Will White Sox Make One More Impact Move?
Sep 9, 2014; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
John Danksthrows a pitch against the Oakland Athletics during the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox have systematically filled almost every need this offseason. However, most White Sox fans would agree that the back end of the rotation remains one of the weakest points on a team that is labeling itself as a legit contender.
Jul 30, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher
Hector Noesi(48) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
As it currently stands, veteran John Danks and Hector Noesi will slot in at the No. 4 and No. 5 spots respectively. It’s possible that pitching coach Don Cooper continues to mold Noesi into a serviceable backend option, but the stuff of the RHP would potentially play better in the bullpen as a long reliever, a position the White Sox have yet to lock up this offseason.
John Danks isn’t going anywhere, at least not with two final years of his contract ($28.5 million) still on the books.
The lefty Danks is still trying to reinvent himself after a shoulder injury caused him to lose velocity, which has made him much more vulnerable to opposing hitters. The question for Chicago is, “What Danks will they get?”
Will they get the manageable, pre All-Star break Danks (who was good for a 3.99 ERA) and a nice June, or the post All-Star Danks, who posted a 5.96 ERA, and was awful across July and August?
If they get the latter, the White Sox are in trouble.
The other issue is that if one of their front three arms were to miss a significant amount of time due to injury, the rotation would be in a dire situation.
Prospect Chris Beck is a nice depth piece, and obviously where top prospect Carlos Rodon spends ’15 will have a lot to do with the success of the rotation, but there aren’t any veteran options ready to step in should things go south.
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The fact is, the White Sox need to make one more impact move to shore up this rotation and stamp themselves as AL Central favorites. There is reason to believe General Manager Rick Hahn could at least be pontificating such as move. The following quote is from a CSN piece by Dan Hayes
“There are still a few names out there,” Hahn said … Kenny and I talked about this the other day. There’s always one more move in your mind that you would like to make. … Despite what we’ve accomplished, there’s no exception to that mindset right now.”
While Hahn said that he doesn’t anticipate much movement before the club heads to Arizona, he did add:
“Things will pick up again once we get to camp.”
To me, that means we may see some activity during spring training. With that said, there are a variety of ways for Hahn and company to try to remedy this situation before the start of the ’15 season, and the best solutions exist on the trade front. Let’s take a look at who the White Sox may target.
DOUG FISTER
The righty will be pitching at 31-years old this season and currently slots into a stacked Washington Nationals rotation.
The key with Doug Fister is that he’s set to become a free agent after the ’15 season, which may entice Washington to move him considering they have enough rotational depth in Tanner Roark and minor leaguer A.J. Cole. Fister missed the early portion of the ’14 season with a muscle injury, but was electric upon his return.
He posted a 2.41 ERA and a 16-6 record in 25 starts. He had a 3.93 FIP, so he is likely due for some regression, but would still be a quality add the White Sox’s rotation. His strikeout rate was below career norms last season, and it would be crucial for him to see more strikeouts in ’15 to succeed in the launching pad that is U.S. Cellular field.
Still, Fister has a 49.2 percentage career ground ball rate, which actually makes him profile well at “The Cell.” He’s also familiar with the AL Central, having played with the Tigers as recently as two seasons ago.
So what would it take to land a quality arm like Fister?
Any prospect loss would be difficult to swallow considering the White Sox are only guaranteed to get one year of his services, but at 31 years old, Fister could be an extension candidate and would maybe be willing to accept a deal in the range of three years/$50 million.
In any case, the White Sox could still obtain a compensatory ’16 draft pick by extending a qualifying offer to Fister and allowing him to sign a long-term deal elsewhere.
A package probably starts around Chicago’s No. 3 prospect per MLBPipeline Francellis Montas, who came over from Boston in the Jake Peavy deal, and put himself on the scene with a strong ’14.
Montas has always possessed power stuff, with a fastball that has movement and can crack 100 MPH. Montas made progress with his slider as well in ’14, and steadied his control. While he has a chance to be at the front of a rotation, he actually may profile better as a closer.
The addition of Fister would give the White Sox arguably the best rotation in the American League
The White Sox are set in that department after inking David Robertson to a four year/$46 million deal this offseason. The Nationals have Drew Storen currently slotted in to close out games, but Montas could offer them a long-term option at the position with a chance for the righty to supplant Storen sometime in the second half of ’15.
The other piece in the deal could be IF Carlos Sanchez, who saw some time in the majors last season. Sanchez hit to the tune of a .250/.269/.300 slash line through 28 games, but flashed a nice glove at second base.
Sep 22, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Chicago White Sox second baseman
Carlos Sanchez(77) makes a throw to first baseman
Jose Abreu(79) to get Detroit Tigers shortstop
Andrew Romine(not pictured) out in the fourth inning at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Sanchez is a switch hitter who struggled versus right-handed pitching in ’14, but dominated lefties, sporting an .867 OPS against them in a small sample size.
It’s not hard to envision Washington liking the idea of a Carlos Sanchez and Yunel Escobar platoon at second base, with Sanchez trying to lock down the spot long-term.
The White Sox can absorb the loss of Sanchez with the presence of Micah Johnson, who has a much higher ceiling, Gordon Beckham and Emilio Bonifacio, who are all options to hold down second base in ’15.
It’s certainly a move the White Sox should at least consider, as the addition of Fister would give them arguably the best rotation in the American League.
Sep 16, 2014; Atlanta, GA, USA; Washington Nationals starting pitcher
Tanner Roark(57) throws a pitch against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Turner Field. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
TANNER ROARK
Staying in the nation’s capital, Tanner Roark is the odd man out in the Nationals rotation after the addition of Max Scherzer.
Tanner Roark is the odd man out in the Nationals rotation after the addition of Max Scherzer
Last year was Roark’s first full season as a starter and he impressed, pitching to a 2.85 ERA and racking up 138 strikeouts in 31 starts. Roark is only 28 years old and still has a few years of team control left.
Once again, Carlos Sanchez could be one piece in a potential package with the White Sox also throwing in RHP prospect Chris Beck.
The name isn’t as intriguing as Fister, but Roark could become a cornerstone in the White Sox rotation for the next few years.
Now is the perfect time to grab him, as the Nationals don’t necessarily need his services and he could end up being a steal for the South Siders.
Aug 10, 2014; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; San Diego Padres starting pitcher
Tyson Ross(38) pitches against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
TYSON ROSS
The San Diego Padres financial arrangement with the Dodgers regarding Matt Kemp’s salary gives them the flexibility to add a top arm per Jon Heyman.
Theoretically if the Padres were to land James Shields or swing a deal for Cole Hamels, one of their current starters could go on the block. The White Sox would be wise to call on the availability of righty Tyson Ross.
Ross was an ace caliber pitcher for the Padres last season with a 2.81 ERA and 195 strikeouts over 31 starts, on the strength of a career best 9.0 SO/9 ratio. Ross would be an excellent fit in the White Sox rotation, because he isn’t even set to hit arbitration until ’16, and would fit right in with young starters Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and eventually Carlos Rodon.
The Padres acquired power hitting third baseman Will Middlebrooks from the Boston Red Sox earlier this offseason to compete with Yangervis Solarte for the third base job. Considering the way Middlebrooks performed last year, I’d say Solarte has the edge.
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However, current White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie could be a more attractive option for San Diego. Gillaspie had a solid year in 2014, but he’s struggled mightily against left-handed pitching and the White Sox have enough infield depth to dangle him in a trade.
Aug 13, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Conor Gillaspie (12) tosses his bat after drawing a walk against the San Francisco Giants during the second inning at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Matt Davidson is better suited for third base long-term anyway, since it is a power position after all, and Gillaspie doesn’t hit for much power.
Davidson should rebound after a disappointing year in Triple-A Charlotte, and could platoon with the likes of Gordon Beckham or Emilio Bonifacio, leaving Gillaspie expendable.
The White Sox outfield is locked up for the next few years, with Melky Cabrera, Adam Eaton and Avisail Garcia all in place for the long haul. This makes ’12 first rounder and outfield prospect Courtney Hawkins another potential piece in a deal for Ross.
Throw in a lottery ticket like Cleuluis Rondon and Ross could find himself going from the West Coast to the Windy City.
Out of all three potential trade ideas, Fister has the most name value, Roark is the most feasible target and the acquisition of Ross would be one way for Hahn to essentially put Executive of the Year in the bag.