Chicago White Sox: 5 players they should consider trading
Jun 22, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Chicago White Sox shortstop Alexei Ramirez (10) fields an ball in the fifth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. The Minnesota Twins win 6-5. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
For all reasonable purposes, it seems like the Chicago White Sox will miss the postseason for the sixth consecutive season with the way they’ve been playing as of late, and might start to consider trading players from the roster.
With that said, that means teams will more than likely want to trade for some of the White Sox players they feel could help their own push towards the postseason, as the White Sox do have some players that are probably available and valuable in trade opportunities.
Jun 6, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Adam Dunn (44) reacts after being called out on strikes with bases loaded in the third inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports
As the White Sox are currently 7.5 games out of first place in the AL Central with a 35-41 overall mark, six games under the .500 mark, they’ll soon have to make a decision if they want to be contenders this year or if they want to start to build toward the future of this ball club.
I believe they will eventually choose the latter,a nd begin trading players.
Since I believe the White Sox will be trading players as the trade deadline becomes ever closer, here are three players I believe will be candidates for trade opportunities.
1. Adam Dunn (DH/1B) — Dunn has played much better baseball this season, and if a team in a pennant race needs a power bat, Dunn, who becomes a free agent following the season, could be the perfect rent-a-player.
His stats this season are: .231 batting average, 12 home runs, 33 RBIs and an on-base percentage of .360. Dunn’s current batting average is 12 points higher than what he finished up at last season, and his OBP is 40 points higher.
He’s drawing more walks this year with 44 already this year (64 games), as last year he totaled 76 walks in 149 games played.
2. Alexei Ramirez (SS) — Ramirez is the most durable player on the White Sox team, playing in 77 games this season. He’s batting .300 with seven home runs and 36 RBIs. His OBP is .333.
Currently, Ramirez is batting 21 points above his career BA of .279 and has already surpassed his home run total of last season (6) and is closing in on his 2012 home run total of nine.
Ramirez has one year left on his contract at the completion of this season, and to the right team, he could bring in some nice prospects the White Sox lack, especially with pitching.
In Triple-A Charlotte, the shortstop is Tyler Saladino, who is batting .288 with six home runs and 67 hits in 67 games this season. He also has 31 RBIs, with an on-base percentage of .345. His OPS is .800, as this is his first season with the Charlotte Knights in Triple-A.