While the end of the 2020 season was heartbreaking, perhaps the playoff loss was the perfect storm the White Sox needed to take that final step. With Renteria and Cooper relieved of their duties and money coming off the books, Rick Hahn and company have a unique opportunity to add on to a young core that was already one of the best teams in the American League.
The messaging has been clear from the start of the rebuild that once the contending window is open, it will be time to win at all costs. There is no longer any doubt that it is now time, and fans are ready for the south side to have a championship caliber squad. The only way to take that step is by adding adding championship caliber talent to fill even the smallest of holes around an exceptional young core.
Manager - A.J. Hinch, 4-years $24 Million
Hinch returning from his suspension to manage again couldn't come at a better time for the White Sox. While he comes with his flaws, his time in Houston gained him post-season and championship experience that cannot be taken away. He has proven to understand pitching and bullpen management, and has consistently been an implementer of analytics in his clubhouses. The pros far outweigh the cons with Hinch because he helps you do the only thing that matters. Win.
Arbitration-eligible (with projected salaries from MLBTR):
(all estimates presume a full season and no prorated salaries, as in 2020)
- Nomar Mazara, $5.9 million - non-tender
- Yolmer Sánchez, $2 million - non-tender
- Adam Engel, $1.4 million - tender, established his value as a bench bat and defensive replacement in the outfield during 2020.
- Carlos Rodón, $4.55 million - non-tender
- Lucas Giolito, $5.3 million - tender, I'd imagine the Sox try to get an extension done here eventually. Who knows if it's done by Opening Day.
- Reynaldo López, $2.2 million - tender, while his starting days seem over, Lopez and his big arm may still have some trade value or a place in the Sox bullpen.
- Evan Marshall, $1.9 million - tender, consistent back-end reliever with flexibility to throw anytime in the game if needed. No brainer.
- Jace Fry, $1 million - tender, had a bounce-back 2020 season. Will provide some depth going forward as a lefty specialist.
Impending Free Agents
- Alex Colomé (2020 salary: $10,532,500) - cut loose. Many young emerging arms in the bullpen and a deep free agent class for relief pitching makes me really doubt the likelihood of seeing Alex Colomé return. He will get paid big bucks somewhere, and I'm not sure the Sox bullpen will even notice.
- James McCann (2020 salary: $5.4 million) - cut loose. While I'm sure most Sox fans, players, and coaches would love to see James McCann back in black next season, McCann is going to want the playing time and money of the All-star catcher he has become. With Yasmani Grandal locked up for three more years and Andrew Vaughn looming to take the 1B/DH spot, I anticipate watching McCann walk in order to become an everyday guy elsewhere.
- Jarrod Dyson (2020 salary: $2 million) - cut loose.
Team Contract Options
- Edwin Encarnación (2021 salary: $12 million) - Decline
- Gio González (2021 salary: $7 million) - Decline
- Leury García (2021 salary: $3.5 million) - Pick up. Much like Engel, Leury García is an incredibly valuable guy to have on a contending team's bench. He is well rounded, versatile in the field, and great in the clubhouse. He will be back.
Free agents
Marcus Stroman (four years, $85 million). An alternative to the highly sought after Bauer, Stroman would instantly make the White Sox staff better. He provides a clubhouse jolt, energy, and a legit third starter in a rotation that had question marks all over just last year. He would also come cheaper than Bauer, allowing for a bit of savings that can be spent elsewhere.
Shane Greene (two years, $16 million). Greene is everything the Sox need in a replacement for Alex Colomé. He is experienced in various roles in a bullpen, he has pitched in the playoffs many times, and he has the swing and miss stuff to change the way opposing lineups view your bullpen. A short term deal to Greene can seriously sure up a good, but young White Sox bullpen.
Marcell Ozuna (three years, $54 million). With the Nomar Mazara experiment coming back a bust, Rick Hahn will once again be searching for the team's right fielder this winter. Although his outfield defense is a negative, Ozuna flat out rakes. Adam Engel can occasionally slide into right field when Ozuna goes to DH, and don't forget that there's always a panther patrolling near by. Marcell Ozuna is just a perfect fit for this team and this lineup, and somehow makes the team a lot scarier.
Trades
RHP Caleb Freeman and OF Bryce Bush to the Pittsburgh Pirates for C Jacob Stallings. With McCann departing and question marks surrounding the future of Zack Collins in Chicago, it would not surprise me to see the Sox acquire a veteran catcher in a trade to backup Yasmani Grandal. Stallings is a career backup with an average to below-average bat, but at 6'5" is a huge target and wonderful defender behind the plate that can replace McCann and help get the most of your pitching staff. The rebuilding Pirates, coming off of the worst record in Major League Baseball would get back a young arm with a high grade fastball and a project outfielder.
Summary - Opening Day Roster
With all the moves listed, this is the projected team come Opening Day. This roster has a beautiful balance of veteran leadership, and the young exciting core. It will allow for development and experience while leaving very little holes. Not pictured is depth in the minor leagues and potential impact players that will taste the big leagues throughout the 20201 season, a true indicator of a roster capable of winning it all.
LINEUP
1. Tim Anderson, SS
2. Yoan Moncada, 3B
3. Luis Robert, CF
4. Jose Abreu, 1B
5. Eloy Jimenez, LF
6. Yasmani Grandal, C
7. Marcell Ozuna, RF
8. Andrew Vaughn, DH
9. Nick Madrigal, 2B
BENCH
Leury Garcia, Adam Engel, Jacob Stallings, Danny Mendick
ROTATION
1- Lucas Giolito, RHP
2- Dallas Keuchel, LHP
3- Marcus Stroman, RHP
4- Dylan Cease, RHP
5- Dane Dunning, RHP
BULLPEN
Shane Greene, RHP
Aaron Bummer, LHP
Evan Marshall, RHP
Codi Heuer, RHP
Matt Foster, RHP
Michael Kopech, RHP
Jace Fry, LHP
Garret Crochet, LHP