Holland23 Offseason Plan

PREAMBLE

The Sox had a promising season with success they can build on. The flaws of the current team were also obvious. A lack of dependable starting pitching and the offense had difficulties against right handed pitching.

In my plan I tried to address these two problems. In addition I focused on two more things: add guys that can draw a walk. Having Grandal in the lineup was refreshing. The other thing is adding some guys with positional flexibility so that Abreu, Jimenez and (if still necessary) Moncada can spend some time at DH to keep them fresh and without losing (too much) offense. Adding positional flexibility also helps absorb in injuries during (hopefully) a deep playoff run.

I aimed for on a payroll between $135M and $140M, but I will offer some insight into what I would do if Jerry would allow for a $150M payroll. I’ll keep things compact.

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Nomar Mazara: Non-tender
• Carlos Rodón: Non-tender
• Lucas Giolito: $5.3M, Tender
• Reynaldo López: $2.2M, Tender (and trade)
• Evan Marshall: $1.9M Tender
• Adam Engel: $1.4M Tender
• Jace Fry: $1M Tender
• Yolmer Sánchez: Non-tender

CLUB OPTIONS

Edwin Encarnación: Decline
• Gio González: Buyout
• Leury García: Buyout

OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

Alex Colomé Let go
• James McCann Let go
• Jarrod Dyson Let go

COACHING STAFF

Manager: Sandy Alomar
• Pitching coach: Matt Zaleski

FREE AGENTS

No. 1: DJ LeMahieu (four years, $86M, $20M, $21M, $22M, $23M). Having Anderson and LeMahieu batting first and second seems too good to be true. But given the budget it should be possible to add him to the lineup. He had an OPS of 1.013 against righthanders last year so would help in that department. Besides that he can play multiple positions.

No. 2: Taijuan Walker (2 years, $21M – $10M, $13M club option with $1M buyout). I hope we can get him for 2 years and €23M. If Jerry would stretch the budget to $150M I would sub Walker for Stroman.

No. 3: José Quintana (1 years, $7M). Solid dependable option and some nostalgia.

No. 4: Tommy La Stella (2 years, $14M – $7M, $8M). He had an OPS of .903 against righthanders, high OBP and can play multiple positions.

No. 5: Austin Hedges (1 year, $1M). Solid backup catcher.

No. 6: Brock Holt (1 year, $750,000). Has been a solid pinch hitter throughout his career.

TRADES

No. 1: Trade Nick Madrigal, Jonathan Stiever, Reynaldo Lopez, and Zack Collins to San Fransisco for Mike Yastrzemski and Sam Selman. With Yastrzemski we add another guy who hits righthanded pitching well .952 OPS. Sam Selman is another cost controlled lefty for the bullpen.

SUMMARY

This should put the payroll around $138,5M.

VS. Tight
SS R Tim Anderson
RF L Mike Yastrzemski
1B/2B/DH R DJ LeMahieu
1B/DH R José Abreu
C B Yasmani Grandal
LF R Eloy Jiménez
3B/DH B Yoán Moncada
CF R Luis Robert
2B/3B L Tommy La Stella

VS. Left
SS R Tim Anderson
RF L Mike Yastrzemski
2B R DJ LeMahieu
1B R José Abreu
C B Yasmani Grandal
DH R Eloy Jiménez
3B B Yoán Moncada
CF R Luis Robert
LF R Adam Engel

Bench
Austin Hedges
Danny Mendick
Brook Holt
Adam Engel

Rotation
Lucas Giolito
Dallas Keuchel
Taijuan Walker
José Quintana
Dylan Cease/Michael Kopech/Dane Dunning

Bullpen
Codi Heuer
Aaron Bummer
Evan Marshall
Jace Fry
Matt Foster
Jimmy Cordero
Garrett Crochet
Sam Selman

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