White Sox: Should Todd Frazier Be Traded This Offseason?
White Sox veteran third baseman has one year left on current contract. With team possibly rebuilding, should they trade slugger for fringe prospect?
Todd Frazier had a solid first season with the Chicago White Sox in 2016. But could 2016 be the veteran slugger’s only season with the Sox? The Sox have been rumored to be willing to trade players with less than four years of team control.
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With the team possibly rebuilding this offseason, does it make sense for them to trade Frazier? The veteran third baseman has one year remaining on his current contract, and it could benefit the Sox if they traded Frazier now. This past season, Frazier hit career highs in home runs (40) and RBIs (98). However his slash line was just .225/.302/.464.
Frazier isn’t likely to fetch a strong return, but he could provide the Sox with a solid prospect. The only way Frazier could provide a solid return in a trade for the Sox is if he’s part of a package deal. One team that could benefit from such a trade is the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Dodgers could need a third baseman to replace free agent Justin Turner.
With Frazier, the Dodgers would add power to a lineup that hit 189 home runs in 2016. In order for a trade involving Frazier to get a solid return from the Dodgers, it must involve either Chris Sale or David Robertson. With Sale included, the Sox could get a very decent return from the Dodgers in a trade. A trade including Frazier and Robertson could fetch a modest but not a weak return. For the Sox to get the best return in a trade involving Frazier, they would have to include both Robertson and Sale.
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If the Sox are going to trade Frazier, they most likely won’t be able to replicate his production in the lineup next season. Although his batting average was low, his 40 home runs was the most on the team this past season. However, it wouldn’t make much sense for the Sox to keep him on a rebuilding team in 2017.