I was very impressed by Carlos Sanchez last season. He played fantastic defense, and he hit .252 after the All-Star break after a .184 start. He's still only 23, and his hitting has always been decent in the minors, so I think he may improve. Even if he doesn't, I think his defense is good enough for him to be a starter.

 

Other posters may not agree, though. So, where do you think Sanchez should be at the start of the 2016 season?

 

His role for next season is probably at 2B, but he has to show he can hit at the MLB level. We saw some progress in the 2nd half of the season, but, he does appear to be a defensive first, light(er) hitting 2B on a team that has many holes.

My plan would be a Sanchez/Saladino platoon at SS after declining Alexei for $10M. I think they would bring better D and similar offensive output for a fraction of the price. If we want another big bat in this lineup these are the kind of business decisions the franchise will have to make.

Yep, your stats are way more alarming. I said put him on the bench until Micah is the latest Sox to officially flame out. Give Micah enough at bats to see if he's a bust. Although I do realize defense is important in baseball and Micah is considered lousy, right? We know Sanchez is an A-plus with the glove. At some point, though you need some hitting.

 

Micah Johnson is the wildcard in this; can he stay healthy? does he have a position at the major league level?

 

I have a hard time not finding regular at bats for him if he proves himself next spring; whether it's split time at 2B/DH. If he is an offensive difference maker with his speed, I hope they find a role for him.

Personally I hope the Sox sign Zobrist and Sanchez and Saladino split time at 3B.

 

While I love Zobrist, I don't want to sign 34 year old hitters to 3 or 4 year deals. He already is declining, although he's still a good player. They need to find solutions to their problems without dipping into the free agent pool on older (and probably soon to be declining) hitters.

My plan would be a Sanchez/Saladino platoon at SS after declining Alexei for $10M. I think they would bring better D and similar offensive output for a fraction of the price. If we want another big bat in this lineup these are the kind of business decisions the franchise will have to make.

 

There seems to be speculation that Ramirez's option may be picked up.

There seems to be speculation that Ramirez's option may be picked up.

 

 

I'd actually be pretty surprised if it isn't picked up honestly.

There seems to be speculation that Ramirez's option may be picked up.

 

For what SS's are out there, and as far as $10 million goes anymore, i don't see it as much of a question that Alexei will be our opening day SS next year.

For what SS's are out there, and as far as $10 million goes anymore, i don't see it as much of a question that Alexei will be our opening day SS next year.

 

The key here is that the option decision has to be made before there is time to pursue any FA or trade options. That makes it more likely that the option is picked up.

I can almost guarantee Alexei's option is picked up.

The key here is that the option decision has to be made before there is time to pursue any FA or trade options. That makes it more likely that the option is picked up.

 

The other big SS on the trade market is Starlin Castro who put up numbers not too far away from what Alexei put up, but in that case you are married to him for an addition $30 million + and another three years after 2016.

The other big SS on the trade market is Starlin Castro who put up numbers not too far away from what Alexei put up, but in that case you are married to him for an addition $30 million + and another three years after 2016.

 

I'm not even sure he'd be considered a SS by other teams. At the deadline, he had little/no value because of that contract and his lack of offensive production; he did play well after he was moved to 2B, but I do expect the Cubs to attempt to move him again this off-season.

 

I doubt the White Sox would be interested with that money locked in even if it provides some cost certainty and keeps one of the middle IF spots locked in for the next several seasons. He would be an offensive improvement at 2B for sure.

For what SS's are out there, and as far as $10 million goes anymore, i don't see it as much of a question that Alexei will be our opening day SS next year.

 

There was some talk for awhile of trying to sign him to a lesser deal and/or trying to fill that position from within. They are overpaying him, however, it's only a 1 year deal, and the expectation is that he'd be keeping the position warm for Tim Anderson.