Story & Urías? Or something more complicated?
On the Roster Under Control for Next Year
SS Trevor Story (R) - 100 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR, 2.5 bWAR (2022 - will cut him some slack on the 0-8 this year for now) - signed through 2025 at $23.3m per year, then player can opt out of 2/$50m, then the team can either let him or make the remainder 3/$75m (31).
2B Luis Urías (R) - 64 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR, -0.3 bWAR - 2 more Arb years, made $4.7m this year (26).
2B/SS/OF Pablo Reyes (R) - 112 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR, 0.8 bWAR - 1 more pre-arb year (30).
On the 40-Man Roster Under Control for Next Year
2B Enmanuel Valdez (L) - 81 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, -0.4 bWAR (133 wRC+, .962 OPS in AAA) - 3+ more pre-arb years (25).
2B/SS David Hamilton (L) - 33 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, 0.0 bWAR (101 wRC+, .803 OPS in AAA) - 3+ more pre-arb years (26).
CF/SS Ceddanne Rafaela (R) AAA - 144 wRC+, 1.026 OPS (23) - Including him here, even though he's a larger part of the OF conversation.
Around for now
2B Christian Arroyo (R) - 66 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, -0.2 bWAR - Arb 3, made $2m this year (28) - Was DFA'd & optioned to Worcester. Hasn't played for Worcester, yet.
SS Yu Chang (R) - 40 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR, 0.0 bWAR - Arb 2 - Was DFA'd & his fate has not been determined, yet.
Our Free Agent
SS Adalberto Mondesí (B) - 90 wRC+, 1.0 fWAR, 0.4 bWAR (2021) (28).
Free Agents
2B Adam Frazier (R) - 100 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, 1.4 bWAR (32).
2B Kolten Wong (L) - 36 wRC+, -1.1 fWAR, -1.3 bWAR (33).
2B Jonathan Schoop (R) - 55 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, -0.3 bWAR (32).
SS Elvis Andrus (R) - 69 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, -0.2 bWAR (35).
SS Brandon Crawford (L) - 68 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, -0.8 bWAR (37).
SS Amed Rosario (R) - 87 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR, 0.1 bWAR (28).
SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) - 95 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR, 0.5 bWAR (29).
Potential Free Agents
2B/OF Whit Merrifield (R) - 113 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR, 1.9 bWAR (35) - $18m mutual option with a $500k buyout.
2B/SS Jorge Polanco (B) - 100 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, 0.5 bWAR ( 30) - $10.5m team option with a $1m buyout.
2B/3B Jon Berti (R) - 90 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR, 1.5 bWAR (34) - $3.5m team option with PA escalators up to $4.25m, $25k buyout.
SS Tim Anderson (R) - 58 wRC+, -0.6 fWAR, -1.7 bWAR (30) - $14m team option.
SS Javier Báez (R) - 60 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR, 0.3 bWAR (31) - can opt out or take the remaining 4/$98m on his contract.
SS Paul DeJong (R) - 80 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR, 0.1 bWAR (30) - $12.5m team option with a $2m buyout.
The Pipeline
SS Marcelo Mayer (L) AA (SoxProspects #1/my #1) - 62 wRC+, .609 OPS (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
2B Nick Yorke (R) AA (#6/#8) - 116 wrC+, .795 OPS (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2024
SS/CF Nazzan Zanetello (R) FCL (#9/#15) - 29 wRC+, .339 OPS (4 games) (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
2B/SS Mikey Romero (L) A (#10/#10) - 66 wRC+, .574 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/SS Brainer Bonaci (B) AA (#12/#11) - 123 wRC+, .825 OPS (stats from A+ as only 2 games in AA so far) (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2023
SS Yoeilin Cespedes (R) DSL (#15/#12) - 156 wRC+, 1.003 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
3B/2B Chase Meidroth (R) AA (#16/#20) - 114 wRC+, .749 OPS (22) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
SS/IF Eddinson Paulino (L) A+ (#24/21) - 99 wRC+, .728 OPS (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2023
SS Antonio Anderson (B) FCL (#26/#36) - N/A (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
SS Marvin Alcantara (R) A (#28/#41) - 82 wRC+, .653 OPS (stats from FCL, no A-ball games, yet) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
3B/2B Cutter Coffey (R) A+ (#30/#32) - 103 wRC+, .689 OPS (stats for A-ball since he only has 1 game in A+ so far) (19) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/IF Luis Ravelo (B) A (#37/#42) 82 wRC+, .613 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
SS Franklin Arias (R) DSL (#45/#35) 138 wRC+, .882 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
3B/SS Freili Encarnacion (R) FCL (#49/#46) - 54 wRC+, .520 OPS (inj.) (19) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/UT Tyler McDonough (B) AA (#52/#101) - 82 wRC+, .662 OPS (24) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2024
2B/IF Kristian Campbell (R) FCL (#54/#64) - 403 wRC+, 2.050 OPS (2 games) (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
SS Justin Riemer (B) FCL (#55/#81) - N/A (22) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/UT Nick Sogard (B) AAA (#60/#96) - 101 wRC+, .784 OPS (26) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2023
SS Fraymi De Leon (B) FCL (NR/#34) - 159 wRC+, .905 OPS (19) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
3B/2B Starlyn Nunez (B) DSL (NR/#51) - 140 wRC+, .917 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
2B Yoiber Ruiz (R) DSL (NR/#80) - 98 wRC+, .639 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
3B/2B Jancel Santana (B) DSL (NR/#108) - 75 wRC+, .612 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/3B Angel Pierre (R) FCL (NR/#109) - 122 wRC+, .781 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/OF Nathanael German (R) DSL (NR/#113) - 51 wRC+, .544 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
2B Ahbram Liendo (B) A (NR/#122) - 100 wRC+, .656 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
2B/UT Max Ferguson (L) A+ (NR/#131) - 93 wRC+, .667 OPS (24) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2024
My Bottom Line
It feels like an area that could use an improvement - unless Urías really gets it going down the stretch & leaves everyone feeling comfortable in that regard. However, even though Mayer has been pretty bad in AA for a while (maybe injury related?), one would expect him by '25, & they have a high number of other talented middle infielder prospects up & down the system, so it doesn't necessarily seem like an area where they would want to make a large long-term commitment, or trade a ton of assets to slide someone in.
This could be an area where they trade some of their 40-man glut to acquire someone with a couple years of control. A couple of the Cardinals options are still tempting in that regard.
On the Roster Under Control for Next Year
SS Trevor Story (R) - 100 wRC+, 2.4 fWAR, 2.5 bWAR (2022 - will cut him some slack on the 0-8 this year for now) - signed through 2025 at $23.3m per year, then player can opt out of 2/$50m, then the team can either let him or make the remainder 3/$75m (31).
2B Luis Urías (R) - 64 wRC+, -0.3 fWAR, -0.3 bWAR - 2 more Arb years, made $4.7m this year (26).
2B/SS/OF Pablo Reyes (R) - 112 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR, 0.8 bWAR - 1 more pre-arb year (30).
On the 40-Man Roster Under Control for Next Year
2B Enmanuel Valdez (L) - 81 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, -0.4 bWAR (133 wRC+, .962 OPS in AAA) - 3+ more pre-arb years (25).
2B/SS David Hamilton (L) - 33 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, 0.0 bWAR (101 wRC+, .803 OPS in AAA) - 3+ more pre-arb years (26).
CF/SS Ceddanne Rafaela (R) AAA - 144 wRC+, 1.026 OPS (23) - Including him here, even though he's a larger part of the OF conversation.
Around for now
2B Christian Arroyo (R) - 66 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, -0.2 bWAR - Arb 3, made $2m this year (28) - Was DFA'd & optioned to Worcester. Hasn't played for Worcester, yet.
SS Yu Chang (R) - 40 wRC+, 0.2 fWAR, 0.0 bWAR - Arb 2 - Was DFA'd & his fate has not been determined, yet.
Our Free Agent
SS Adalberto Mondesí (B) - 90 wRC+, 1.0 fWAR, 0.4 bWAR (2021) (28).
Free Agents
2B Adam Frazier (R) - 100 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, 1.4 bWAR (32).
2B Kolten Wong (L) - 36 wRC+, -1.1 fWAR, -1.3 bWAR (33).
2B Jonathan Schoop (R) - 55 wRC+, -0.2 fWAR, -0.3 bWAR (32).
SS Elvis Andrus (R) - 69 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, -0.2 bWAR (35).
SS Brandon Crawford (L) - 68 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, -0.8 bWAR (37).
SS Amed Rosario (R) - 87 wRC+, 0.0 fWAR, 0.1 bWAR (28).
SS Isiah Kiner-Falefa (R) - 95 wRC+, 0.3 fWAR, 0.5 bWAR (29).
Potential Free Agents
2B/OF Whit Merrifield (R) - 113 wRC+, 2.3 fWAR, 1.9 bWAR (35) - $18m mutual option with a $500k buyout.
2B/SS Jorge Polanco (B) - 100 wRC+, 0.4 fWAR, 0.5 bWAR ( 30) - $10.5m team option with a $1m buyout.
2B/3B Jon Berti (R) - 90 wRC+, 1.3 fWAR, 1.5 bWAR (34) - $3.5m team option with PA escalators up to $4.25m, $25k buyout.
SS Tim Anderson (R) - 58 wRC+, -0.6 fWAR, -1.7 bWAR (30) - $14m team option.
SS Javier Báez (R) - 60 wRC+, 0.6 fWAR, 0.3 bWAR (31) - can opt out or take the remaining 4/$98m on his contract.
SS Paul DeJong (R) - 80 wRC+, 0.9 fWAR, 0.1 bWAR (30) - $12.5m team option with a $2m buyout.
The Pipeline
SS Marcelo Mayer (L) AA (SoxProspects #1/my #1) - 62 wRC+, .609 OPS (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
2B Nick Yorke (R) AA (#6/#8) - 116 wrC+, .795 OPS (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2024
SS/CF Nazzan Zanetello (R) FCL (#9/#15) - 29 wRC+, .339 OPS (4 games) (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
2B/SS Mikey Romero (L) A (#10/#10) - 66 wRC+, .574 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/SS Brainer Bonaci (B) AA (#12/#11) - 123 wRC+, .825 OPS (stats from A+ as only 2 games in AA so far) (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2023
SS Yoeilin Cespedes (R) DSL (#15/#12) - 156 wRC+, 1.003 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
3B/2B Chase Meidroth (R) AA (#16/#20) - 114 wRC+, .749 OPS (22) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
SS/IF Eddinson Paulino (L) A+ (#24/21) - 99 wRC+, .728 OPS (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2023
SS Antonio Anderson (B) FCL (#26/#36) - N/A (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
SS Marvin Alcantara (R) A (#28/#41) - 82 wRC+, .653 OPS (stats from FCL, no A-ball games, yet) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
3B/2B Cutter Coffey (R) A+ (#30/#32) - 103 wRC+, .689 OPS (stats for A-ball since he only has 1 game in A+ so far) (19) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/IF Luis Ravelo (B) A (#37/#42) 82 wRC+, .613 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
SS Franklin Arias (R) DSL (#45/#35) 138 wRC+, .882 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
3B/SS Freili Encarnacion (R) FCL (#49/#46) - 54 wRC+, .520 OPS (inj.) (19) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/UT Tyler McDonough (B) AA (#52/#101) - 82 wRC+, .662 OPS (24) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2024
2B/IF Kristian Campbell (R) FCL (#54/#64) - 403 wRC+, 2.050 OPS (2 games) (21) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
SS Justin Riemer (B) FCL (#55/#81) - N/A (22) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/UT Nick Sogard (B) AAA (#60/#96) - 101 wRC+, .784 OPS (26) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2023
SS Fraymi De Leon (B) FCL (NR/#34) - 159 wRC+, .905 OPS (19) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
3B/2B Starlyn Nunez (B) DSL (NR/#51) - 140 wRC+, .917 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
2B Yoiber Ruiz (R) DSL (NR/#80) - 98 wRC+, .639 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
3B/2B Jancel Santana (B) DSL (NR/#108) - 75 wRC+, .612 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/3B Angel Pierre (R) FCL (NR/#109) - 122 wRC+, .781 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2026
2B/OF Nathanael German (R) DSL (NR/#113) - 51 wRC+, .544 OPS (18) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2027
2B Ahbram Liendo (B) A (NR/#122) - 100 wRC+, .656 OPS (20) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2025
2B/UT Max Ferguson (L) A+ (NR/#131) - 93 wRC+, .667 OPS (24) - Rule 5 Eligible 12/2024
My Bottom Line
It feels like an area that could use an improvement - unless Urías really gets it going down the stretch & leaves everyone feeling comfortable in that regard. However, even though Mayer has been pretty bad in AA for a while (maybe injury related?), one would expect him by '25, & they have a high number of other talented middle infielder prospects up & down the system, so it doesn't necessarily seem like an area where they would want to make a large long-term commitment, or trade a ton of assets to slide someone in.
This could be an area where they trade some of their 40-man glut to acquire someone with a couple years of control. A couple of the Cardinals options are still tempting in that regard.
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