run like some fantasy baseball game. That said, I’m also all-in for advanced technology like the laser strike zone that would put an end to the sports biggest judgement call and set the game apart from any other sport where eliminating theirs is virtually impossible. I welcome a technology that allows the players to determine the outcome of a game. I don’t welcome a technology that has computers dictating outcomes to the extent they are now.
Like you, Aaron, I’m not a big Bowden fan. However, Law’s one of the most respected prospect evaluators out there, and I tend to agree with him far more often than I do Bowden. So, I always at least listen to what Law has to say regarding the game.. If you don’t, that’s fine. I respect where you’re coming from.
rayrayner: With a moniker like yours I assume you are no longer a spring chicken like myself. However, your post very much sounds like one I’d expect out of a young sabermetric geek. In my baseball universe, if both Eloy Jimenez and Nick Madrigal reach their lofty ceilings they would each be worthy of huge arbitration awards. The White Sox extended Jimenez with that in mind and would be wise to do likewise with Madrigal. Even from an advanced analytical viewpoint they might be comparable in terms of WAR since Madrigal’s ceiling appears to be that of a 4-tool stud with Jimenez looking like a superb 2-tool player. How much more monetary and WAR value would Jimenez earn as a perennial .300 hitting/4o HR bat compared to Madrigal’s’+.300 stick, 30 SB’s and Gold Glove defense at 2B?
As for Luis Robert, his ceiling as a legitimate 5-tool talent would trump both Jimenez and Madrigal. To suggest he doesn’t need the security of a long term contract because of his $26M international signing bonus is absurd. If Robert fulfills his enormous potential he would most assuredly be worthy of a huge payday in arbitration and eventually free agency. With that capability it would certainly behoove the White Sox to consider offering Robert a contract extension in excess of anything they might consider for Madrigal and have already given Jimenez.
1) Dickerson makes the most sense for RF if they aren’t looking to make a trade – I still wouldn’t hate buying low on Mazara. Robert is clearly going to be the CF after a couple weeks pass by – they’ll be fine with Leury until then.
2) Go throw Machad0-money at Cole.
3) I’m 100% sure Abreu will be back for at least 1 more year (probably 2 or 3). He’ll be the first baseman until Vaughn is ready. As with CF, it’s pretty clear that Madrigal will be up early next year. I don’t even know why this comment was made – “Even more concerns are in the offing at second, though the White Sox will struggle to find a long-term solution there in free agency.” The only way they’re looking for a long-term solution at 2B is if Madrigal suffers a career ending injury during the offseason.
1) I believe the White Sox will try and secure their future core RF/left-handed bat via a trade first before settling on a free agent like Corey Dickerson. Last offseason target Joc Pederson only has one more year of arbitration eligibility remaining now before he hits free agency in 2021. If I’m Rick Hahn, I would focus on Pederson’s teammate Alex Verdugo this winter who is just 23, comes with 5-years of team control and won’t be arb eligible until 2022. Verdugo would provide the White Sox with another high contact bat to join Nick Madrigal’s in 2020 and Andrew Vaughn in 2021. He also profiles nicely in RF with a cannon arm. He won’t come cheap but the Dodgers do have a surplus of lefty hitting OF’s on their MLB depth chart.
Another team with a seeming surplus of left-handed hitting OF’s are the Mets who could be in for a big shake up this winter. Michael Conforto and Brandon Nimmo could be White Sox targets from NY this offseason. There could be other clubs as well including their local neighbors to the north if Theo dares to hook up with Hahn yet again.
2) We both know that FA Gerrit Cole won’t be coming to the Southside of Chicago anytime soon. The Newport Beach, Ca native who still calls that city on the Pacific home will almost certainly land a lucrative contract with an area team. My money is on the Angels whose Orange County home in Anaheim is just a 20-minute drive away. I also don’t believe the White Sox are prepared to forfeit their high second round pick and $500k of international signing bonus dollars to land a SP this offseason who will have a QO attached to him. That would also include Madison Bumgarner. A more realistic target would be a cheaper veteran lefty like Dallas Keuchel who can’t be tagged along with Wade Miley who likely won’t be.
3) Yes, Jose Abreu will almost certainly be returning to the White Sox in 2020, likely even longer with a deal in the 3-year range. He will keep 1B warm for Andrew Vaughn and eventually transition to more DH duty in 2022 and 2023. As for 2B, this site made a serious error by even suggesting the White Sox need to find their future 2B outside the organization. Clearly that player is Nick Madrigal.
2) Players go to teams offering the best contract. Whether it’s highest AAV, or longest term. Period.
Which teams from among the White Sox, Angels, Dodgers and Padres have that track record which you speak of? Clearly the White Sox are a distant 4th in that group and nothing will change when it comes to Gerrit Cole. All offers being relatively equal, Cole lands with the Angels.
Jerry Reinsdorf will not engage in a bidding war with Arte Moreno, nor should he. That money would be better spent on a solid SP who won’t break the bank, another veteran for the bullpen, perhaps their next RF, maybe a catcher like Yasmani Grandal or an extension for James McCann along with a reasonable deal to retain FA Jose Abreu this offseason.
The White Sox should also continue with their successful policy of locking up their best young players and prospects to extensions that would avoid arbitration and perhaps buy out a year or two of free agency as well. That list might include Lucas Giolito, Yoan Moncada, Luis Robert and Nick Madrigal this offseason. Dylan Cease might be another possibility with his name surfacing in reports regarding an extension during the past year well ahead of his actual MLB debut.
The White Sox follow your instructions, it’ll be a seven year rebuild. And any success they have will be solely dependent upon most of the prospects emerging as star players. They may have a short one or two year window of contention, if there ever relevant at all. The Sox would essentially be a Twins/Royals/Indians clone. That’s not a business model that works in the third largest media market in the US.
Okay, at first i just thought you were just some resentful old dude who won’t be satisfied until White Sox open their pocketbooks. Now I realize you got Cub all over ya. Come on say it, say Chatwood, say Kimbrel, Darvish, Cishek, Derek “F*ing” Holland (aka send in the clowns)?
Sure, let’s take your sage financial guidance.
Huh?
Gerrit Cole would obviously be a great addition to the White Sox rotation but there’s certain to be a bidding war for his services that quickly reaches the level of “stupid” money. In Giolito the Sox already have their ace and from among Kopech, Rodon, Lopez and Cease there is a good possibility that a second ace will emerge during 2020. A couple of less expensive, experienced starters (Wood, MadBum, Ordorizzi, Pineda or ever Brent Anderson) who could eat innings and give the team a chance to win most outings would solidify the rotation. This team won over 70 games and played .500 baseball the first half while getting almost no offensive production from RF, DH and 2nd base while their 4th and 5th starters through AAA level stuff. Stick JD Martinez at DH, Puig in right add a couple of starting pitchers with WAR’s or 2.0 or higher and winning an additional 15 or 20 games (and earning a WC spot) seems well within reach.
3) Players go to teams offering the best contract. Whether it’s highest AAV, ot longest term. Period.
Sign Rendon 5yrs $200M, sign Cole to 5yrs $225M, resign Jose Abreu 2yrs $25-30M and then move Yoan Moncada to RF. Replace Renteria him with Omar Vizquel.
A: A new front office. Kenny WIlliams needs to go.
B: Maddon is available next year. Cubs media just doesn’t like 4 winning seasons in a row. Renteria just isn’t lucky
Cleveland is faltering, KC wont compete for a while and neither will Detroit. Minnesotta has another fluke team. Sox are a year or two away from competing.
I disagree with the Twins being a fluke. They need starting pitching but they have money and a very good farm system.
All the Twins do is hit HRs. They score a lot, but don’t pitch well and play lousy defense.
Conner Brynne you need to stop writing about the chisox, this exposed your ignorance about the team.
Sox fans- you need to write more articles about the Sox
Also sox fans- you need to stop writing articles about the Sox cause you don’t know anything
*Go hard for signing MadBum right away and don’t let the 2nd rd pick get in the way. More realistic. Try for Cole of course, but odds are slim and that bidding war will drag out. Get a 2nd starter this offseason and operate under assumption neither Rodon nor Lopez will be l-t rotation pieces. If they suddenly realize potential/consistency, bonus.
*Kick tires on trade for lefty bat Blackmon to play RF if Joc P too steep trade demands or want more than stopgap FA Dickerson. They could use a solid veteran and natural leader to supplement TA/Madrigal that have those motors. Sinking COL could use some prospects and negotiate balance contract $ willing to absorb.
*Bullpen arms like everyone.
The realistic targets should be Dallas K., Grandal and Puig, in addition to keeping Abreu. And some no 4 starter. They have too many needs to break the bank with one major signing.
They are bottom 5 in payroll this year and have under $24M committed next year at this point. They have plenty of room to “break the bank” on someone like Cole and add supplemental pieces around him if they want to.
In theory, Cole/Robert/Madrigal are SUBSTANTIAL improvements over Detweiler/any RF they have/Yolmer (yes, I know Robert will play CF, but he’ll replace one of the garbage RF’s on the roster). Realistically, they aren’t going to compete next year if Robert and Madrigal aren’t above average major leaguers.
They’re still going to be relying on a ton of young players improving, which is exactly what they should be doing at this point. I know everyone is getting antsy, but they don’t need to force anything yet. They have young talent at or near the major league level at every position but RF. Let the kids develop. They’re a heck of a lot closer to turning into something legit than most 70-win teams.
Priggs I’m filling a mock 26 man roster for next season, and it’s getting tough to justify more than 2-3 MLB level outside signings.
I agree. But they aren’t going to do it. Or at least, whatever they offer is going to be bested by another team.
They can probably add Keuchel, Grandal in the range of 3 for 50-60, and Puig and another lower tier starter in the range of 3 for 40-45. And all of them would represent SIGNIFICANT upgrades over what they currently have on roster.
I am a believer in Robert and Madrigal as well, and I’m accounting for them making the roster. But they are well past the point of just sitting back and waiting for guys to develop. Anderson, Giolito, Moncada and Jimenez at end all performed at an All-Star level, and the team is still going to likely win less than 70 games. Why? Because they were awful in RF, CF, DH and offensively at 2B, and ran out a bunch of guys who were No. 5 starters or worse in the rotation. Thinking that you are going to solve all of those issues by waiting is bad business, especially given that the team has a poor track record with guys coming off of TJS.
They need to add talent, and a lot of it, and its going to have to come through free agency.
Yours and Priggs are the most informed posts in this thread. I think the writer did a fine job in the limited space he has. The Sox are bad in a lot of different areas not mentioned specifically such as power, OBP .too many K’s , and too right handed. and bench depth. He did a good job mentioning guys the Sox COULD target. There are all kinds of ways the Sox can go. The only other guy I’d mention is Scooter Gennett.
The current 40 man and even the 25 man roster is filled with trash and sorry Yolmer and Leury lovers that includes them. Yolmer has no power , low OPS , good glove and baseball IQ. He is no answer as a starter in case of injury and injuries happen, Same thing with Leury only he’s terrible fundamentally and baseball IQ is weak and doesn’t walk. Have to move on from the past.. They both K way too much also.
Now the Sox can go a few different ways and the Rendon suggestion was one way they COULD go. . Moncada COULD play 2nd base again or Rendon can but if you are a free agent looking for a great deal you probably don’t want to switch positions. So more than likely the Sox still could upgrade at 2nd base with more versatile guys like , Gennett, Holt or Kendrick. Saying that does not mean he or we don’t believe in Madrigal
It justs means you are allowing for the possibility that Madrigal might not be an instant star. Same thing can be said about Robert , Kopech Cease , Dunning when he comes back .
The main question is how long can you wait for the youngsters to reach a contenders level of performance. Do the Sox really want to win next year or is 2021 the more realistic year? I think some of you don’t realize the talent level needed on the whole 25 man roster to win a World Series. Grandal,Holt,Kendrick Moustakas,Gennett and Dickerson should all be considered highly as targets to improve the LH hitting , power ,versatility and depth needs the Sox currently have.. Those are all guys who are or might be free agents. Trades where the Sox spend the small amount of depth left in the minors should be a last resort. I’d do the obligatory due diligence on all 3 of the Mets LH OF’s (Nimmo being the most realistic for defense, speed ,OBP, 3 years of control and a decent chance he bounces back from injuries). If any of the Minor League OF’s blossom they can be used for trade bait or Nimmo could be traded..
2 decent starting pitchers, especially a near ace, also are a high priority since no one should expect Kopech, Cease or Lopez to be anywhere close to dominant or given their innings limitations have enough gas left to pitch in the post season.With 2 more good starting pitcher and with Rodon and Dunning coming back in June/July that would provide some starting or even relief pitching depth after the All Star break.
Basically what the Sox lack is a whole lot of talent and they need to get a lot of it this off season if 2021 is the true realistic goal of making the playoffs. You cannot afford to wait on the youngsters or spending on the talent next off season alone. The time to upgrade the talent in all facets that the Sox are lacking is now..
They should break the bank to a degree with pitching now. Certainly have the money. Abreu 1-2yrs max until Vaughn ready and McCann 1-2yr extension beyond 2020 can be done at reasonable price to plug the entire infield. OF just need a RF (lefty bat preferable).
Historically, the White Sox don’t like offering money to guys coming off contract years who performed well the last two years but were mediocre in their careers. This past offseason was interesting with the meetings with Harper and Manchado. The White Sox made offers to them but Harper would have made more sense that Manchado at the time. However, the Sox refused to give these guys over ten years with no team options and there was nothing wrong with that as a business move for a team. Manchado’s contract was definitely show me the money with the Padres while Harper’s contract with the Phillies was good short term but long term he may be on the DL a lot when he gets older.
Shore up the Right Side of the Infield: You mean, 2B? In truth, Tim Anderson should try to play 2B and a better defender play at SS. Anderson doesn’t have great range and makes too many errors.
The ChiSox also need a 4th OF and a better DH option. However, their biggest need is the same as the rest of MLB. PITCHING.
Did you just say Anderson doesn’t have great range…? woof
I can’t believe that no one has yet mentioned the rumor that JD Martinez opts out of his 3yr/62.5MM remaining contract with BoSox and lands with the White Sox for something like 4yr/100MM. Martinez can no longer play RF on anything like a regular basis but adding him as DH wouldn’t break the bank and allow the White Sox to sign a left-hander for RF. Adding Martinez and either Corey Dickerson or Kole Calhoun along with resigning Abreu and the graduation of Robert and Madrigal basically completes the White Sox offensive line up. There’d be ample money left, if not for Cole, for second tier SP free agents such as Alex Wood or Odorizzi.