Chicago White Sox

Which is a small price to pay for 5+ win upside. If we can’t get Springer on a multi-year deal, Bryant at that price would be a great fallback. The challenge is timing, because the likelihood of a Springer commitment is incredibly low before the non-tender deadline at this point.

I think so. Sounds like the Ricketts need to cut payroll and Bryant is their best way to do that in one fair swoop. I can’t see them holding him and hoping someone eventually trades for his ~$19M salary. Either they move him now for whatever they can or cut bait altogether via non-tender.

Technically a player can get a 20% decrease through arbitration. As for Bryant, not getting a raise seems about right given how bad he was last year.

Doesn’t work what way?

I love Ozuna’s bat, but I really don’t see him as an option for us. With Abreu & Vaughn in fold and Eloy at risk of moving to DH in a couple years, any bat we add of materiality needs to be able to play the OF on a regular basis and Ozuna really isn’t that guy unfortunately.

https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2020/10/projected-arbitration-salaries-for-2021.html

And I was wrong, sounds like his arb projection is around $18.6M, so not nearly as high as I had thought.

What’s everyone thoughts on him as a possible RF option for next year? Would you consider trading for him between now and next Wednesday’s non-tender dealdline? If so, what would you be willing to give up to acquire him? On the White Sox Talk Podcast, David Kaplan was a guest and believes it’s 50/50 that Kris gets non-tendered. With a projected salary in the $22M to $23M range, his view is the acquisition cost would much lighter than what most Cubs fans would be expect. Chuck & McGuffey through out Stiever & a low level lottery ticket as a theoretical package. Obviously right now without knowing our budget it’s hard to speculate what broader set of moves is possible, but Bryant would be a hell of a buy low option that could pay off massively in 2021. However, seems like it would almost certainly be a one year thing, which maybe is fine if you’re confident Colas can be in the RF mix by 2022.

I agree on Gallo, but doubt the Rangers get a team to absorb a shit contract for one year of Lance Lynn. Ultimately I think they move him for the best prospect possible.

That should be the plan, but not optimistic the old man will pony up for Bauer.

Honestly, I’d expect them both in the $3M to $4M range.

Mazara has never been good though and being “young” is not valuable when you only have one year of control remaining. I think there would be teams interested in him, but it will come a huge discount.

Mazara has zero trade value at his projected arbitration salary in this market. He will get non tendered and will sign a major league contract for much less.

This is true and not true at the same time. Yes, Kopech is not giving us anywhere close to 200 innings next year. Dunning will also be restricted given his limited workload this year. They both require special handling in 2021, but both are major league ready and can be key contributors. Additionally, we have Cease who shouldn’t have many restrictions next year, but is coming off a terrible 2020 season which adds uncertainty. I think the reality is we need to add two starters, a #2 / #3 type that can be a key part of a playoff staff and a #4 type who can be in the back of the rotation mix along with the young guys. Let’s say you could add Lynn for Stiever++ and then sign someone like Richards for that second spot. All of a sudden this is your 2021 rotation: Giolito Lynn Keuchel Richards Dunning Cease Kopech Lopez Kopech & Cease start the year in AAA where the former’s workload can be managed while he shakes off some rust (and earns back a year of service time) and where the latter can work on any mechanical changes that Katz identifies this offseason / spring training. Even if Richards can only give you a 100 good innings before going down with injury, you now have two high-end prospects waiting in the wings for their chance. Given there will likely be seven playoff teams in each league next year, I think this rotation structure should be totally doable for us. And then come October, you’ll have a big three of Giolito, Lynn (or comparable pitcher), & Keuchel to battle with it. It may not be perfect, but we can’t afford to fully punt on the development of all our young arms or the window will quickly come to a close. We need to find a balance and this plan is the best way to do that IMO.

Dunning put up a 3.99 FIP in his first seven starts coming off TJS and without his best stuff. I get he faced some shit lineups, but that’s immensely impressive for a rookie and he 100% earned a rotation spot for next year.

This is just dumb. If the Sox were to add Lynn it’s because he’s a high end pitcher, not because he played for La Russa.

I wouldn’t do it. Six years of Dunning > one year of Lynn.

100% agree. I’m not worried in the slightest and a random beef Twitter account doesn’t change that. Now, I’d be slightly more concerned if Portillo’s tweeted this lol.

Where would you rank Sugano against the remaining free agent pitchers? Obviously he’s behind Bauer, but is it possible he’s in the mix for the next best pitcher?

Just sign James Paxton if that’s the route you want to go. Unless Rodon is willing to accept a reduced deal and take a shot at relieving (which is unlikely) he should be good as gone.

We made a very significant offer to Tanaka and tried to sign Ohtani despite the odds being stacked against us. Will be interesting if they have any interested in any of these guys.

The Cubs traded Eloy the year after winning the World Series, so not sure how much basking Theo was really doing about that move

Conforto + Wong is significantly more expensive and the former is only under control for one more year. I’m ok with moving Madrigal in the right deal, but that’s definitely not for one year of a RF upgrade. And in all honesty, there is zero reason to trade for a RF unless it’s absorbing a contract from a team looking to move payroll like say the Diamondbacks with Cole Kalhoun.

Looks like we won’t hear anything with Springer until after the 12/2 non-tender deadline.

I’m honestly not joking, so much more bad comes from it than good.