White Sox: What Young Players Should Team Keep for Next Season?
By Brian Draus
White Sox will have decisions to make in the offseason. Although some key players could be traded, what young players should the team certainly keep for next season?
Since the season is almost over, I think it makes sense to discuss players that the Sox should let go after 2016. This article is going to include young players only, so don’t expect so see players such as Alex Avila mentioned. Here are the players that should go:
Possibly:
(Pitchers)
Chris Beck, Tommy Kahnle, Michael Ynoa, Blake Smith, Daniel Webb
(Position Players)
Kevan Smith, Avisail Garcia, Leury Garcia
(Analysis)
All of the above pitchers are relievers, except for Beck. However, for the most part Beck has been used out of the bullpen but for a few spot starts. The rest have control problems, and/or on top of that haven’t been consistently at the big league level.
More from White Sox News
- The Chicago White Sox might have had a season ending loss
- The Chicago White Sox are expecting Tim Anderson back soon
- Miguel Cairo’s words spark life into the Chicago White Sox
- Dylan Cease should be the favorite for the AL Cy Young Award
- Ozzie Guillen speaks the whole truth about Tony La Russa
Just to give you a couple of examples, Kahnle has 18 BB’s and 23 K’s in 23 IP’s this season. And, Ynoa has 15 BB’s and 25 K’s in 25.2 IP’s this season (Webb has had similar issues over his career). Smith might make sense to bring back for spring training 2017, but just for depth purposes.
As for the position players, this is a bit of a different of a situation. Smith may never be a MLB caliber catcher, thus the reason I listed him. However, the Sox have limited depth at that position at all levels. Leury Garcia’s speed will always be an asset, but since he struggles in other areas (such as hitting: .182 career batting average), I am not sure how much sense it makes to keep him around except as a Triple-A filler.
Avisail Garcia is the most complex case of all, as it might make sense to trade him. With his status as a prospect gone, his skill and potential has not. However, the time may be now or never to get something in return for Garcia. The risk is great assuming he succeeds elsewhere, and considering the fact the Sox will likely have a new manager in 2017 he could blossom. But, could he bring back equal value in a trade? Only the Sox brass knows the answer to that question.
Definitely:
(Pitchers)
(Position Players)
(Analysis)
The only two players I can think of that need to go for sure, are Turner and Coats. Turner has been around a bit, not to mention Coats is nothing more than a career minor leaguer. While Coats hit in Triple-A, he has been awful at the major league level (.174 avg, 1 HR, 3 RBI’s, in 45 AB’s in his one big league season). Even though Turner was a first round pick of the Tigers several years back, he has under-performed in his career. On top of that, he has never pitched more than 118 innings in a season.
Overall, there are many players that the Sox need to let go after 2016. Matt Albers is one, but since he isn’t young I left him out. J.B. Shuck is an interesting case, but he is a solid player who provides the Sox with a fifth outfielder. Therefore I would keep him around if possible, barring they have a better option in case of injuries.
Next: White Sox to Finish Season With Losing Road Record
While it is unknown what the Sox are going to do via the trade route and free agency, that is going to play a role in who they release. Even though the front office hasn’t made any moves yet, I guarantee they know what areas they will target this offseason. That is what the key is, and this will be crucial when charting their course of action regarding who they keep/release. So enjoy the article, but try not to make it gospel. At least anything you take seriously, Sox fans.