The Chicago White Sox do not plan on being big spenders this offseason, despite losing a record-setting 121 games.
In fact, the team is looking to cut payroll.
That is what happens when not a lot of fans turn out to watch a disaster mixed up with a clown show. The other valid reason the team is going to cut payroll is that ownership and the front office is willing to give young players a shot to see what they can do at the big-league level.
One good way to cut payroll is by making sure $20 million is not committed to seven players who are eligible for arbitration.
That is what MLBTradeRumors.com's Matt Schwartz projects seven of the Sox's nine arbitration-eligible players could make next season.
The White Sox should not cut these players loose to save money. Instead, it is because these players are not very good. It is time the Sox start thinking differently about how they construct their rosters. Also, they must stop hoping some players will ever reach their potential.
Andrew Vaughn is one of the players who likely will never become an All-Star.
A team rarely non-tenders its leader in wRC+ and batting average. When the wRC+ is 97, and the average is .246, then it makes sense for the White Sox to pass on paying Vaughn a projected $6 million next season.
Andrew Vaughn's salary projection is no longer in line with his performance, so the White Sox have some real questions to ask themselves about the best use of plate appearances at first base. https://t.co/8MJZYK3rQE
— Jim Margalus (@SoxMachine) October 2, 2024
All he has ever done as a professional baseball player is be an at or below-replacement-level player. That is not exactly what you want to see out of a former top-five pick who was supposed to be a cornerstone player of last decade's rebuild.
If the team is serious about entering another rebuilding phase, it would be a good idea to get rid of the remnants of the failed previous one.
The numbers and the eye test support that Vaughn is not likely to carry the torch of great-hitting play from franchise icons such as Paul Konerko and Jose Abreu.
The power has never really been there in a position that demands it. The Sox could get the same type of power and save some money if they signed say, Josh Bell.
The only saving grace for Vaughn right now is he will be 27 next season, so there is still time for him to realize his potential. The problem is it is starting to become more expensive and time is starting to run out.