Chicago White Sox

I wasn’t a huge fan of the Mazara addition, but here is how they each did against RHP last year: Mazara: 110 wRC+ Castellanos: 106 wRC+ Yes, Nick destroys LHP and wouldn’t require a platoon mate, but ~75% they are about the same caliber of hitter. With the right platoon partner, I think we can get a little less production (when factoring in defense) for a fraction of the cost. I do like Castellanos and think there’s room for growth but he definitely isn’t a perfect fit if he required a four year deal.

I’m not suggesting that we get rid of Leury, I’m proposing adding Zobrist on the cheap as an additional bench piece. If Zobrist is even 85% of his 2018 form, he’s better suited for the role I’ve been discussing (interim 2B / platoon RF once Madrigal is up). If he doesn’t work out, then release him in a couple months and cal up Engel, Mendick, etc.

No idea. But if he’s willing to, I’d happily give him a shot.

Zobrist was 23% better than a league average hitter in 2018, but struggled last year as he dealt with marital issues. I think it remains to be seen how much he has left in the tank, but the cost to find out should be minuscule enough to gamble on the upside. As for Leury, his favorable splits against LHP (113 wRC+) is based on a SSS (280 PAs) and involves an unsustainable BABIP (.388). I worry his production against LHP may be just a fluke and if it regresses he suddenly isn’t a good platoon partner for Mazara and a well below average hitter in general.

Leury can’t hit RHP.

Lol...some fantastic hires right there!

I think we plan on trading for a reliever.

Good point.

I know Hill has been pretty good when healthy, but dude will be 40 next year and at some point is going to fall off a cliff if he plays long enough. Hopefully that year is next year.

Yup, great post.

Wow if true

Yeah, that’s unfortunate, but definitely something that can easily be managed if needed. Not a big deal IMO.

I’m not a Covey fan, but every 40 man roster needs a pitcher or two that can be called up to fill some innings in a pinch. And to serve that role, you must have options available. Right now, the 40 man roster lacks alternatives to fill this role. Outside of the five current starters & Kopech, we only have Flores as a guy with options who can give us five innings (sorry Fulmer). Once we get Rodon & Dunning back I wouldn’t be surprised if Covey loses his roster spot, but until then I think he sticks around.

How do they open up a lot of money? Sure, they may lose Colome, McCann, & possibly Herrera, but Moncada, Giolito, & Lopez all hit arbitration.

Oh I know there is a good chance it happens, but it doesn’t make it any less nonsensical.

Batting Leury leadoff should be a fireable offense.

At least against RHP.

I don’t think Covey is out of options, at least per Roster Resource. https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-chicago-white-sox/

Fulmer has no options left, while Covey does. Honestly, Covey is likely to stick around one more year and be bullpen depth (probably his ideal role) and our emergency starter.

I think the most likely guys to get moved are the following: Zavala (unless we plan on trading one of McCann or Collins) Medeiros (can probably slip through waivers) Guerrero (no options remaining - may try to slip through) Fulmer (no options remaining - will likely try to trade first though) Covey (one option remaining) Ruiz (one option remaining)

No way he’s getting that big of a deal. I’d say he’s looking at something closer to 2/$20M which I still don’t like for us.

Oh I agree and have said as much in a previous post. That being said, he’s clearly getting some high level info from Jerry that he’s using to help educate his opinions.

Stone clearly gets some info from Jerry, but I still don’t think the front office is purposely leaking stuff to him for fan relations or marketing purposes.

Here’s how I’d construct our lineup against RHP when Robert & Madrigal first come up. In parentheses I have their 2019 OBP’s & ISO’s against RHP. Anderson, SS (.360 | .175) Moncada, 3B# (.377 | .246) Encarnacion, DH (.332 | .266) Grandal, C# (.372 | .201) Jimenez, LF (.313 | .264) Abreu, 1B (.299 | .215) Mazara, RF* (.344 | .212) Robert, CF (.336 | .336) Madrigal, 2B (.405 | .039) At some point I’d swap Encarnación & Jimenez and consider putting someone else in the leadoff spot assuming BABIP regression from Tim. But I really do like this lineup construction and think that having Robert, Madrigal, Anderson, & Moncada all bat consecutively is going to create a ton of havoc on the bases.

He’s talking about his own broadcasting deal with the Sox in that tweet.