After weeks of speculating about whether or not J.D. Martinez would opt out of his contract, as well as spending countless time thinking about how great he would look in the middle of the White Sox lineup, Martinez has elected to stay in Boston and not opt out of his contract….
This deer asks a very good question. For White Sox fans, Plan A for this offseason never came to fruition. Now, whether or not it’s a good idea to make a player who isn’t even a free agent part of your Plan A for the offseason is a completely different discussion, but I digress. The point is this: a player who was likely on the White Sox’ radar and could’ve solved a huge problem isn’t available, and the White Sox need to begin to consider other options to fill their needs. With needs for a RF, DH, depth, and some left-handed power, there are still plenty available options and ways to plan out this offseason. Let’s explore some of the things the White Sox need to keep in mind as they work to fix their offense heading into 2020.
Yasmani Grandal Needs to be Priority #1 for the Offense
There are five top-tier free agents this offseason: Anthony Rendon, Gerrit Cole, Stephen Strasburg, Zack Wheeler, and Yasmani Grandal. You could make an argument for more guys to be up there, but the reality is these guys are going to get big contracts. While any of these guys would instantly make the White Sox vastly better, they should be focusing on solving two of their biggest problems offensively in one player: a power hitting left-handed that provides catching depth.
A catching duo of Yasmani Grandal and James McCann makes the White Sox immensely better as a ball club than a duo of James McCann and Zack Collins/Seby Zavala/any Free Agent on the market. This is beating a dead horse at this point based on some writing at other Sox pages, but the point remains ever important: as a team that severely lacks depth, having Grandal/McCann as their two catchers would make the White Sox one of the best teams behind the plate. If the decision is made that guys like Strasburg and Cole will command too much money and would prevent the White Sox from filling all their holes, that’s fine, I can potentially see an argument for that. But there’s no argument against signing a proven left-handed power bat that’s phenomenal behind the plate. Yasmani Grandal should now be target #1 for the White Sox.
The Sox Might Need to Get Creative in RF/DH
Let’s dispel another popular rumor that has popped up since Martinez decided to opt out. Could the White Sox trade for J.D. Martinez instead? Here’s the problem: in the coming weeks, Martinez is going to have the chance to update the teams in his no-trade clause, and it is likely the teams that were rumored to be pursuing Martinez – the White Sox, Blue Jays, and Rangers – will find themselves on that list. By not opting out, Martinez has expressed his desire to stay in Boston and has the leverage with which he can ensure he does. It’s time to move on from J.D. Martinez for this year.
There are plenty of bats that should be appealing to the White Sox as they look to fill two other gaping holes in their lineup. However, if the Sox have learned anything from any DH they’ve trotted out there since Adam Dunn, it’s that players who aren’t used to being full-time DH’s don’t often do great job at the position. So, this is where the creativity comes in.
I think it has become a bit more likely that the White Sox would choose to take a flyer on Nick Castellanos. His power is legitimate, and his defense was improved enough at Wrigley that I might actually be convinced that Detroit’s OF really hurt him a ton. Any way you look at it, however, Castellanos is a very below average OF, and pairing him and Jimenez in the corner OF spots poses a ton of troubles for Luis Robert in CF.
This might lead the White Sox back down the road of looking at someone like Kole Calhoun to factor into this rotation. Calhoun was a Gold Glove finalist in the outfield, and while his offense is inconsistent, he does provide some of the best outfield defense on the free agent market. Finding a way to rotate Castellanos, Calhoun, Abreu, and Collins into some sort of 1B/RF/DH platoon could allow the White Sox to maximize their offensive output without consistently giving up too much on defense.
No matter how the White Sox decide to do it, there isn’t a “perfect fit” at either RF or DH for the White Sox. All remaining players have some weaknesses that don’t play well with the Sox’ current roster construction. As the White Sox look to fix their lineup, they might have to get a little creative in doing so.
It Might Not Be Wise to Lock Down a DH to a Long-Term Deal
Part of J.D. Martinez’s opt out likely had something to do with having a new GM in Boston. Chaim Bloom likely talked with Martinez about the opt out, promised to field a competitive team in this coming year, and convinced Martinez to stay for at least another season. Martinez, however, does have the ability to opt out of his contract in each of the next two seasons. So, if the Red Sox are unable to be competitive once again in a tough AL East, with Mookie Betts likely to depart after 2020, Martinez might also decide the window is closing a bit for the Red Sox and decide to test free agency. This also depends on the type of season Martinez has offensively, as a down year would likely cause him to once again not opt out. There are a lot of factors that go into this, but there is a possibility that J.D. Martinez becomes available next offseason.
The White Sox should get a high-caliber player to fill the DH position this season. However, they should also leave themselves the flexibility to decide to make a pursuit at J.D. Martinez again in 2021 should he opt out. A name to watch here would be Eric Thames. The Brewers declined his $7.5M option for 2020, stating a potential desire to bring him back on a different contract. Given his left-handed power and 1B/RF/DH abilities, the White Sox could look to bring in Thames on a one or two-year deal to see if he can continue the success he has found since he came back from playing overseas. Similarly, Mike Moustakas should be given consideration. He has the ability to play multiple infield positions and is familiar with the AL from his time in Kansas City. The common thread here? Left-handed power. Putting Thames or Moustakas in the center of the lineup along with Yasmani Grandal gives the White Sox the lefty power they have been lacking for the immediate future. If Thames or Moustakas work out well, it might not matter if J.D. Martinez decides to opt out. However, if neither of these players produces as necessary, their shorter term deals will allow the White Sox to find options elsewhere heading into 2021 – likely the most important year in recent competitive history for the Sox.
Another potential option could be to give Zack Collins a majority of the DH at-bats heading into 2020. This is indeed the most risky option, as DH could remain a pain point for the White Sox if Collins cannot produce. However, this is the most cost effective option, and if this move allows the White Sox to bolster their rotation and outfield further, this should absolutely be done. Collins also deserves an opportunity to work to establish himself in the White Sox lineup, as his elite hard-hit skills were on display after he came up in September again. There’s potential there, and perhaps not signing Martinez gives the Sox the opportunity to really find out what Collins can do. However, if the Sox decide a one-year fix is all they need for now, don’t be surprised if Edwin Encarnacion ends up on the South Side.
No matter which direction the White Sox choose to go at DH, it likely should not be a long-term one… for now. If the White Sox can get through this next year with at least average to slightly above average production at DH, then it’s likely considered a win. However, if the signed players prove not to be a long-term fix, that’s okay too – it then becomes more clear what the White Sox will need heading into 2021, which should be the first year that we as fans can expect a postseason run.
The White Sox Can’t – and Shouldn’t – Solve All Their Problems in Free Agency
This is the final piece of this offseason, and this was true long before J.D. Martinez decided to opt out. However, to form the most competitive team possible heading into 2020, the White Sox will have to look beyond free agency to do it. Names such as Reynaldo Lopez at the major league level and Andrew Vaughn at the minor league level might get thrown around this offseason. In addition, the classic names of Blake Rutherford, Jonathan Stiever, or Micker Adolfo are likely to get floated around as well.
Possible names to watch start with Nomar Mazara – a player who has struggled to reach his potential in a crowded Texas outfield – and Joe Pederson – a player on a team that has the ability to give up some OF depth for help at other positions. Both of these players would be instant upgrades in RF as left-handed bats.
Another possible name to watch for? Starling Marte. After the Pirates fired their manager and GM, it appears increasingly likely that a complete tear down will occur in Pittsburgh. So, assets like Marte, Chris Archer, or Gregory Polanco might become available. The White Sox likely have the prospect capital to acquire any of these Pirates players.
Names are absolutely going to be floating around this offseason, and if the White Sox see an opportunity to improve this current roster outside of free agency, they should absolutely take the chance. With the calendar soon turning to 2020, it has become less about prospect capital and more about major league depth and competitiveness. Ideally, a team wants both of these. However, in order to compete at the major league level, the minor league level might have to suffer a little – every team can’t be the Houston Astros, and like it or not, that’s unfortunately the reality of player development. We as fans just need to be ready to hear some of our favorite prospect names get floated around this offseason, because it’s absolutely what the White Sox should be doing in order to improve this roster.
No matter how you frame it, not having a chance at J.D. Martinez stinks. However, it doesn’t mean that there aren’t plenty of options available to the White Sox. I’ve only outlined a few of the ways they might choose to go, but the reality is that the White Sox have the payroll flexibility to create whichever path they would like to when addressing their offensive woes.
If I was in charge? I’d go full steam after Yasmani Grandal and look to upgrade my OF with either Mitch Haniger of the Mariners or Starling Marte. Both of these guys provide much better defensive options than the ones out there. I’d also look into signing Eric Thames, whose flexibility is intriguing in a roster with Collins and Abreu likely already on it. Switch out Eric Thames for Mike Moustakas, and a similar story remains.
In 2020, the White Sox should absolutely set themselves up to play above .500 baseball and give themselves a chance to make the postseason. Punting this offseason because they “couldn’t get their guy” would be foolish. At the same time, 2020 gives the White Sox one last year of experimentation. Whether it’s experimenting with Zack Collins, finding out if Eric Thames can continue his success, or even seeing what Nick Castellanos can provide in the OF, the White Sox have one last chance in 2020 to figure out what positions they just can’t seem to fill. Experimenting and competing in the same season can be done – the team on the field in 2020 doesn’t have to look exactly the same to the one in 2021. But no matter what, not signing J.D. Martinez is not the death blow to the White Sox offseason that a lot of fans have seen it as. Rather, it has provided Rick Hahn the opportunity to show what kind of a GM he really is and the vision he has for this team. Personally, I find that exciting as the White Sox build for 2020 and beyond.
Thoughts? Comments? Let me know on Twitter: @jlazowski14
Featured Photo: Boston Red Sox/Twitter
Starling Marte bats right-handed so he would not be the “perfect fit” for the White Sox. He only has minimal professional experience in RF and has never played the position in MLB. That said he is a nice all-around player, one who might even be a floor template for Luis Robert at 31 years of age. Marte does have the arm and athleticism to play RF but the White Sox would probably just let him play CF and move Robert to RF.
The Pirates will want a sizable return for Marte once they determine who replaces former GM Neal Huntington and which direction that hire will take with the team. My guess is a rebuild which means top prospects over MLB pieces.
If I’m Rick Hahn, I’d rather find the perfect fit in any trade discussions and that means a solid left-handed hitter with team control who is a certified RF. My first call goes to Andrew Friedman of the Dodgers who have a surplus of left-handed hitting OF’s that could fit the criteria. LA is not trading MVP candidate Cody Bellinger but might consider a deal for Alex Verdugo. They would prefer moving Joc Pederson who was a player reportedly discussed with the White Sox last offseason. Unfortunately, Pederson only has one more year of arbitration availability remaining this offseason before being eligible for free agency next winter.
I’d shoot for Verdugo first and not insult Friedman with a package of middling prospects and/or fringe MLB talent which could land Pederson. Verdugo would probably take a prospect like Andrew Vaughn and an arm like Reynaldo Lopez or Aaron Bummer to peak his interest. I’d be OK with that as White Sox GM because I believe Verdugo is the perfect fit for the White Sox with his strong high contact lefty bat, cannon arm and Gold Glove defense potential in RF. Verdugo is still only 23 and finally got an opportunity to garner regular playing time with the Dodgers in 2019 after a couple of cups of coffee in 2017 and 2018. He didn’t disappoint with a 3.1 bWAR through his first 106 games before suffering a lower back injury in early August. He aggravated his oblique with a big swing and miss during a September rehab assignment and was lost to LA for the remainder of the season and playoffs.
Pederson would be a nice consolation prize and give the White Sox the lefty power bat they also desire. He does not have the overall hitting ability of Verdugo. He whiffs a lot and has yet to demonstrate an ability to hit lefty pitching with any consistency. He would also cost less than Verdugo. If Verdugo is off-limits then Pederson would be a better lefty hitting OF option than any of the free agents in this year’s class. He might also be a candidate for a long term extension which could also fill the lefty bat/RF void on the southside.
I love the idea of getting Marte, who would be a perfect fit since he hits lefty and is still controlled for two more years at a relatively cheap cost, but what would the Sox have to give up to get him? I don’t think you really want to trade any of the core young pieces.