White Sox: What Should Team Do In Offseason?
The Sox need to trade Melky Cabrera.
I, like most people, love Melky Cabrera. He’s a great player. He’s hitting the ball well this year, but his defense is not so great. He makes great plays at times, but he doesn’t have the speed for an outfielder. He seems like a great locker room guy and him being 32, he’s probably a good leader as well.
Melky’s contract expires at the end of next season, and there’s no reason his price shouldn’t go up. Unfortunately, the White Sox don’t spend much money so him returning is a long shot. But if the White Sox trade him, they can get financial relief from his contract.
Probably the main reason the White Sox trade Melky is because they have good outfielders coming up. Charlie Tilson should be healthy by spring training, and Jacob May and Adam Engel are could be ready next year. They also have Coats, who has been playing well as of late. Courtney Hawkins will need a better spring training in 2017 in order to have a chance of making team. Depending on how these guys do in spring training, the team doesn’t really need Melky, because they could have five ready and viable options if someone doesn’t pan out.
Next: Keep the Starting Rotation
The Sox should keep Sale and Quintana, unless they get an absolute steal of an offer.
At the trade deadline, people were speculating what the White Sox will do with the front end of their rotation. Although they didn’t do anything, many thought the offseason would be a good time because the starting pitching market is weak. Chris Sale and Jose Quintana are guys you build around, and unless they do get a great offer, there’s no reason to trade them. They have very team friendly contracts and the White Sox need to take advantage of that. Both of them seem happy to play for the White Sox. Trading these players would be foolish.
Miguel Gonzalez has been the biggest surprise for me this season. Although he had good runs in Baltimore, he was released because he just wasn’t performing. Although a few teams wanted him, a player who was released for a reason like that doesn’t usually play as well Gonzalez has. He’s been great and is probably their third best starter. They need to keep him in their rotation as long as he plays like this.
James Shields can opt out of his contract at the end of the season. Depending on how he goes for his last few starts, this can be good or bad. Based on how his last few starts play out though, he might decide to stay because he already has a good contract. It depends on what James Shields the White Sox will be getting if he does stay.
Carlos Rodon is obviously a must keep with his age and ability. Trading him would also be foolish. Although he isn’t performing as well as Sale and Quintana, or even Gonzalez, he has the opportunity to be as good as them.
Next: Acquire a catcher
The Sox only have Narvaez under contract for next year and an upgrade is needed at the position.
Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro have not been very good this season. Avila is slightly better than Navarro, but he has had two DL stints. He has also come across a setback in the second stint, and doesn’t have a timetable for return. With a lack of internal catching options, the team’s depth issues have been more apparent recently.
If the White Sox do go with Narvaez, they need to play him everyday. They need to know if they have a viable catcher in him, because they have no options left. Instead of resigning either Navarro or Avila, they need to find a catcher in free agency.
Jonathan Lucroy has a club option, so unless the Rangers don’t bring him back, he’s a great option. Lucroy shouldn’t be their number one target though. It should be Wilson Ramos. He’s had a great year. Ramos is a free agent and the White Sox should go all in, because there is no fallback. Lucroy not returning to the Rangers is a longshot, and after these catchers, the next option is nowhere near as good. Ramos is one of the better free agents though, so they need to be willing to spend a lot of money.