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TJ's Offseason Plan

TJ’s Offseason Plan

Arbitration-eligible (with projected salaries from MLBTR):

  • Todd Frazier, $13.5M - Tender
  • Brett Lawrie, $5.1M - Tender
  • Avisail Garcia, $3.5M - Non-tender
  • Miguel Gonzalez, $2.6M - Tender
  • Dan Jennings, $1.2M - Tender
  • J.B. Shuck, $1M - Non-tender, sign to minor league deal
  • Jake Petricka, $900K - Tender
  • Zach Putnam, $900K - Tender
  • Daniel Webb, $600K - Non-tender

Contract options (pick up or buy out)

  • Matt Albers: $3M for 2017 or a $250,000 buyout - Buyout

Impending free agents (re-sign, let go or qualifying offer)

  • Austin Jackson: Made $5 million in 2016. - Let Go
  • Alex Avila: Made $2.5 million in 2016. - Let Go
  • Justin Morneau: Made $1 million in 2016, although he signed during the season. - Let Go

Free agents

No. 1: Mark Melancon CP (3 years, $40M). With Robertson being traded, the Sox will need a closer. Last year, Melancon converted 47/51 saves and had a 1.64 ERA. He has been a top-tier closer the past couple of years, and I believe he continue to be one for the next few years. Melancon may not be an Aroldis Chapman, but he is just as effective as a closer.

No. 2: Andrew Cashner SP (1 year, $8M). Cashner is a talented pitcher, who has front-of-the-rotation stuff but has never been able to control it. His health has also been a problem, and he has not yet reached his potential. The pitching market is weak, and I believe the Sox should take a chance on him, hoping Coop can fix him.

No. 3: Brett Cecil LHP (2 years, $10M). The Sox need another lefty in the bullpen besides Jennings. Cecil is a good option.

Trades

No. 1: Trade Chris Sale to the Red Sox for Yoan Moncada, Andrew Benintendi, and Michael Kopech. The Sox are going to have to get a haul for Sale, and I believe they shouldn't get anything less than this. The Red Sox get a true lefty ace, that will help their already good pitching rotation, in order for them to be contenders in 2017. The Sox pickup arguably the #1 prospect in baseball, Yoan Moncada, and another top 5 prospect, Andrew Benintendi, to help make their team young. Both guys are MLB ready, and will head right for the majors. A Tim Anderson and Yoan Moncada middle infield will be entertaining for many years to come.

No. 2: Trade Michael Kopech, Trey Michalczewski, Alex Call, and Brett Lawrie to the Diamondbacks for Jake Lamb. The Diamondbacks have one of the worst farm systems in the MLB. Trading Lamb, will help bring three young prospects for the future. Pitching is a major priority for the Diamondbacks this offseason, and adding the hard throwing Kopech, who touched 105 mph with his fastball, and has a ton of potential, will help. The Diamondbacks also have a young Brandon Drury that can take over at 3B. Lamb had a breakout season last year, hitting 29 home runs along with 91 RBIs. Although Lamb recorded 2o errors last year, and his fielding may be a flaw, his big bat will help improve the lineup.

No. 3: Trade Carson Fulmer, Melky Cabrera, David Robertson, Adam Engel, and Alec Hansen to the Marlins for Christian Yelich and J.T. Realmuto. As much as I hate to give up Fulmer, this trade is worth it. With the tragic death of Jose Fernandez, and the below average farm system of the Miami Marlins, they need starting pitching and bullpen depth. The big need of the Marlins this offseason is filled with the young pitchers of Carson Fulmer and Alec Hansen who have the potential to be great starters. Melky Cabrera can replace Yelich, and Engel is another young OF to help their farm system. David Robertson also adds the need of bullpen depth for 2017. The catching position has always been weak for the White Sox, but J.T. Realmuto will help out. The 25 year old hit .303 in 2016 along with 11 home runs and 48 RBIs, and I believe he will only get better. Christian Yelich would be the biggest pickup of the off season. Yelich is a great overall player who is only 24 years old, with speed, good plate discipline, .300 batting average, 20+ home run power, and gold glove defense. Who wouldn't want a young player like this?

No. 4: Trade James Shields, Tyler Danish, and Micker Adolfo to the Cardinals for Michael Wacha. The Cardinals pickup two starting pitchers, one of them being a young prospect. They also improve their need in the OF, with a good young prospect in Adolfo. The former All-Star had a somewhat rough season last year. I believe that Wacha will have a bounce back year in 2017. He went 17-7 with a 3.38 ERA in 2015, earning him a place on the NL All-Star team. Wacha is only 25 years old with a ton of talent and potential, and I think he is a good fit in this White Sox rotation.

2017 Chicago White Sox

Lineup:

1) Adam Eaton RF

2) Christian Yelich LF

3) Jose Abreu 1B

4) Todd Frazier 3B

5) Jake Lamb DH

6) Tim Anderson SS

7) Andrew Benintendi CF

8) J.T. Realmuto C

9) Yoan Moncada 2B

Bench:

Tyler Saladino UTIL

Omar Narvaez C

Charlie Tilson OF

Matt Davidson 3B

Rotation:

1) Jose Quintana LHP

2) Carlos Rodon LHP

3) Michael Wacha RHP

4) Andrew Cashner RHP

5) Miguel Gonzalez RHP

Bullpen:

CL) Mark Melancon RHP

SU) Nate Jones RHP

SU) Zack Burdi RHP

MR) Dan Jennings LHP

MR) Brett Cecil LHP

MR) Zach Putnam RHP

MR) Jake Petricka RHP


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