Now that we’re two days away from pitchers & catchers reporting to Spring Training, I thought it would be fun to do some Opening Day roster predictions.

 

We’ll start with the bullpen, which figures to be one of the more interesting areas in terms of competition. The rules are simple: list the guys who will be in our opening day bullpen and what role they will serve (CL, SU, MR, LR).

Now that we’re two days away from pitchers & catchers reporting to Spring Training, I thought it would be fun to do some Opening Day roster predictions.

 

We’ll start with the bullpen, which figures to be one of the more interesting areas in terms of competition. The rules are simple: list the guys who will be in our opening day bullpen and what role they will serve (CL, SU, MR, LR).

 

 

CL: Nate Jones

SU: Joakim Soria

RHP: Jeanmar Gomez

RHP: Juan Minaya

RHP: Gregory Infante

RHP: Danny Farquhar

LHP: Luis Avilan

LHP: Xavier Cedeno

CL: Soria

SU: Jones

SU: Minaya

MR: Avalin

MR: Rondon

MR: Cedeno

MR: Infante

 

I think they start the season without a true long reliever. I think they leave some of the more talented young guys (Vierira, Bummer, Fry, etc) in AAA to start the season. That allows guys like Rondon & Cedeno to sneak onto the opening day roster. I also think Farquhar is cut/traded by the end of camp simply due to other veterans being more attractive options.

Before I read this, I wrote down my own prediction. It was the same.

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/white-sox-have-ver...-st/c-266148154

 

 

CL: Joakim Soria

SU: Nate Jones

SU: Juan Minaya

MR: Luis Avilan

MR: Danny Farquhar

MR: Xavier Cedeno

MR: Jeanmar Gomez

LR: Gregory Infante

 

I think the Sox are going to carry an extra arm in the pen most of the season. Jones starts off in his normal set-up role, eventually overtakes Soria after he struggles to close games out. Gomez is the first to be cut/released once the Sox decide to bring up a more intriguing arm like Vieira or Rondon.

 

Edit: I'd like to add that in order to add Cedeno and Gomez to the 40-man, Sox will place Rodon on the 60-day D.L. and DFA Charlie Tilson.

Edited February 11, 20188 yr by CWSpalehoseCWS

I'm thinking it's an 8-man bullpen too. I'll come back tomorrow when I'm at work

Edited February 11, 20188 yr by soxfan2014

I have a buddy who knows Jones really well. Let’s just say that at this point if the Sox get anything of value out of Jones, it wouldn’t only be a surprise to us and the Sox but to Jones as well

I have a buddy who knows Jones really well. Let’s just say that at this point if the Sox get anything of value out of Jones, it wouldn’t only be a surprise to us and the Sox but to Jones as well

 

They're rebuilding so makes sense.

Is there a list of who has options and who does not?

Is there a list of who has options and who does not?

 

https://www.rosterresource.com/mlb-chicago-white-sox

 

All the NRI that don't have options aren't affected by having options or not, only if they are added to the 40-man. Only guys really affected by options are Farquhar and Avilan (who both have 0) and Minaya and Infante (who both have 1).

I have a buddy who knows Jones really well. Let’s just say that at this point if the Sox get anything of value out of Jones, it wouldn’t only be a surprise to us and the Sox but to Jones as well

Is this trying to say that Jones believes his career is over?

Looking at this list of bullpen pitchers has to frighten the most optimistic White Sox fan.

Looking at this list of bullpen pitchers has to frighten the most optimistic White Sox fan.

 

Only if you haven't paid attention to the last couple years.

I'm going to assume that Jones starts the year on the DL and I too think the Sox carry 13 pitchers (8 relievers) in order to protect their young starters.

 

CL- Soria

RH SU- Minaya

LH SU- Avilan

Middle- Cedeno, Infante, Rondon, Farquar, and Gomez

 

They'll need to open 3 spots on the 40 man by pushing Rodon to the 60 day and releasing K. Smith and whichever of Cordell,Tilson, or Palka doensn't make the OD roster.

 

My thoughts are that the Sox will attempt to save as many young pitchers with options at AAA while they try to turn some of the above retreads into tradeable assets.

With the plethora of free agents still unsigned I'm guessing that most of their 40 man releases will clear waivers and go to Charlotte.

 

I'm going to assume that Jones starts the year on the DL and I too think the Sox carry 13 pitchers (8 relievers) in order to protect their young starters.

 

CL- Soria

RH SU- Minaya

LH SU- Avilan

Middle- Cedeno, Infante, Rondon, Farquar, and Gomez

 

They'll need to open 3 spots on the 40 man by pushing Rodon to the 60 day and releasing K. Smith and whichever of Cordell,Tilson, or Palka doensn't make the OD roster.

 

My thoughts are that the Sox will attempt to save as many young pitchers with options at AAA while they try to turn some of the above retreads into tradeable assets.

With the plethora of free agents still unsigned I'm guessing that most of their 40 man releases will clear waivers and go to Charlotte.

 

 

Indications at Soxfest were that Jones is ready to go.

Indications at Soxfest were that Jones is ready to go.

 

If healthy and effective I keep him and drop one of the RH middle guys. If healthy and ineffective I waive him.

If healthy and effective I keep him and drop one of the RH middle guys. If healthy and ineffective I waive him.

 

Why? If he takes a month to get right after missing so much time recently, what is the big loss? We lose more games with a bad bullpen?

 

Still not seeing the downside here.

Why? If he takes a month to get right after missing so much time recently, what is the big loss? We lose more games with a bad bullpen?

 

Still not seeing the downside here.

 

I guess my assumption is that if he is indeed healthy but can't get major league hitters out anymore due to the cumulative effect of the two injuries then there is no "getting right" and best to just move on. I don't subscribe to the goal of losing as many games as possible on purpose. I think that'll take care of itself without Nate Jones embarassing himself. Since the money's already spent, we could let him try to regain his velocity at Charlotte or see if he'd be usefull as a minor league pitching coach.

I guess my assumption is that if he is indeed healthy but can't get major league hitters out anymore due to the cumulative effect of the two injuries then there is no "getting right" and best to just move on. I don't subscribe to the goal of losing as many games as possible on purpose. I think that'll take care of itself without Nate Jones embarassing himself. Since the money's already spent, we could let him try to regain his velocity at Charlotte or see if he'd be usefull as a minor league pitching coach.

 

There can be a lot of things at that point. Conditioning, repetitions, strength, etc. Guys coming off of surgery and long leaves can take a while to get back into pitching shape. TJS guys usually take a year after returning to get back to normal.

There can be a lot of things at that point. Conditioning, repetitions, strength, etc. Guys coming off of surgery and long leaves can take a while to get back into pitching shape. TJS guys usually take a year after returning to get back to normal.

 

 

It may make sense for Jones to begin on DL or rehab assignment. If he makes the team, you may not want him to close so you could manage his appearances i.e. avoiding back to back appearances.

I'm going to assume that Jones starts the year on the DL and I too think the Sox carry 13 pitchers (8 relievers) in order to protect their young starters.

 

CL- Soria

RH SU- Minaya

LH SU- Avilan

Middle- Cedeno, Infante, Rondon, Farquar, and Gomez

 

They'll need to open 3 spots on the 40 man by pushing Rodon to the 60 day and releasing K. Smith and whichever of Cordell,Tilson, or Palka doensn't make the OD roster.

 

My thoughts are that the Sox will attempt to save as many young pitchers with options at AAA while they try to turn some of the above retreads into tradeable assets.

With the plethora of free agents still unsigned I'm guessing that most of their 40 man releases will clear waivers and go to Charlotte.

 

I'd be shocked if Smith is cut. Sox have zero options in the minors in case of an injury at catcher. As mediocre as he is, Smith is pretty safe. Look up Alfredo Gonzalez's stat line and tell me you think he's a better overall option than smith.

I'd be shocked if Smith is cut. Sox have zero options in the minors in case of an injury at catcher. As mediocre as he is, Smith is pretty safe. Look up Alfredo Gonzalez's stat line and tell me you think he's a better overall option than smith.

 

Good point. Maybe if there's a glut of FA catchers they could sneak him through or how about signing an upgrade?

Good point. Maybe if there's a glut of FA catchers they could sneak him through or how about signing an upgrade?

 

Could probably sneak him through waivers at the end of Spring Training when teams are cutting guys trying to create their own 40-man roster openings.

Is this trying to say that Jones believes his career is over?

Correct. At best, not holding out hope for much success if he does pitch again

Correct. At best, not holding out hope for much success if he does pitch again

Take it for what it's worth but this from CSN Chicago yesterday :

 

Reliever Nate Jones has almost become a forgotten man with the White Sox. Tommy John surgery, back surgery and elbow surgery since 2014 will do that. But he’s already in camp, feeling 100 percent, and when asked if he’ll be ready for Opening Day he said, “Absolutely.”