Chicago White Sox Roster Preview: Starting Rotation
The Trade Market
Oct 7, 2014; San Francisco, CA, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Tanner Roark throws a pitch against the San Francisco Giants in the fifth inning during game four of the 2014 NLDS baseball playoff game at AT&T Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
I’ve been saying it for a while, but this is a move I’m shocked hasn’t happened yet. Righty Tanner Roark had a 2.85 ERA last year over 31 starts and will be relegated to the bullpen in ’15 because the Washington Nationals’ rotation is so deep.
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I still think Tyler Saladino or Carlos Sanchez could be included in a package for Roark, but it might require a bigger name to pry him away considering the Nationals would love to have him in their ’16 rotation if Jordan Zimmerman leaves town.
Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon went down with an MCL sprain and will start the season on the DL. These types of injuries can often linger and the Nationals will want to play it safe with their budding superstar.
Cue Rick Hahn, who can ship prospect Matt Davidson out West for Roark. It’s a significant price, especially if Davidson develops into the 20 to 30-homerun player some think he can be.
Still, the Sox would gain control of a young right-hander through 2019.
Even if a trade doesn’t occur before the summer, you can bet Hahn will pull the trigger on a deal for a pitcher at the deadline.
While it may not be a big name like Johnny Cueto, it will probably still be an impact arm who can bolster the White Sox’s playoff chances. Needless to say, I think this rotation will look very different in August and have some out of the organization flavor.
Overall, the front end of the rotation is electric, and if the White Sox can actually get into the postseason, they’re my pick to win the pennant because a potential postseason rotation of Sale, Samardzija, Quintana, and Rodon is about as lock down as it gets.