SouthSideGeorgia

Have to have Lopez back. Him logging starts and innings as the #5 starter keep Keuchel hopefully below the 160 innings threshold that kicks off another year on his contract (at $20 million). Unless he returns to Cy Young form which nobody expects, we need not add to his contract.

The only trends to take from the regular season was how our starters performed against HOU, and Cease and Lynn had very bad performances there. Rodon had two great performances against the Astros and Giolito also had one great one at home. Also, the Astros starting pitching performed very well against the Sox, especially in HOU. However, we were down about a third of our current batting order. So hopefully, Robert, Jimenez, and a revitalized Grandal have a different outcome this time around.

https://www.mlb.com/whitesox/roster/transactions

Looks like Zavala has struggled more lately and is batting 0.187 on the season. But Collins is even worse at Charlotte, batting 0.143. And it seemed like Tony prefers Zavala’s glove. (Although rumors of Seby’s better defense is at best, arguable).

Any insight into the Seby and Collins decision? Is it as simple as lefty v. Righty or something more? I mean at the end of the day, we need to ride the hot bat of Grandal… Nice to have Giolito back. Just need Timmy and Engel.

I really liked Lambert’s stuff for a start last night. Obviously, he has to build on it. Come next season, Lambert may have a future on the Sox if he continues to improve… although it may be from the bullpen. Same with Lopez.

Does any one have a list of the White Sox players in the minors that are Rule 5 eligible going into the offseason? I guess Romy Gonzalez's promotion got me thinking about Rule 5 eligibility. I know Micker Adolfo is another player who would qualify for Rule 5 if he wasn't on the 40-man. Thanks for any help...

I would imagine Burdi could get picked up as a 99-mph throwing lottery ticket from one of the basement MLB teams. Take a chance on a former first rounder while your team is bad.

Looking at it, Mercedes probably doesn’t make sense since his DH spot or PH spot competes with the Eloy/Vaughn OF/DH spot, unless you want both of them in the field at the same time in LF and RF. Which would affect Adam Engel’s playing time. I think we all can probably agree we trust Engle over Mercedes offensively lately. And we definitely trust Engel and Vaughn more defensively than Mercedes and Jimenez. So you’re probably right, Mercedes doesn’t really makes sense, except as a PH which isn’t enough.

It doesn’t appear that is likely to happen. Mercedes has been pretty bad in AAA behind the plate defensively.

For the Playoffs, do you think TLR will go with Grandal, Zavala and Collins or try going with Mercedes as the third C over Collins? Obviously, the benefit to Collins was he was supposed to be a good bat but that has never transpired. Now compared to Mercedes, he’s a better defender but still poor at defense. And he’s a lefty to Zavala’s righty. Mercedes on the other hand carried this team offensively for a month. And now is hitting 0.292 with 10 home runs in AAA with a 0.898 OPS. I understand the risk with not having a viable third defensive catcher, but it seems like Mercedes could be a key DH or pinch hitter. Thoughts?

Reylo certainly did not deserve this call-up from his AAA season, but regardless is pitching very well for the Sox. All we can continue to do is try higher leverage situations for him over the remaining schedule to see if we found something in him this season. His velocity seems to be there and he looks way more confident then some of his starting days. Heck, I’ll admit I never wanted Rodon back after his bullpen games late last year, and I was completely wrong about him. Now, I’m not indicating the same turnaround for Lopez as Rodon, but let’s at least use this Central lead and put Lopez in some challenging situations for the remainder of the regular season.

Got to be sure to get that scheduled Anderson off day. Doesn’t matter that every other starter is out of the lineup practically, give him an off day!

Eaton at this point is sure to get that $1 million opt out for next season. Sox need to cut bait on him at some point and find a solution. But we have had so many OF injuries, management probably doesn’t feel great about willingly giving away expensive depth at this point. Going into next season we lose Eaton (hopefully), Garcia (probably), Hamilton and Lamb. We return Robert, Vaughn, Engle and Jimenez. We also don’t need someone that blocks Cespedes rise. Therefore, a one season rental for the right price seems to be the answer. S Marte or Kris Bryant at the right price would be great since they leave the spots open going forward. But a price for either will be difficult.

Silence of the Lamb’s haters.

I assume Kopech will be unavailable the entire Twins series if he’s starting one of the double header games Friday. That or extremely limited.

Buxton being out for all of this series and maybe part of the following series in Minnesota is huge. Just need to keep doing what we’ve been doing all season, getting quality starts and manufacturing runs. Pitch to Cruz and Donaldson in favorable situations. Also, Sox have to survive slump breakouts from typical Sox killers in Polanco (0.236), Kepler (0.213), Cave (0.169) and Sano (0.129).

Complete the irony... ”On October 18, 2010, Roberts was hired by the San Diego Padres as the first base coach, replacing Rick Renteria when he was promoted to bench coach.[37] When Rentería was named manager of the Chicago Cubs after the 2013 season, Roberts once again succeeded him, named as manager Bud Black's bench coach for the 2014 campaign.“ Rick Renteria was more or less fired by the White Sox after the 2020 season and once again replaced a third time in his career by...

Not sure if Dodgers HC Dave Roberts has been mentioned in the previous 29 pages but I needed a change from LaRussa and Hinch. Long shot, but would probably need the Braves to beat the Dodgers tonight and for frustrations to boil over in LA enough to fire Roberts. Dave Roberts article

Separate question on Vaughn... any opinions on whether Sox pursue one of those preseason extensions of Vaughn before his first game, similar to Robert, Jimenez and Anderson? Is there a strong enough sense in his can’t miss abilities that Sox would work one of these type deals for the 2021 season? Just looking for good old fashion opinions on this one... it seems like the Sox have done pretty well in these type of contract extensions, but the candidate has to be the right upside in terms of talent.

Let’s update the original post now that the 2020 season has come to a conclusion. The purpose of this post is to summarize who the Sox lose after this 2020 season and showcase what our needs will be in free agency and/or trades. There’s obviously some obstacles and unknowns, like Rule 5 draft, the 40-man roster and offseason decisions. But I figured I’d try to compile that and ask for feedback, corrections and opinion here. So after 2020, here’s who the Sox lose: End of Contracts: C James McCann BP Alex Colome BP Ross Detweiler (already gone)  OF Jarrod Dyson Club Option for 2021: BP Steve Cishek ($6.75 million - already gone) DH Edwin Encarnacion ($12 million - not likely picked up) SP Gio Gonzalez ($7 million - not likely picked up) FLEX Leury Garcia ($3.5 million) Late Arbitration Year: RF Nomar Mazara (last arbitration yr for 2021) INF Yolmer Sanchez (last arbitration yr)  SP Carlos Rodon (last arbitration yr, not likely, over $6 million) So what we return for sure in 2021, and what are our needs are the following: Catcher: Yasmani Grandal backed by Zack Collins. Maybe Yermin Mercedes as a third C/DH. Considerations to resign McCann. Zavala is fourth depth catcher in organization. Pending Actions: Decide on whether to offer McCann. Decide on backup catchers for 2021 and beyond. First Base: Jose Abreu returns as starter. Probably much fewer opportunities for Grandal, since he will be more everyday catcher compared to 2020 if McCann is not signed. Feeling like Andrew Vaughn will be the backup first basemen and alternate at DH also with Abreu. I’m thinking Edwin prohibits them development of Vaughn and only gets one year with Sox. Minor league is Gavin Sheets, who would be a likely trade commodity due to Abreu and Vaughn. Designated Hitter: Sox may take the option on Edwin for another $12 million, but probably not after 2020 debacle. DH could be a rotated position between Vaughn, Abreu, Collins, and maybe Eloy (if Sox land a flexible starting RF that can play LF too). Yermin Mercedes is also third catcher and spots well to the DH position. Second base: Cheap position for the Sox and good talent there. No reason to change a thing from Madrigal and Mendick. Seems like Leury Garcia and Yolmer Sanchez may be too expensive an option since there may be cheaper options in the minors (although Yolmer may have a better chance due to 3b). Shortstop: Tim Anderson and a backup, possibly Mendick and maybe a Yolmer, but they may cut Sanchez for a cheaper option there. Anderson and Mendick may be enough. Third Base: Yoan Moncada and a backup, Mendick, and maybe another option like Sanchez, or another farm piece. Outfield: Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and To Be Determined RF. Mazara has One more arbitration year, but it seems unlikely at this stage that they pursue that with his production. He did play better towards the end of the year, so this may be a wait and see. Will need a starting RF in offseason, preferably left handed bat, and at least average to plus defender and athleticism. Sox lose Dyson, but may keep Engle on for another backup season due to arbitration. Leury Garcia is an option, but Sox should pursue a starter here in the offseason, in my opinion. Micker Adolfo, Blake Rutherford, and Luis Gonzalez are the farm OF to consider as depth. Not a lot of great free agents out there (Springer, Ozuna, Pederson). May have to consider a trade partner to get exactly what they want. Pending actions: Decide if we go another season of platoon Mazara and Engle. If not, Sox need to consider FA options or trade partners for one. Starting Pitchers: Giolito, Keuchel, Cease and Dunning are for sure starters in 2021. Assuming we don’t take the option on a Gio Gonzalez. Rodon is in his last arbitration and he will cost over $5 million per year with no signs of staying healthy. After an awful couple of season and now playoffs, Sox have to move on here. He could be considered for long relief bullpen, but there are probably cheaper, more dependable options there. Reynaldo Lopez is in arbitration 1, and may be on roster. He could compete for that #5 starter next year, but he’s at the end of his leash. Especially, with Kopech possibly getting the promotion to starter sometime next season. Crochet if healthy definitely should figure into the starting pitching role long term. He may need to start out in minors as a starter first if this is the route. Depth at starter in the minors will be Jonathan Stiever, Bernardo Flores Jr. , and Jimmy Lambert. Free agency looks like Trevor Bauer is top of the line. Other lesser considerations would be Marcus Stroman, Masahiro Tanaka, Taijuan Walker, Mike Minor, Robbie Ray, Jake Odorizzi, and Jose Quintana. Pending actions: In my mind, Sox have to land at least one top 3 starter for next season as illustrated by playoffs. that would probably only qualify as Bauer and Stroman. That would provide depth, sustain a winning record hopefully and allow some of the youngster to move down to #4 or 5 in rotation. A one year deal to Bauer would look amazing and he’ll our rotation grow up for a season. Bullpen Pitchers: Losing Colome will be biggest question mark next season on who fills out the closer role. A healthy Aaron Bummer is the likely choice there. Obviously, that leaves a spot open in the set-up role. Returning High performer bullpen pitchers In addition to Bummer will be Matt Foster, Cody Heuer, and Evan Marshall. Crochet looks here but also as a starter, so a decision on him looms. Bullpen arms that need further work and probably return are Jimmy Cordero, Jace Fry and Zack Burdi. Sox farm hands that time may come are Tyler Johnson, or one of the young starters may get a bullpen shot first. Sox definitely have some work in the offseason free agency bolstering their bullpen, especially for a lefty option (right now only Bummer and Fry for 2021). Pending actions: decision on whether to resign Colome. Sign more high leverage arms to add to roster. In summary: Key free agency and/or trades for 2021 for starting Right Fielder, bullpen arms, another starting pitcher if the Sox. Movement within the organization should provide depth at all the positions not mentioned.

Dunning to start is official on the team site now... Oakland is pitching Fiers.

The winner of the Sox and A's Game 3 on Thursday (if needed) would play in the next round of playoffs on Monday. So almost 4 days of rest before the next series. Therefore, you could execute as close to a bullpen game in Game 3 as possible. It's winner moves on and loser goes home. Obviously depends on the bullpen work in games 1 and 2, but Sox could have a ton of flexibility in Game 3 if Giolito and Keuchel both get past the 6th. Then for example, you could start Dunning in Game 3 and be on high sensitivity alert for a pull. Any dip in control thru walks or missing spots and you bring on one of our experienced arms to get us out of the jam (i.e. Heuer, Marshall, Foster or Crochet). Maybe Dane gets you 2 or 3 innings. At the next full inning, bring in another starter, like Cease. Repeat the same scenario and monitor him closely and have a quick yank. Bring reliever in to end any high risk situations. Try to save Colome, Bummer for final two innings. That strategy hopefully has Dunning and Cease get you thru maybe 4 or 5 innings and saves you two of your high leverage arms for the in-between innings like 6th and 7th. Obviously, it's not advisable in a larger series format, but with the rest until the next series, Sox could consider it against the A's if needed.

Was looking for a post that summarizes who the Sox lose after this 2020 season and showcases what our needs will be in free agency and/or trades. There’s obviously some obstacles and unknowns, like Rule 5 draft, the 40-man roster and offseason decisions. But I figured I’d try to compile that and ask for feedback, corrections and opinion here. So after 2020, here’s who the Sox lose: End of Contracts: C James McCann BP Alex Colome BP Ross Detweiler OF Jarrod Dyson Club Option for 2021: BP Steve Cishek ($6.75 million - not likely picked up) DH Edwin Encarnacion ($12 million - not likely picked up) SP Gio Gonzalez ($7 million - not likely picked up) FLEX Leury Garcia ($3.5 million - guessing not likely) Late Arbitration Year: RF Nomar Mazara (last arbitration yr, not likely) INF Yolmer Sanchez (last arbitration yr, not likely) SP Carlos Rodon (last arbitration yr, not sure here) So what we return for sure in 2021, and what are our needs are the following: Catcher: Yasmani Grandal backed by Zack Collins. Maybe Yermin Mercedes as a third C/DH. Discussion from some Sox fans Are considering to resign McCann, but I find that unlikely. Sexy Zavala is fourth depth catcher in organization. Pending Actions: decide on backup catchers for 2021 and beyond. First Base: Jose Abreu returns as starter. Probably much fewer opportunities for Grandal, since he will be more everyday catcher compared to 2020. Feeling like Andrew Vaughn will be the backup first basemen and alternate at DH also with Abreu. I’m thinking Edwin prohibits them development of Vaughn and only gets one year with Sox. Minor league is Gavin Sheets, who would be a likely trade commodity due to Abreu and Vaughn. Designated Hitter: Sox may take the option on Edwin for another $12 million, but probably not after 2020. DH could be a rotated position between Vaughn, Abreu, Collins, and maybe Eloy (if Sox land a flexible starting RF that can play LF too). Yermin Mercedes is also third catcher and spots well to the DH position. Second base: Cheap position for the Sox and good talent there. No reason to change a thing from Madrigal and Mendick. Seems like Leury Garcia and Yolmer Sanchez may be too expensive an option since there may be cheaper options in the minors (although Yolmer may have a better chance due to 3b). Shortstop: Tim Anderson and a backup, possibly Mendick and maybe a Yolmer, but they may cut Sanchez for a cheaper option there. Anderson and Mendick may be enough. Third Base: Yoan Moncada and a backup, Mendick, and maybe another option like Sanchez, or another farm piece. Outfield: Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and To Be Determined RF. Mazara has One more arbitration year, but it seems unlikely at this stage that they pursue that with his production. Will need a starting RF in offseason, preferably left handed bat, and at least average to plus defender and athleticism. Sox lose Dyson, but may keep Engle on for another backup season due to arbitration. Leury Garcia is an option, but Sox should pursue a starter here in the offseason, in my opinion. Micker Adolfo, Blake Rutherford, and Luis Gonzalez are the farm OF to consider as depth. Starting Pitchers: Giolito, Keuchel, Cease and Dunning are for sure starters in 2021. Assuming we don’t take the option on a Gio Gonzalez. Rodon is in his last arbitration and he will cost over $5 million per year with no signs of staying healthy. It’s a toss up if the Sox keep him around (I’m thinking they release him). He could be considered for long relief bullpen, but there are probably cheaper, more dependable options there. Reynaldo Lopez is in arbitration 1, and will be on roster. He could compete for that #5 starter next year, but he’s at the end of his leash. Especially, with Kopech possibly getting the promotion to starter sometime next season. Depth at starter in the minors will be Jonathan Stiever, Bernardo Flores Jr. , and Jimmy Lambert with deeper starters in Garrett Crochet and Jared Kelley. Bullpen Pitchers: Losing Colome will be biggest question mark next season on who fills out the closer role. A healthy Aaron Bummer is the likely choice there. Obviously, that leaves a spot open in the set-up role. Returning High performer bullpen pitchers In addition to Bummer will be Matt Foster, Cody Heuer, and Evan Marshall. Sox lose Detweiler and probably Cishek. Bullpen arms that need further work and probably return are Jimmy Cordero, Jace Fry and Zack Burdi. Farm arms with MLB experience that will be considered are Ian Hamilton and Jose Ruiz. Sox farm hands that time may come are Tyler Johnson, or one of the young starters may get a bullpen shot first. Sox definitely have some work in the offseason free agency bolstering their bullpen, especially for a lefty option (right now only Bummer and Fry for 2021). In summary: Key free agency and/or trades for 2021 for starting Right Fielder, bullpen arms, another starting pitcher if the Sox don’t resign Gonzalez or Rodon, and Lopez goes to the bullpen. Movement within the organization should provide depth at all the positions not mentioned. Looking for feedback, Corrections, opinions on anything post-2020 season. Thanks....

If Sox stand pat, I’m going with Dunning’s low walks (1.97 bbp9) in a playoff start over Cease’s walks (4.5 bbp9) in a playoff format. Maybe Cease can get an inning or two in relief after Dunning goes 5. Obviously, not ideal but it is a young team and would be good experience.