White Sox add much-needed bullpen depth with the acquisition of two relief pitchers during surprisingly quiet offseason.
The Chicago White Sox were able to add depth to its bullpen by acquiring two veteran relief pitchers via trade this past Thursday. The Sox acquired Joakim Soria and Luis Avilan as part of a three-team trade with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Kansas City Royals.
With the Sox not expecting to contend in 2018, they were able to add some players who could very well be flipped near the trading deadline later this year. Both Soria and Avilan are coming off solid seasons with their former respective teams and could replicate their success from 2017 this upcoming season.
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Vinnie Duber of NBC Sports Chicago wrote the Sox acquisitions of Soria and Avilan gives them flexibility and options to help bolster their bullpen for the 2018 season. The Sox depleted most of their bullpen last season through various trades. In 2017, the Sox lost many veteran relief pitchers as they traded them for prospects. Anthony Swarzak, Tommy Kahnle, Dan Jennings and David Robertson were traded from the Sox last year.
The Sox included Jake Peter in the three-team trade with the Dodgers and Royals. The Dodgers not only received Peter from the Sox, but they also received left-handed pitcher Scott Alexander, right-handed pitcher Trevor Oaks and infielder Erick Mejia from the Royals. Peter was left unprotected from Rule 5 draft but wasn’t selected by another major league team, but the Sox were able to trade him for two important relief pitchers for their bullpen.
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The offseason has been relatively quiet with many marquee free agents unsigned currently. The Sox were able to make news this past Thursday with the acquisitions of Soria and Avilan. Despite adding some veteran arms to their bullpen, the focus remains the same for the Sox and that’s building for long-term success.