Official White Sox 2012 Off Season Thread

[ichitownclowni]

The season is not officially over but it's "ova"


What do you guys want to do? Who do we keep? Who do we let go? Let the discussion begin.

[Chitown Sparty]

This team over performed, and in the end, fell short at the worst possible time. Have to wonder if long term would have been better for the team to struggle and go full rebuild in season at the deadline. Whatever, made this season more fun and interesting.

Robin needs to make sure that Myers doesnt automatically hit his 2013 option, I believe he has to finish 45 games for it to trigger, I believe he is at 41 right now. Not that I wouldn't want Myers, but not at what the option is for.

I don't think Peavy is back, unless he takes a discount. I would let Youk walk, maybe try to bring him back a lot cheaper. Thornton still has value, and for a franchise that is going to be need to rebuild, might have to move him. Liriano can leave, I've had enough of him. Time for another pitching coach to think he can fix Gavin Floyd. Definitely need to extend Viciedo, and see about Sale.

I predict opening day rotation will be something like Sale, Danks, Quintana, scrap heap 4th starter, Axlerod/Santiago/random young guy 5.

Bullpen: Veal, Reed, Jones will be back, beyond that, difficult to call, bullpen guys come out of nowhere.

OF should be the same starters, although if you could move Rios for prospects, I would consider it, getting out from under his money would give Hahn some flexibility moving forward.

Infield: third base is the big question mark. If they dont go with Youk, do they give Morel another chance and hope that he sucked this year because of his back, or do they go find something outside the organization (not much IIRC in this year's FA pool)
Alexi will be back. Management will have to decide if they can live with Beckham's offense for the defense he plays, and hope that maybe he finally starts to put it together. He had shown signs of life early in this month, but he hasn't been able to sustain it. At first base, I don't see any way that Dunn and Konerko aren't back with the team. Catcher is interesting, as I dont think Flowers is ever going to hit well enough to play every day, and Phegly is not ready, so do they try to bring back AJ.

williams said rebuild last offseason, and then didn't really go for it. He was asking a huge price for Floyd/Danks. I hope that this offseason, if they decide they need to move pieces, they actually do it, restock the farm system, if for nothing else to give pieces for us to trade away when we don't develop any of them.

[ichitownclowni]

Trade Rios. Let Peavy walk. Let Youk walk. I would try to put together a package for David Wright

[DaSox_05]

I will open this back up when the season IS officially over.

[sager729]

I was thinking about next season and here is my pitching outlook.

Free Agents
SP Jake Peavy- Peavy has a $22 million dollar option for 2013 with a $4 million buyout. The option will most certainly be declined and the Sox will try work out an extension. With pitchers like Greinke, McCarthy, Dempster, Marcum and possibly Haren and E. Santana available, there is a good amount of starting pitching available. I would expect a deal to be somewhere around 2-3 w/ option for $12-14 million. Prediction- 3yr/$37.5M

SP Gavin Floyd- Floyd has a $9.5 million option for 2013. I would guess the Sox pick up the option as it is an affordable price. After that look for the Sox to trade Floyd to a team looking for a starter but may not have the money for a frontline guy. Prediction- Traded

SP Francisco Liriano- Liriano doesn't have an option and he will most likely not be resigned. Prediction- Not Resigned

RP Brett Myers- Myers has a $10 million option with a $3 million buyout. The Astros picked up a majority of the option if not all of it. I don't expect Myers to be resigned. Prediction- Not Resigned

Arbitration Eligible
Phil Humber- Humber is arbitration eligible for the first time this year and it would surprise me in the least if they non-tendered him. That is unless he is willing to sign for a small amount. Prediction- 1yr/$650K

Under Contract
SP John Danks- Danks will be returning from an injury that forced him to be shut down since May. The Sox will need him to be back to his top form next year.

SP Chris Sale- Sale was the White Sox best pitcher in 2012 and a Cy Young candidate. Pushing him this year will definitely help him next season. He will be the "ACE" of the staff for years to come. I wouldn't be surprised to see the Sox start extension talks with him.

SP Jose Quintana- Finished the year with a 3.76 ERA, but was very good most of the year until he got into the amount of innings he has never pitched before. He threw 136.1 innings in the majors and 48.2 in AA Birmingham to equal 185 innings. I think he will be in competition for a rotation spot.

SP/RP Hector Santiago- Santiago had his ups and downs this season as he started the year as the closer and ended it as a starter. My guess is they leave him stretched out and bring him into Spring Training as competition for Quintana.

RP Addison Reed- Reed had a productive first season as the White Sox' closer. He should only get better as he gets more expirience.

RP Matt Thornton- Thornton's ERA rose again for the second straight season. He has been on the trading block this past season, don't be surprised if new GM Rick Hahn looks to trade him again this offseason.

RP Jesse Crain- Crain battled injuries all season, but when he pitched he was very productive. Will be the set up man again next year.

RP Nate Jones- Jones has been a very pleasant surprise this year. In his last 24.1 innings, he has an ERA of 0.37 (yes you saw that right). With 2 games left he has an ERA of 2.40. He, Crain and Reed make up for a very good right handed back of the bullpen.

RP Donald Veal- Picked up as a free agent this past offseason, Veal showed towards the end of that he can be a dominant lefty specialist with the chance to be a very good LH set up man.

Other Players That Could Help in 2013
Jhan Marinez
Brian Omogrosso
Dylan Axelrod
Leyson Septimo
Charlie Leesman
Simon Castro
Nestor Molina
Jake Petricka
Andre Rienzo

This is just a quick look at what is coming for the Sox in 2013. I haven't even looked at who are free agents and who the Sox could look at.

[sager729]

I didn't even see the offseason thread. My bad.

[alew510]

Yeah looking at prospects I think Jhan will join the bullpen next year and with Jones/Crain/Reed will make up a great right handed side of the bullpen.

I really hope Nestor has a good offseason and spring training because he disappointed this year but I still think he has to much talent not to be a quality starter soon in the majors.

Other than that the other would only make the team based on trades. If we trade Rios maybe one of the OF or if we get rid of Floyd then maybe Dylan or Leesman.

[sager729]

Right now, if Peavy is resigned and Floyd is traded like I think, this is what it should look like

Sale
Peavy
Danks
Santiago/Quintana
FA

[Muttman73]

Probably the end of the road for AJ and Youk...

[JDIsMyGod23]

Sox and Cubs are going to be really ****** for a long, long, LONG time.

[sager729]

I don't know what to think about AJ. If he really wants to be in Chicago like he said and he isn't all about the money, we will know. You know JR will make him an offer like he did 2 years ago.

[JDIsMyGod23]

We have enough DH's on the team, we don't need another one in AJ.

[DaSox_05]

Here is the real question that should be asked....

With Kenny's apparent move to "President" will he get in the way of a rebuild if thats the way Rick Hahn wants to go?

Everyone here knows KW mentality, that he wants to win and at any cost that Jerry will allow.

[sager729]

JD do you think Flowers is ready to be a full time catcher?

[DaSox_05]

I just dont see Flowers being a full time catcher because of his offense. Mike Napoli is a free agent I wouldnt mind signing him and Napoli and Flowers split the time.