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Jared's Offseason Plan

Arbitration-eligible (with projected salaries from MLBTR):

Write "tender" or "non-tender" after each of the following names. Note that you can trade before or after tendering a contract, and that players can also be extended.

With the continuing development of Yoan Moncada and the arrival of Luis Robert by 2020, keeping a Cuban leader like Abreu in the clubhouse will pay dividends for their developments. I also expect continued offensive production from Abreu even with a growing DH role. Putnam and Petricka are too much of a risk to keep on payroll with their injuries. No need to keep Alburquerque.

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

Elaborate if needed:

No need to keep Soto with Narvaez and Smith handling the workload. I can think of a few better uses of $8M as well.

Free agents

No. 1: Ubaldo Jimenez (one year, $4M). Coop will fix him, Hahn will flip him. A veteran starter with a history of success to bolster a young rotation will go a long way with the young guys’ development.

No. 2: Eric O’Flaherty (two years, $4M). LOOGY.

No. 3: Bud Norris (one year, $1.5M). Could be a cheap closer that will keep us sane as the Sox take seldom leads to the bullpen.

No. 4: John Jaso (two years, $4M). A lefty bat who can take some of the load off of Abreu at first and also DH. I see Jaso and Davidson switching off at DH based on pitching matchups. At 34 and coming off a year batting .211 he would be a cheap veteran option. The dreadlocks are kind of cool too.

No. 5: Jorge De La Rosa (one year, $2M). Lefty out of the bullpen well past his prime, with experience as a starter. Would be useful in extended relief appearances or spot starts.

Trades

None, I do not see any trades happening until the summer.

Summary

1) 3B – Yolmer Sanchez ($.5M)

2) 2B – Yoan Moncada ($.5M)

3) 1B – Jose Abreu ($20M)

4) DH – John Jaso/Matt Davidson ($2M/$.5M)

5) RF – Avi Garcia ($6.7M)

6) LF – Nicky Delmonico ($.5M)

7) C – Kevan Smith/Omar Narvaez ($.5M/$.5M)

8) SS – Tim Anderson ($1M)

9) CF – Leury Garcia ($1.2M)

Bench: Jaso/Davidson, Smith/Narvaez, Adam Engel ($.5M) or Charlie Tilson ($.5M), Tyler Saladino ($.5M)

SP’s – James Shields ($10M), Ubaldo Jimenez ($4M), Lucas Giolito ($.5M), Reynaldo Lopez ($.5M), Carson Fulmer ($.5M)

RP’s – Juan Minaya ($.5M), Gregory Infante ($.5M), Danny Farquhar ($1.5M), Eric O’Flaherty ($2M), Bud Norris (Closer) ($1.5M), Jorge De La Rosa ($2M), Tyler Danish ($.5M)

Total 2018 Payroll = About $60M

In the words of Lil Dicky, Save Dat Money. Splurge in free agency after the 2018 season and compete in 2019 going forward. Maybe this team could pull a 2017 Twins and snag a wild card spot. However, I see a third place team at best.

Projected Record: 74 – 88

Go Sox

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