The White Sox are next in our 2012 Contract Issues series.
Eligible For Free Agency (5)
- Mark Buehrle is a 10-and-5 player, so if the White Sox trade him they need his permission. I mention this because his contract has a unique clause that adds on a guaranteed $15MM for 2012 only if he's traded. If he does reach free agency, Buehrle is inclined to play for a contender and in a place that is comfortable for his family. Retirement isn't out of the question. Buehrle told Dan McNeil of the Chicago Tribune last month that he doesn't know what the White Sox are thinking, and speculated that maybe they think Chris Sale could do a better job for a lot less money.
- Edwin Jackson, a Scott Boras client, seems very likely to test the open market. A breakout season would be nice for his wallet, but so far he's been his inconsistent self. Though they could lose two starters to free agency, the Sox don't necessarily have to bring two in, if they want to try Sale or Jake Peavy is healthy.
- Left fielder Juan Pierre is eligible for free agency, so the Sox may need a corner outfielder this offseason.
- Omar Vizquel and Ramon Castro will also be eligible for free agency.
Contract Options (0)
Arbitration Eligible (3)
- First time: None
- Second time: None
- Third time: John Danks, Carlos Quentin, Tony Pena
- Fourth time: None
The White Sox may have to pay Danks, Quentin, and Pena $20MM for 2012. That includes a $10MM estimate for Danks, which could be light. Comparables are scarce for front-end starters in their final arbitration year, but Carlos Zambrano made the leap from $6.5MM to $12.4MM.
2012 Payroll Obligation
The White Sox have a $94.75MM payroll obligation for 2012, according to Cot's, with four $12MM+ salaries locked in. Throw in another $20MM for the arbitration eligible players, and the team would have roughly $13MM to play with in 2012 salaries if payroll is held constant at $128MM. The team might need a starter or two, a corner outfielder, and some veteran reserves, but GM Kenny Williams will have to be creative (perhaps by backloading contracts) if he wants to bring in high-salary players, unless payroll is increased again.
The White Sox are looking pretty good. With most of the players locked up the small amount of money free should not be too difficult to overcome.
I like the ChiSox (the enemy of the Cubs is my friend) but they do have some offseason hurdles to overcome. The rotation will take a significant hit if Buerhle and Edwin leave, and currently the bullpen appears to need some fixing as well.
But the lineup is very good and not losing anyone, so if Kenny can make a couple “creative” moves for pitching as suggested in the post, the team should be fine overall. If Peavy ever gets healthy, that would also help. Sadly, the 3-0, 1.35ERA, 0.850WHIP Sox debut in 2009 feels like eons ago.
I would be worried about the rotation but I think Phil Humbar could be a possible fifth starter and I still see Buehrle coming back. I still think the bullpen troubles is a hiccup.
Left field next season will be either Mitchell or Jordan danks( with the other one being a 4th of or trade) Carlos if he puts together a strong season will be packaged with a prospect or two and traded for a pitcher. And dyan vicedio will be the right fielder next season.
I could see Quentin or Rios going, but right now there’s no way I’d pencil in some combination of Viciedo, Mitchell, and Danks for the corners (especially because Danks has regressed and Mitchell is a big big question mark right now). Not Kenny’s MO — there will be a veteran corner outfielder brought in if Quentin gets traded. Possibly even a return of Pierre.
White Sox don’t want Buehrle? Now you can start some Yankees speculation.
It’s not that they don’t want buehrle. It’s that they have Chris sale who by all accounts is better than buehrle for a fraction if the cost. And buehrle will only play for two teams. The sox or his home town team the cards, he has pretty much said that. If the six can resign him for the 6-10 mill a season mark 99% of us sox fans would be ok with that
Frankly, I always liked the guy. He seems the type who fans would like to see retire having worn only one jersey. That being said, if he comes available, I doubt he’ll limit himself to the Cards and White Sox. There’s no financial leverage in that, and I can’t see him not wanting another chance at a title.
That doesn’t mean he’ll come the Yanks direction, but there are a number of franchises whom he could make better – and little hope for good pitchers making it to the Free Agent market soon.
The Sox may be in some serious trouble.
KW needs to go back to moves we don’t like (at the time of trade), acquiring Podsednik (C-Lee), Danks (McCarthy), Floyd (Freddy), Q (Chris Carter) and Thome (Rowand/Gio)… McCarthy may be a stretch, but Danks had shown nothing at the time and when we traded Freddy, who knew he would fall a part as soon as he arrived in Philly.
We better not lose edwin or buherle!
The chances that the Sox sign Jackson are appx the same chances I have to be MVP of the NBA finals
Is this D-Rose?
Lets focus on winning this year first.
Tim you might want to make note that there could be even more money coming off the books this season. If peavy can’t get healthy enough Dan McNeil said he might have to retire so. I doubt it would happen because of peavys pride but if he did it for the team it would free up an extra 20 million
I understand that it should be stated in this post, but it’s just not going to happen, at all. Pride aside, Peavy does not seem like the type of guy to forego $20+ million.
There’s insurance money for Peavy, too . . . pretty sure that’s how they were able to pay for Jackson and Manny last year. (ok. not sure at all. Speculatin’)
let Edwin and Mark go.They are going to cost to much .Put dayan viciedo in RF and have Danks/Mitchel in LF put sale as a forth starter.Kenny is a pimp he will get it done.
KW is losing is pimp status.
I don’t consider Jordan Danks a prospect any more. Since 2009, he’s proven he can’t hit at either the Double A or Triple A level. This year he turns 25 with a Triple A average around .150 while his propensity to SO continues – 12 K’s in 40 AB’s. He may have a glove but there’s no bat here.
However, our Sox OF could be quite good in the near term with Mitchell, Viciedo, Trayce Thompson and even Jose Martinez.
We aren’t going to pay Buehrle $14M per year again.
Edwin Jackson is gone because Scott Boras is his agent.
John Danks (who has the same agent as Buehrle) could very well be traded before he becomes a free agent at the end of the 2012 season.
The return for Danks would likely include a good young pitcher.
Chris Sale goes to the rotation.
Jacob Petricka (2010 2nd pick) is a possible starter in the next year or two.
Addison Reed (2010 3rd pick) may also be a starter though he’s pitching in relief right now in the minors.
We’re pretty set with Ramirez and Beckham so prospects like Escobar and Saladino may be interesting trade chips since middle IF’s are always in demand.
But the one certainty is that Kenny won’t sit on his hands when there are holes to be filled.
I love Buehrle as much as the next guy, but if some team is willing to pay him ace money after this season he should jump at it and the Sox should let him. He is not invincible and all those innings are going to catch up with him soon.
It would be bad business for the Sox to pay ace money for a pitcher on the decline, and fans will forgive Kenny for losing Buehrle when they see him pitch poorly for another team. (Buehrle, not Kenny.) Like Frank Thomas, Buehrle will always be a White Sox even if his declining years are spent with another team.
It’s time for a White Sox clear out…..Ozzie, Kenny & Greg Walker need to go!!