Dollars and Sense

On Thursday, James Fegan did a piece in The Athletic about the White Sox and arbitration-eligible players.  Fegan all but did Rick Hahn’s work for him by arguing a possible $6.2 million for super-utility infielder Yolmer Sanchez would lead the Sox to non-tender the six-year veteran in favor of Leury Garcia and Danny Mendick.  Sorry, but from where I’m standing the numbers don’t add up.

Consider that Sanchez won’t turn 28 until the end of next June.  In the three years before he turned 28, jack-of-all-trades Ben Zobrist had seasons of 18, 9 and 30 RBIs before things started to click.  Things have always clicked for Sanchez with his glove, and he has shown an ability to hit in the clutch.  Compared to Zobrist before the age of 28, Yolmer has had seasons of 59, 55 and 43 RBIs.  You have to wonder what a good hitting coach could do here.

Compared to Leury, Sanchez is the superior infielder.  (There’s a chance Yolmer could get a Gold Glove this season for his work at second base).  Granted, Sanchez doesn’t play the outfield, but Garcia’s seven errors out there indicate he wouldn’t be much worse.  Also worth considering is Yolmer’s standing in the clubhouse and with fans.

To me, the best solution would be to keep Sanchez and Mendick, who also can play both the infield and outfield.  If the Sox let Yolmer go, they risk him turning into the second coming of Ben Zobrist with another team; I’ll take that gamble with Garcia.  Other fans may want to see the Sox spend big on free agent right fielders and DHs, not me.  Both those positions can be filled in-house.

It makes far more sense to spend the money necessary to keep Yolmer here.  I can just see him pouring Gatorade all over himself after his team wins the World Series.  The White Sox should be that team.