JotCast | White Sox Offseason Chat

White Sox Offseason Chat

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Tim Dierkes

9:14

I'd have to think Bellinger would seek one year at maximize dollars with a clear path to regular playing time. Maybe $15MM or so? I think it'd be a good fit for both sides.

Tstats

9:15

Morning Tim! In the event of a big blowup, what could the Sox get for Robert?

Tim Dierkes

9:16

I don't have specific prospect names for you, but five years of Luis Robert starting with his age 25 season would provide quite a haul. At least three of those years are at below-market prices. But the only reason you are considering that is because he had such a disappointing year, so it'd definitely be selling low.

Tooker

9:16

Lots of things went wrong for Sox in 2022 (injuries, dry offense, bad defense, injuries again, La Russa in general, lack of trades, and more injuries). Gotta think if just a couple of those things went right this season, maybe they make the playoffs right??

Tim Dierkes

9:17

I'd say so...the Moncada/Grandal/Giolito dropoff alone probably accounted for most of the White Sox' distance from the Guardians this year. Throw in a few more wins for better health and managing, and they would have made it.

9:18

I think upgrading the manager is an easy fix. But there are no guarantees on players getting healthy or bouncing back from poor performance. Nor is everything good on the team constant - Cease can't put up a 2.20 ERA again.

Andrew Vaughn's glove

9:19

I am made of iron and used by a very slow man. Tell me I'll soften up when I move to 1B.

Tim Dierkes

9:19

2023! They're telegraphing that plan pretty clearly.

MacD

9:19

Tim, in regards to the Sox cancelling Soxfest, do you get the feeling they just didn't want to face the fans and media after being ripped during the season and more so, after the season?

Tim Dierkes

9:19

Here's how they explained it: "Due to several factors, SoxFest 2023 will not be held this January."

9:20

Such a weird, vague way to explain this choice. I have to think at least part of it is not wanting to deal with vitriol from diehard fans, which is a very thin-skinned way to run a baseball team.

Larry

9:20

Are the White Sox a better team with Elvis Andrus at shortstop rather than Tim Anderson? I think they are, but doubt Anderson's ego would allow him to change positions, even if the Sox were better off with him in the outfield.

Tim Dierkes

9:21

If we were to guarantee health and the same number of games played for both of them, it's Anderson easily. Andrus is not a good hitter; let's not read too much into 191 plate appearances. He was released for a reason.

9:22

If you want to throw him a few mil and give him time at 2B and backing up the inevitable Anderson injury, sure. I don't think the White Sox are pursuing some awesome 2B otherwise.

Andrew Vaughn's glove

9:22

Thanks, Tim, but I know when I'll be moving. My question was will I soften up when I do move? Last year was brutal.

Tim Dierkes

9:22

I think he can play an adequate 1B.

Guest

9:23

Hey Tim - you hit in the key. How do we get yoyo / Grandal / giolitto to play to their normal back of baseball card stats. Whoever is hired to manage has to make that the focus. Who is the best manager to make that happen?

Tim Dierkes

9:23

I'll be honest - I don't know the answer to the manager question. If this team wins the division in 2023 the manager will get a lot of credit whether he deserves it or not.

9:24

Grandal turns 34 soon and I'm not convinced he's bouncing back. Gio, I feel decent about. Moncada needs an offseason at one of those hitting labs and probably a different hitting coach next year too.

Tooker

9:24

Grandal is a zero behind the plate. Catcher w/knee injuries does not equal success. Gotta cut or trade him (if possible) right?

Tim Dierkes

9:25

I think catching is so hard to come by these days that someone would probably take $5-6MM of Grandal's contract off their hands if that's what they want. Then they'd have to go get a starting catcher, though.

Dylan

9:25

Do you think there’s a chance the white Sox go into a re tooling mode? (Trading some of their bigger players like Anderson and Hendricks)

Tim Dierkes

9:26

No...so many things went wrong and they still were a .500 team. They're also blessed with one of the lesser divisions. It makes total sense to go for it again in '23.

Thimble

9:26

is the plan @ 2B some combo of Mendick, Lenyn Sosa, Leury, Yolbert Sanchez? Or do you see some stopgap a la Josh Harrison or Cesar Hernandez??

Tim Dierkes

9:27

I mentioned Segura, Wong, and Drury in my post. I expect them to bring in some veteran who can play 2B, but it could be below the level of the names I mentioned. I don't think they want to rely entirely on the guys you named though.

Matt

9:27

Is now the right time to explore trading Giolito, cash him in for multiple players now before he gets real expensive and possibly before another down year? I'm thinking one of Toronto's young catchers as a target +.

Tim Dierkes

9:27

I don't think you'd get one of Toronto's catchers for just a year of Gio. Only real reason to trade him now is if you think he'll repeat his 2022 or do worse.

Based on the handling of Carlos Rodon, I wouldn't have faith in the White Sox' ability to determine that.

Matt

9:28

The Sox made an effort to add a big name like Machado and Wheeler in previous seasons. If the Sox don't resign Abreu, do you think they make a run at Trea Turner to play SS/2B with Tim Anderson a la Boston with signing Trevor Story last off season?

Tim Dierkes

9:28

I don't think the Sox were close on Machado at all. Wheeler, they definitely were, and might have made the high offer if I remember correctly.

9:29

So Wheeler might show a stomach for a free agent contract in the low $100MMs from Reinsdorf. That's not Trea...he's in the mid to high 200s. I suppose it's fair to say that the White Sox at least got into that range for Machado, even though that wasn't nearly enough.

Bottom line, no, I don't think the White Sox make a serious run at the big four SS.

Lenyn Sosa

9:29

With the massive gap at 2b? Am I a real option? The team didn't seem to really want to give me a shot last year.

Tim Dierkes

9:30

I should have mentioned him in my Outlook post...I do think he's a real option, yes.

soxfanbs91

9:30

Is Michael Conforto a realistic target? Seems like a cheap alternative for 2023 that the Sox love

Tim Dierkes

9:31

He's a Boras guy. Even without a good, full season since 2019, Boras will probably make strong demands for Conforto. I think the Sox have softened their stance on Boras over the years and signed a few guys. I guess I wouldn't rule it out.

Good guys wear black

9:31

Next month, I'll turn 54. Assuming reasonable health and luck, I should probably give up any hope of seeing another White Sox World Series, shouldn't I? That's be okay: if you don't have any hopes, you can't be disappointed.

Tim Dierkes

9:32

I hope you get one.

Guest

9:32

Will Oscar Colas be right fielder from day one?

Tim Dierkes

9:32

With a strong spring training, this wouldn't shock me.

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