White Sox Trade Tyler Saladino, Welcome Back Trayce Thompson

MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 30: Trayce Thompson
MILWAUKEE, WI - JUNE 30: Trayce Thompson /
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White Sox trade utility infielder to Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations and acquire former outfielder from Oakland Athletics.

The Chicago White Sox traded utility infielder Tyler Saladino to the Milwaukee Brewers for cash considerations on Thursday. Shortly after announcing the trade, the team announced the acquisition of former Sox outfielder Trayce Thompson.

Thompson, who was designated for assignment on Tuesday by the Athletics, was traded to the Sox for cash considerations. Many Sox fans enjoyed Thompson’s brief tenure with the team in 2015 as he hit .295 with five home runs in 44 games that season.

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The Sox traded Thompson to the Los Angeles Dodgers after the 2015 season as part of a three-team trade with the Cincinnati Reds. The trade netted the Sox Todd Frazier as they attempted to contend in 2016. Although Thompson had success with the Sox, he wasn’t able to replicate it with the Dodgers.

Through two seasons with Los Angeles, Thompson hit just .207 with 14 home runs and 34 RBIs in 107 total games. Thompson was claimed on waivers from the New York Yankees on April 3. On April 8, Thompson was again claimed on waivers but this time by the Athletics. He didn’t have much success with Oakland as he hit .143 in three games before being designated for assignment.

With the Sox, Thompson figures to be a fourth outfielder. This will give the Sox a nice option on defense and could regulate Leury Garcia to a utility infield role. Thompson most likely start many games, but he could see more playing time if Adam Engel struggles as a starting center fielder.

For Saladino, his tenure with the Sox ends as he will begin a new chapter with the Brewers. Saladino hit just .178 last season but only appeared in 79 games as he missed time with a back injury. In 2016, Saladino had a solid year for the Sox as he hit a career-high .282 with eight home runs, 38 RBIs and 14 doubles.

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This season however, Saladino collected two hits through nine at-bats. Saladino started 195 total games for the Sox throughout his four seasons with the team. He started 93 games at third base and should be a nice utility infielder for a Milwaukee team looking to contend this year.