The White Sox have already filled a corner outfield spot by acquiring Nomar Mazara in a trade and added some notable salary by inking Yasmani Grandal, Dallas Keuchel and Gio Gonzalez as free agents. Despite that slate of moves, however, MLB.com’s Jon Morosi tweets that the ChiSox are still interested in bringing free-agent slugger Nicholas Castellanos into the fold.
Morosi suggests that the White Sox are comfortable with their payroll continuing to grow. He lists the team’s current obligations as close to $100MM, though that seemingly isn’t accounting for pre-arbitration players; Jason Martinez of Roster Resource has the club currently projected at just over $112MM, including Keuchel and Gonzalez — neither of whom has been formally announced by the team.
Regardless, it certainly would seem as though the Sox have the payroll capacity to fit Castellanos into the budget. The White Sox’ previous record for Opening Day payroll came back in 2011 when they approached $128MM, and the team’s clear shift from rebuild to win-now mode has naturally been accompanied by expectations of greater spending. They’ll also see Alex Colome, James McCann and Kelvin Herrera come off the books next season, so there’s ample space down the road as well.
With the Sox, Castellanos, Mazara and Eloy Jimenez could seemingly be rotated through the corner outfield spots and designated hitter in an effort to keep all three fresh. None of the bunch is capable of playing center field, even in a pinch, although top prospect Luis Robert is looming in the upper minors and should get his first look at the big leagues in 2020. With Robert and top second base prospect Nick Madrigal both believed to be on the cusp of MLB promotions, it’s certainly arguable that adding another potent bat to step in at designated hitter is a greater need than adding insurance in center field or at second base.
That said, the White Sox surely aren’t the only ones still vying for Castellanos and arguably don’t have as acute a need as some rival clubs. The Rangers, for instance, have been aggressive in reshaping their pitching staff but haven’t done anything to upgrade their lineup. The Reds have added Mike Moustakas but have reportedly been in the market for an outfielder since, so Castellanos would still seem to fit the bill there as well. Other clubs, including the Giants, D-backs and Cubs have all been linked to Castellanos to varying extents, although the Cubs seemingly aren’t going to spend at anywhere near the level it would take to bring Castellanos back to Wrigley Field.
catherines4
You go Sox! Let’s grab him!
realsox
I agree. While those three rotate on the corners and DH, Adam Engel provides excellent defense in center. I can see Leury Garcia at second. Both would provide valuable utility if and when Robert and Madrigal join the team.
ICanSeeTheFuture
While Engel is a great defensive CF, he cannot hit, or get on base. With Castellanos/Jimenez in the corners you’re almost forced to put him out there every day because the other 2 are so defensively limited. Sacrificing Defense for Offense doesn’t always pan out so I don’t think he’s a good fit. EE makes more sense as he can DH, and doesn’t really hurt the team if he’s playing 1st.
reality
DH Jimenez
LF Castellanos
RF Dickerson
Buy EE a ticket to a rest home in Sun City
soxtober05
Your logic of offense for defense is fundamentally flawed, in that you’re only talking about one player. How many times does a sacrifice fly or a sacrifice bunt,or some other form of run producing, productive out happen within a game? Almost always. Every day.Even one player creating an out without producing something throughout the year is only worth 1-3 outs in a given game. And if that same “unproductive” player is preventing runs from being scored, while his teammates ARE scoring, the trade-off IS in fact, worth it. So, yes; Adam Engel is a viable option for center.
Mikel Grady
Good logic until game 7 of World Series and bum fielder drops ball and you lose . Can’t hide them on field . Cubs won game 7 when Bryant tagged up on ball barely in outfield and almora tagged up in the 10th. Good thing Clemente wasn’t playing
reality
You are a Cubs troll.
Two words for your silliness.
DeWayne Wise.
The Sox understand defensive replacements.
Last time I checked the calender the Cubs won’t need to worry about a World Series, Game Seven situation for another 104 years.
Troll us back in 2124.
soxtober05
Re-read the whole post. I clearly said “PREVENTING…while his teammates ARE SCORING”….
reality
Game seven of a World Series is a great dilemma to be in.
Better than 62-100.
Sign Castellanos and Dickerson and EE.
Get to game seven all day long and worry about a 12 – 11 loss.
Not saying those guys put the Sox there but I am sick f waiting.
15 years I can deal with.
108 years is better suited for the bandwagon losers on the Northside.
ChiSox_Fan
Don’t stop now boys!!
bitteroldman
I’m sorry but every time I heard Hawk say that I cringed. Too much of a pedo undertone to it,
ramonskee
Wtf? That NEVER crossed my mind…
atlas bunts
That’s a sick & twisted slant on Hawk-Hyperbole. Yikes
ForestCobraAL
Can Scott Boras come through again?
ChiSox_Fan
An hour from now there will be a new post saying Sox really really very seriously interested.
Wilford Brimley
Oh.
Bronyaur111
Now is the time for the Sox to step up – the Cubs seem to be satisfied to be mediocre or worse for a bit.
tomsack
Don’t stop now boys
mistry gm
If the Cubs get out bid by ANYONE for Castellanos Epstein should immediately be forced OUT OF CHICAGO!
GoAwayRod
Are the Cubs actually bidding for him? Like… do they want him back?
Fred K. Burke
The Cubs at this current point in time can’t bid on anyone like Castellanos. They can’t do much of anything until they decrease payroll. We have all heard the narrative and it’s been well documented The Cubs could not even bid on Eric Sogard or Cesar Hernandez. Two players who are relatively cheap and could help the 2nd base situation/utility role. The Cubs are turning into the Chicago Blackhawks-Less two Championships that is. But their situations are similar.
justinept
I will never understand the fascination w/ Castellanos. good player, sure. But some Cubs fans are acting like he’s an MVP calibur guy. He’s not.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I think they’re putting too much stock in Bryant and his trade value. Their entire offseason plan seems wrapped up in whether they have one or two years of control left of him. I think they should have either gone all-in and damn the luxury tax or started a rebuild. It’s now a bit late for the former and a lot of the contenders have addressed their needs, so the latter is also more difficult. Just feels like their offseason has been mismanaged this year.
Vandals Took The Handles
@ hyraxwithaflamethrower;
What the Cubs need to do here is to make 2-3 savvy trades along with a couple of surgical signings of lower level free agents.
Unfortunately, Epstein seldom did that in Boston. Mostly he used an ever-growing budget to take on salary in trade, often picking up a quality secondary player that the small/mid-market team had to attach in order to get an unaffordable salary off their books.
Front offices have now caught up using analytics and are guarding against not getting struck with bad long-term contracts – something Epstein is guilty of with the Cubs.
Bryant is a one or two year rental. No one is emptying their ML-ready top prospects to get him. When discussing the Mets possibly trading for Willson Contreras, Joel Sherman accurately described him as a young Wilson Ramos. In both cases should the Cubs trade them, they’ll have to find some undervalued players that they can develop at the major league level – not easily done with a rookie manager. This might be difficult, as I can’t think of one sharp trade Epstein and his staff have made since they won in 2016. Maybe I missed it
jdan74
I have zero faith that Epstein can get this done. It’s not his strong suit. He’s good at exploiting (now closed) glitches in international draft slots, and being able to sign tons of prospects for next to nothing.
Essentially, he has always been a “throw a ton of them at the wall and see what sticks” kind of GM. You can’t do that in today’s game.
He is atrocious at evaluating current major league talent and reading the tea leaves. He is basically a C- level GM/President, at this current time period.
The writing is on the wall. Ricketts has handcuffed him because he doesn’t trust him, and he doesn’t want one of his head-scratcher signings to handcuff the team’s payroll in the future.
That future will not include Theo, because I think it’s pretty obvious that both of these party’s are going to go their separate ways in 2 years.
The Theo from 2011-2016 is VERY different from the Theo of 2017-2020.
Munkes2
well you sure have it all figured out don’t cha… Last sharp trade ,,,hmmm Castillionos for a couple of mid-low level prospects isnt sharp enough I guess… And wth is a 2 year rental lol most teams windows for a title are only open for 4-5 years, so if a team needed a 3rd baseman to help in that window its not a rental, its a piece of the puzzle… Like Atlanta or Nats or Philly… You realize that Atlanta has a window before they have to pay Acuna, Albies, their young arm’s, and by the time Bryant’s 2 yrs is up their decisions are based off of who to keep around and who to move on from ,,,exactly where the cubs are now
sergefunction
No GM kudos for anyone who swindles Al Avila.
Citing a GM as a skilled trader after skinning Avila is like watching someone fall out of an airplane, slam to the ground, and assert they were proficient at flying.
chicagofan1978
Yes cause the Sox are totally chasing the Cubs in that division. Some of you Sox fans need to realize who the real enemy is.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I think he means the Cubs aren’t really going after Castellanos more than that the White Sox can finally catch the Cubs in the standings, though that also looks likely this year.
Bronyaur111
I am a very longtime Cub fan.
friendly illinois brethren
Sorry to hear it.
DB16
Who gives a flying duck!
twentyforty
All the new faces for the Sox…and the same result will follow…futility.
paindonthurt
Another Sox post turned into a Cubs post/vice versa. Yawn…
dynamite drop in monty
Y’all see Rich Hill got arrested at the Patriots game Saturday lmao what a dunce
maximumvelocity
Do it.
Won’t help defensively (better than Mazara though) but could platoon with Mazara, DH, and possibly play at 1B.
Feasted at Cell and murdered LHP last season.
Makes much more sense than EE. I can live with butchers in corners fir a season defensively, as they can address again next offseason.
jneumann
They don’t need him wtf their outfielder is packed
keysox
No to him – rather see an outfielder like Matt Joyce 1/4
Addison Russell 1/4?
Anthony Princeton
White Sox DH right now looks like some combination of Zack Collins and James McCann. That might work in a platoon.. Eloy, Grandal, Abreu and Mazara could see time there but are the primary LF, C, 1B and RF respectively. There certainly is room for a Castellanos or Encarnacion.
Robert will be in CF at some point. The other OF’s are Leury and Engel, both suited for backup duty due to either versatility (Leury) or exceptional defense (Engel)
ChiSox_Fan
Maybe when Collins learns to hit MLB pitchers.
In the meantime, he is a trade chip.
Priggs89
And where exactly would you like him to learn that?
It’s almost like he needs a legitimate opportunity.
IronBallsMcGinty
So after one partial year in the bigs they should just give up on a promising young player?
reality
Collins needs to Bat 3 times a game in AAA until mid-season.
He will be fine.
You are correct, he will not improve without Reps.
He will only be one catcher being dinged away from the show.
McCann is the trade bait at mid-season.
twentyforty
Robert won’t hit .220 this year in the majors. Pump the brakes on him and look at track records.
chitown311
How angry are you as a cubs fan right now?
maximumvelocity
The team has no DH, and the idea of McCann/Collins rotating there is not remotely inspiring.
Castellanos could effectively play RF against LHP and DH against RHP.
That would keep Mazara to platoon, where he belongs.
tgallagher
I agree but would love to see them acquire Starling Marte to play RF. Is there a right handed free agent OF to platoon with Mazara and DH?
reality
Marte will cost you two or three prospects.
Monday:
Starling Marte signed a 6 year / $31,000,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, including a $2,000,000 signing bonus, $31,000,000 guaranteed, and an annual average salary of $5,166,667. In 2020, Marte will earn a base salary of $11,500,000, while carrying a total salary of $11,500,000.
mamss
This move makes too much sense. Make it happen
Ejemp2006
It doesn’t make sense if Castellanos wants more than 50 million
Priggs89
Go for it
maximumvelocity
We finally agree lol
Dumpster Divin Theo
Move ahead.
Dumpster Divin Theo
It’s not too late.
throwinched10
Castellanos doesn’t seem to have many suitors who are competitive. This would be a great move for the Sox.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Even though I’m a White Sox fan, my guess is the Rangers end up with him. They need to make another move even more than the Sox do. The fit works, they have a clear need, and they also have the money. I think they’re probably a touch more desperate. I hope I’m wrong.
Ejemp2006
The Rangers have Choo at DH and plenty of young outfield options. Not going to happen.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Ah, Choo. Nothing to sneeze at the young talent the Rangers are assembling.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Though with the limited fielding capabilities of some of the stiffs the Tejas ballclub sends out there, maybe recommision as the No-Rangers. Amirite?
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I’ve been hoping for this since the off-season began. Come on, Jerry, write that big check!
rynosox14
Think I’d rather go wirh encarcion for 1 year vs Nick C for 3 or 4 years. Next year would be crowded with Vaugh potentially coming up with DH
maximumvelocity
Not really.
Castellanos can still play in RF, and Mazara get some at bats here and there against RHP.
I see nothing wrong with depth, and that’s all Mazara should be.
spencer99
they need a second baseman more IMO
Priggs89
They need a second baseman for like 2 weeks. Leury and Mendick should be fine until Madrigal gets the call.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Madrigal is coming up 2-3 weeks into the season. They should be fine there.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Yolmer back on team friendly deal
reality
Sign Castellanos RHB 27 yo and Corey Dickerson LHB 30 yo (2 years for $15 Million)
both free agents/ No picks forfeited.
Forget Ozuna, he cost a draft pick.
Forget EE, he played with Minnie Minoso.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Why do they need both Castellanos and Dickerson? They already have backup OFs in Mazara and Engel, backup options at DH in McCann/Grandal (whichever isn’t catching), Abreu, and Collins, with Vaughn coming up probably next year sometime. Dickerson is superfluous. That money would be better spent on relievers or saved to address next year’s holes.
reality
1. Engel can not hit.
2. Collins needs to catch everyday in AAA until the Sox trade McCann in July
3. McCann is not capable of DHing against Righties BA/265 SLG/448 OPS/ 759
4. WHY Dickerson ?
• He’s one of 23 hitters to be an above-average hitter by OPS+ for six straight seasons (min. 200 PAs per season).
• His 121 OPS+ since 2014 is tied with Justin Upton for 29th out of 130 hitters with at least 2,500 plate appearances in that span.
• His .870 OPS against right-handed pitchers since 2014 is tied with Giancarlo Stanton for 17th out of 108 hitters with at least 2,000 plate appearances.
• Of hitters with at least 200 batted balls last season, Dickerson had the third-highest sweet-spot rate (frequency of contact in the optimal launch angle range). He’s close to Mike Trout in this area.
• His numbers are solid against all types of pitching: fastballs (.293 batting average, .512 slugging percentage), breaking balls (.286/.506), offspeed (.270/.486).
• Defensively, Dickerson was worth plus-10 Outs Above Average in 2018 (tied for 12th among 174 outfielders). He won a Gold Glove Award for the Pirates that season and was an All-Star for the Rays in ’17.
Dumpster Divin Theo
And the Sox have a bounty of OF types ready in a few seasons: Rutherford, Basabe, Gonzalez, Adolfo. Lock down relievers p plz
bravesfan
I mean there team gets better immediately by getting him. But seems like a lot of potential DH hitters on one team in my opinion. Not sure that typically a good problem to have, but it’s not exactly a bad one. I’ll say this… defense will suffer somewhere if they get him. Can’t DH everyone
hyraxwithaflamethrower
True, but his flaws will be mitigated somewhat by patrolling a smaller area and having a plus defender in center. For years, he chewed up Sox pitching (Sale aside, didn’t everyone?), but was especially good in Chicago. His bat would more than make up for his glove.
maximumvelocity
Truth is, the season’s market features corner outfielders who can field, center fielders who can’t really hit, and Puig, who is Puig. It’s pick your defect.
bravesfan
No doubt
davemlaw
What about trading for JD Martinez?
Get Boston to eat some money, hes a better hitter than Castellanos and defensively they’re both subpar so 2 days a week in the OF.
GoAwayRod
I sorta doubt the Sox are going to want to eat salary to move him. He’s a very productive player, even if the contract isn’t great for a pure DH.
If it were my money, I’d rather take JD at 3/$62M than Castellanos at… whatever his market is at this point. MLBTR has him at a 4/$58M prediction.
So yeah, JD for $20M a year over 3? Or Castellanos for $15ishM a year for 4… gimme JD.
Hard to walk with four balls
…and Boston isn’t going to just give him away. Stop trying to sell off the farm.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Because JDM will opt out after this next year, while Castellanos would be under contract for 4-5..
Let’s not forget that JDM opted back into his deal with Boston knowing the White Sox were keen to sign him. He either thought the AAV wouldn’t match what he’s getting this year (I imagine it would have matched or surpassed it) or he just wanted to play for Boston more, which leads me to believe he’d be gone after 1 year.
GoAwayRod
The ChiSox should go for this. The deeper they can make their lineup, the better at this point.
Frankly, it sounds like this rebuild’s success or failure is going to be more to do with the success of Robert/Madrigal/Jimenez than anything Castellanos does or doesn’t do regardless. The core guys are on the cusp, and it doesn’t hurt to spend money on productive veterans to fill things out. Shows the kids that there’s a level of commitment.
I don’t love Castellanos, or for that matter, Kuechel and Grandal long-term, but it seems like the strategy isn’t to expect HUGE contributions from any of them individually. More that each is a steady hand who holds up their end and sets the kids up for success.
Jimenez had a solid year. Anderson and Moncada seem reasonably game. The pitching is starting to come together. Go for it, the more the merrier. Add Nick the Greek to the mix.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Honestly, the rebuild as I see it hinges on the starting rotation. Giolito sustaining his success seems reasonable, but Lopez and Cease have to take big steps forward, Kopech has to come back from his injury and learn control, and Dunning (or someone else) eventually has to join them. Rodon will probably never be healthy and Gio and Keuchel are fine for the next couple years, but aren’t headliners. Their offense should be fine; it’s their pitching I worry about.
slider32
Sox are only at 100 million, they could land Castellanos and EE and still have money to spend at the deadline! If they do that they can win the central.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
$100M is before pre-arb players. Actual salary is around $112M currently. Still, yeah, a fair bit of room to grow.
d-rock2322
I agree with getting both of them on the offensive side…but one of them would have to play in the field, probably Castellanos. Not the end of the world, but it would weaken the defense a bit.
Ejemp2006
The owner needs liquid assets to pay contracts. Maybe they are worth a lot and set to earn a lot but the owner is cash poor.
maximumvelocity
No use for both of them. Then you would have too many DH types.
If they end up with EE, I’d still go after Puig, and platoon him with Mazara. If its Castellanos, that’s a wrap on the offense outside of a clear bench player.
reality
I would not let Puig into the White Sox’ locker room on an off day.
May spread Antonio Brown Syndrome.
The last guy you want around a young team is Puig.
Spend hundreds of millions and have a .10 cent brain screw it up.
JoBu say “Muy Mal.”
basquiat
Puig is a cancer for a team.
Moneyballer
I’m surprised his market isn’t 5-6 teams deep. I get that his defense is lacking but man that guy can HIT and can hit in the clutch! I’d want him on my team, that’s for sure.
fishy14
The same owner is paying
Otto porter 33 mill a year
Camren Felicio 13 mill a year
For a year and 40 games of D wade cost him 45 mill
Spend the $ on the Sox forget that other dumpster fire
reality
Interesting Production Comparison. Dickerson could be signed for 2 years for $15 million.:
Eloy Jimenez
SLG OPS
Lefties 0.459 0.781
Righties SLG OPS
0.535 0.847
Batting Average: Lefties 0.259 Righties 0.270
Corey Dickerson
SLG OPS
Lefties 0.492 0.782
Righties SLG OPS
0.587 0.942
Batting Average: Lefties 0.271 Righties 0.313
Priggs89
I think you’d be better off comparing the production of Dickerson to Mazara/Castellanos instead of a rookie.
But yes, he can rake when healthy.
reality
Here are a few Dickerson comparisons.
• He’s one of 23 hitters to be an above-average hitter by OPS+ for six straight seasons (min. 200 PAs per season).
• His 121 OPS+ since 2014 is tied with Justin Upton for 29th out of 130 hitters with at least 2,500 plate appearances in that span.
• His .870 OPS against right-handed pitchers since 2014 is tied with Giancarlo Stanton for 17th out of 108 hitters with at least 2,000 plate appearances.
• Of hitters with at least 200 batted balls last season, Dickerson had the third-highest sweet-spot rate (frequency of contact in the optimal launch angle range). He’s close to Mike Trout in this area.
• His numbers are solid against all types of pitching: fastballs (.293 batting average, .512 slugging percentage), breaking balls (.286/.506), offspeed (.270/.486).
• Defensively, Dickerson was worth plus-10 Outs Above Average in 2018 (tied for 12th among 174 outfielders). He won a Gold Glove Award for the Pirates that season and was an All-Star for the Rays in ’17.
Priggs89
Cool. I said in the beginning of the offseason that I wanted Dickerson to be a 2-year stopgap until Steele was hopefully ready. I know he can play when healthy. Clearly that idea is not possible anymore.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Thanks for all the cool data Dickerson’s mom
reality
Great comments from WillieWonker
The Cub’s troll.
housemoney
Is there any chance Castellanos could go back to 3B? Any Tigers fans out there who watched him at that position in ’14, ’15 and ’16? Is he truly unsalvageable at that spot?
BobSacamano
I don’t think so. It always seemed like he was in a good spot, but always a step behind. I always enjoyed Nicky and thought he was picking up RF pretty well, just a slow reactor.
sergefunction
Nick Castellanos cannot play 3B. Period.
He cannot play RF. Period.
With 1B suddenly open despite paying $30+M per annum to the incumbent, Detroit asked Nick to take a shot there to see how less-horrific a 1B glove would look on him. He refused the opportunity.
I thought that was stupid then, and it was. It was obvious the Tigers were never going to retain him, and it hurt his feelings. He is one of the few MLB’ers who wear their sensitivity openly (which is actually refreshing). But that pique has cost him.
His emotional decision to decline was based on that. Short-sighted. A lost chance to audition for suitors.
Spare the crap about his fielding improvement. Watch him. With the bat he is a maestro. With the mitt he is cringe comedy.
RicoD
Based on your argument, you proved that moving to 1B mid season would have hurt his market. Clearly he was making progress in RF. He would be starting over again at 1B and probably would have had a rough start/season. That move would have hurt his value and who knows if he would have been traded to the cubs based on that.
sergefunction
“Clearly he was making progress…”?
What? Clearly you haven’t a clue. Noting any meaningful outfield “progress” was lost in his overall inability to play the field. He’d probably be Dr. Strangeglove at first, anyway, but he needed to at least open some eyes, just in case.
Awful at third. Awful in right. Would have liked to see a couple of months at first. Just in case he could be hidden there. You’ll notice his market remains chilled. Why? BECAUSE UNLIKE YOU THE PROFESSIONALS KNOW HIS “PROGRESS” IS NON-EXISTENT. His eventual contract won’t reflect the market value of his bat.
With his offensive stature still growing, there should be a long line at his door. With his mitt, he should be an MLBTR commenter.
Grebek7
4 for 80 mil for Ryu, wow that’s a lot more than Sox paid for Keuchel. Bidding for Ryu got too steep for a SP w/ his injury history for Jerry, i suppose. Not sure whether Reynaldo will ever become a solid SP, sure hope Cease becomes one. Sign E.E. & Castellanos then we can surely mash as well as the Twinkies did last yr. Twins by the way are the only other team in the Central Sox will have to compete with for the division ( after Cleveland sells off all their assets ). Would like to know what kind of pkg Indians want for Jose Ramirez ? Dude had a real slow start in 2019 but is an absolute stud hitter, base stealer. Dont stop now Rick, congrats to Hawk
pplama
2015 all over again.
1 good acquisition and a bunch of flawed mid-level non-difference makers, brought in to bolster an incomplete core with zero depth.
The Reds and Phillies just showed this still doesn’t work.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Blah blah blah complain
maximumvelocity
Problem is, there really isn’t much left to work with this offseason.
They can’t make a trade, because they have no assets. But they can’t stand pat, because that’s a waste of the window.
This is just where the team is, because of the lack of progress from internal options.
pplama
Money tied up in declining assets like Keuchel or Catellanos can close that window more easily than prematurely open it.
Better to let the talent dictate contention and sign deserving young internal talent or 1 superstar when the time is right than cross your fingers with a bunch of ill-fitting and aging plugs.
IF Kopech, Cease, Madrigal, Robert, Bummer and Anderson take steps, use the $ for Betts next year and have 5 years of potential playoff runs. Don’t rinse and repeat failed strategy from 4 years ago.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Nearly all baseball FA’s, by your logic, then are declining assets if you include a 28-yr old (as of Opening Day) Castellanos. Guess how old Mookie will be as of Opening Day 2021? 28. Damn shame how ancient and unusable these guys are, I guess.
maximumvelocity
But you know the talent situation. Once the top guys graduate, this is one of the worst systems in MLB.
If this team wins, it’s going to be reminiscent of 2005, when they won because everyone hit their top projections.
I don’t like it either, but this is what you have to do when you can’t draft, or can’t develop players.
This is how this team with this management will have to win.
pplama
Umm…That’s why you wait and sign the premier FA’s, hyrax.
Decline of a 7 fWAR player isn’t as detrimental to a multi-year playoff run.
It’s not rocket science.
Dumpster Divin Theo
Sure they are. That Ricky is a baaad man!
Idioms for Idiots
I’m probably overthinking all of this, because they’re rumors until these guys are signed.
Are the Sox going after both EE and Cast, or just one or the other? And if it is both, why would they bother with the Mazara trade, and more importantly, will they now try to trade him? I can’t imagine they want a $6MM bench player (otherwise they would have kept Yolmer). And if they were to sign both, they better send Collins back down, because he’s not getting a sniff in that lineup, and he needs all the AB’s he can get.
I’ll be curious to see what the offense ends up once the dust settles in March. Pitching should be set, though you can never have enough upgrades in the pen.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
My guess is they’re after both. EE on a one-year deal, perhaps with a team option for a second year, fits with the timeline because Vaughn is penciled in as the 1B or DH of the future, sharing those positions with Abreu. Castellanos fits the long-term goals because they’d go from having the worst RF production offensively to among the best. After Eloy and Robert, their OF prospects haven’t been that amazing. As for Mazara, that confuses me a little, too; my only guess is they see untapped potential and think maybe he could force his way into the lineup as a 4th OF/backup DH and maybe be a trade chip or depth in case a corner OF gets hurt.
Finally, with Collins, teams have a 26th roster spot this year. I expect most to use it to carry a 3rd catcher. You’re right, it’d be fewer AB’s, but it looks like Mercedes may become the better hitter at the position anyway. Collins’ future may just be a 1B/DH type.
LaFlamaBlanca
Are the white sox really vying for the title of worst defense in all of baseball? OF of Mazara, jimenez, and castellanos is atrocious to say the least. And the infield of moncada, anderson, garcia, and abreu yuck. Not sure what they were thinking with the keuchel signing as he is a big time groundball pitcher. Still a 3rd place team.
maximumvelocity
They play in a big time home run park.
Ground balls don’t over the fence.
wordonthestreet
But the ones that are not ground balls can and will
knuck2
Moncada played a solid 3B last year and Garcia is only keeping 2B warm for Gold Glove potential Madrigal. Anderson showed in the second half of 2018 that he can be way better than he showed in 2019 (lack of concentration plus a little too much mustard on the hot dog in him). He needs to get back to 2018 second half. I was hoping he could work some with Vizquel in spring training but that is no longer a possibility.
reality
Great observations Knucky.
Statistically Moncada out played and out produced a guy everyone wanted to pay $30 million a year.
Abreu is fine. Everyone’s Papi in the clubhouse.
Concyr, Anderson needs to remove the extra mustard and only run 30 feet from short, towards the left field wall on pop ups. He bats .335 again he can over throw first a few times a month.
2nd base will have a Dustin Pedroia type soon enough. [April 14th]
Whiteflamer run on an non existent outfield defensive set-up combination is wacked.
You will always have sub par defenders, if you want a .275 plus 20 homerun hitters in the batting order,some right handed hitters some lefties.
Mixing and matching the pitching they will face.
With the new three batter minumum, pitching rule, bats are more important than ever.
CF will have Robert there on opening day, after the extension is signed.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
OF will have Robert in it for most of the year (all of it if he signs the rumored deal he’s been offered) and he’s a plus defender. Moncada is serviceable at 3B and Madrigal, who has GG potential, will be up about 2-3 weeks into the season at 2B. Abreu’s about -1DWAR per year for his career; he’s not great, but that’s not atrocious, either. Anderson, I will grant, is terrible and Eloy and Castellanos are poor.
As for them being a 3rd-place team, that kind of depends on the rest of the offseason. The Twins haven’t done much of anything and have lost some of their solid contributors from last year; the Indians have traded away Kluber and may trade away Clevinger and Lindor; the White Sox, meanwhile, have added one of the game’s best catchers, shored up the back end of their rotation (which was a train wreck last year), have the #3 and #40 prospects in baseball coming up early, the #17 prospect coming back from injury, and may add Castellanos and Edwin Encarnacion, who’s still effective as a DH. Maybe that’s not enough to take the Twins, but the Twins and Indians look to be significantly worse and the White Sox look to be much better. Should be a fun year.
Idioms for Idiots
@LaFlamaBlanca
Problem with your logic is the OF won’t be Mazara, Cast, and Eloy. It will be Eloy, Robert and either Cast or Mazara. On days Robert rests, it will probably be Engel. It will still be a bad OF defense overall, but at least you have 1 of the 3 OF’s being a good OF.
As much as I don’t care for Mazara, I’d rather they stick with him as the RF and get a RF next Winter. And if by some miracle Adolfo can prove he can stay healthy for a full season, he could be their future RF. I know, big if, but one can dream.
I’m not going to throw a fit if they get Cast, but I’d rather they went a different route. I think Hahn’s moving a little too fast right now, and hopefully doesn’t ride that wave of momentum too long and hinder the team long-term. Personally, I’d rather he stop right now and they roll with what they have, and make adjustments in July and next Winter.
Even if they grab Cast and EE, I see them as about an 85 win team. They could win more being in the worst division in MLB, but they’re still a year away from thinking about the WS with all the uncertainties and expected rookie struggles. I would love to be proven wrong on this.
ChiSoxCity
Why did the cubs even sign Castellanos to begin with? Theo trades for the guy—he comes in with a great attitude and absolutely rakes—cubs let him walk. Nothing this front office has done the last five years makes any sense.
RicoD
This is exactly my thought… in regards to letting him walk. Obviously years and AAV are big deciding points on a free agent but you put a lot of thought into how they fit on the team, clubhouse chemistry, fan engagement etc. After seeing the impact he had on the field and in the clubhouse, I would sign him and sort out the Bryant trade afterwards. By the time they sort out KBs situation no one will be left.
richardschiefer
Jealous cub fans exist here THE SOX ARE ON A UPWARD PROJECTORY AND SOX ARE GOIN UP AND I MEAN UP TO THE TOP WE ARE THE SOX NATION AND ALL U TEAMS BEST WATCH OUT
scottaz
Dbacks have the money ($18M) and will sign Castellanos! Everybody else, just relax and try for other free agents.
Munkes2
Yes sign him!!!
Then trade for Schwarber so your outfield is full of DHs and have the worst defensive of all time Maraza, Eloy, Nic, Schwarber… Ive seen better fielders in a coed rec beer league
Idioms for Idiots
@Munkes2
You do realize 1 of the 3 OF will be Robert and when he doesn’t man CF, it will probably be one of the greatest defensive OF in MLB right now in Engel.
So worst defensive OF of all time is quite a bit off.
jim stem
Defense is over rated when you can win many more games with a .300/30/100 bat. Come on Mets, make this move now that you have both Marisnick and Nimmo who can double switch in for defense late in games.
McNeil lf
Conforto cf
Alonso 1b
Castellanos rf
Davis 3b
Ramos c
Rosario ss
Cano 2b
Pitcher
…doesn’t get much better than that!