Chicago White Sox

The Nats may have the worst farm system in all of baseball.

If you want to sign a stud free agent it will always be a year too long.

He’d never agree to a short-term extension.

I generally agree, but the Ricketts have real cash flow problems though because they are so over-levered.

That too.

I fully expect Springer to get at least 5/$110M and potentially up to 5/$125M. If these numbers are real, then either the Sox aren’t being nearly as aggressive as these “insiders” have implied or the Sox are once again going the cheap route a la Machado.

If they were to take on Heyward’s salary (which a I doubt), they wouldn’t cut him and then go sign Springer. You’re talking about $60M+ in salary to address SP2 & WR, which at that point why not just sign Bauer & Springer?

I’m sorry, but this entire concept is ridiculous:

Better than letting him walk for nothing though. I mean, they should fire Jed Hoyer on the spot if he ends up non-tendering Bryant when the Sox were willing to give up something.

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.