White Sox: Potential trade options for Jose Abreu
Jose Abreu deserves to win, but when the White Sox contend in a couple years, will it be past his prime?
He is in his prime now and it should not be wasted on a rebuilding White Sox team. So where should Abreu go?
As someone who’s had the pleasure of watching Jose Abreu throughout his entire White Sox career, and as a fan of how he plays the game, it’s especially hard for me to watch him waste his near MVP numbers on a team in a full-scale rebuild.
Yes, the Sox are only two or three years out of competing, but by then Abreu would be approaching 35 years of age. Who knows if he’ll be able to keep up the slash line he holds now. As a guy who’s been on a non-contending team his entire professional career, he deserves to win.
I bet if you ask him, Abreu would prefer to stay. I bet if you ask Rick Hahn, he would prefer Abreu to stay. But in this business, no one is untouchable unless your name is Mike Trout or Max Scherzer.
Personally, I wouldn’t want to see Abreu go. But if he had to, there are a few moves I have in mind to ensure Abreu has the best chances to win today and we have the best chances to win tomorrow.
Colorado Rockies for Trevor Story
Top-prospect Brendan Rodgers is on the brink of starting his MLB career. The only thing standing in his way is the stellar middle infield the Rockies have: Nolan Arenado, DJ Lemahieu, and Trevor Story.
Though it is probable that Rodgers will eventually take Lemahieu’s job, he wouldn’t have to if Story played somewhere other than Colorado. Adding Abreu’s power numbers (could you imagine his slugging percentage in Coors Field), the Rockies would be in a nice position to take a Wild Card spot or perhaps even take the crown in the close NL West race.
A trade with the Rockies could help the White Sox in a number of different ways with a number of combinations. Story can play the middle infield and perhaps even third. But one of the best options for Rick Renteria is moving Tim Anderson to second, Yoan Moncada to third and putting Story at shortstop. As for first base, Matt Davidson or Daniel Palka (when Avisail Garcia returns) could take over.
Another option is converting Anderson to an outfielder. With his subpar fielding skills he’s displayed over his short time in Chicago, his speed and agility could play nicely in the outfield. Now moving Moncada back to second leaves room for Gavin Sheets at first or DH. I don’t mention Jake Burger because his recent Achilles injuries tell me he may have a better shot making it to Chicago by converting to a full-time first baseman. Not to mention DH always being an option.
Colorado Rockies for Brendan Rodgers
This year, Trevor Story is hitting a slash line of .270/.343/.527 with an OPS of .870. Brendan Rodgers is a guy I’d expect to put up similar numbers. In this trade, Rodgers or Story seem to be interchangeable.
I’d imagine Colorado would be willing to part ways with Rodgers given the fact that Story is a couple years ahead of him in terms of development. But in the next five to six years, it’ll prove that either option would’ve been a solid trade for both teams.
If the trade with Rodgers goes through, everything mentioned before, from Moncada to third to Timmy in the outfield, stays the same. The only thing that changes is Rodgers instead of Story.
Pittsburgh Pirates for Ke’bryan Hayes
If trading away Abreu happens, we won’t be left without a first baseman. Like I mentioned before, there are numerous options.
Matt Davidson. Don’t like that? Daniel Palka. Don’t like that? Gavin Sheets. Don’t like him? Jake Burger (if he converts, which he should).
The only question would be third base. That’s where Ke’bryan Hayes steps in. His above-average fielding and arm are what drew me to him. Both are rated 60 on the 20/80 scale by MLB.com. And his 2019 predicted ETA lines up nicely.
One thing that could prove to be an issue is his 45-rated power. As a third baseman, you’d expect power to be part of his package. But in 211 at-bats with Double A-Altoona, he has only three home runs.
Though it is something to look at, it may not be something to stress over as he’s been hitting a slash line of .284/.349/.436 with a .785 OPS. That .436 slugging percentage jumps out. Yes he’s not hitting a lot of home runs, but his SLG says he is hitting a lot of extra-base hits; 17 doubles and three triples, in fact. The three triples also say he’s faster than the average third baseman, which might be his legacy in the long-run.
Replacing Josh Bell’s .244 batting average, .711 OPS and 4 home runs with Abreu’s All-Star-like numbers could give the Bucs that extra kick to help shrink that eight-game lead the first place Brewers have over them.
San Francisco Giants for Chris Shaw
This trade, I will admit, helps the Sox out more than the Giants, but it is a trade that could go through.
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Immediately, this helps the Giants in filling in their empty spot at first base with Brandon Belt on the DL. Pablo Sandoval will most likely be moving to third if Evan Longoria’s finger injury lands him on the long-term DL as well. So who’s at first? Abreu, that’s who. Yeah, it’s a quick fix, but Belt and Longoria will come off the DL. Then what?
A few games ago, before he hurt himself, I saw Belt playing in left. Having Abreu at first, Longoria at third and Belt in left with Sandoval as the go-to pinch hitter, the Giants offense would be in excellent shape. After that, their only concern would have to be their rotation.
For us, Chris Shaw is an LF/1B player with MLB experience. He would gain some more as the top prospects make their way to the majors, he’ll be ready and in his prime when the Sox are able to legitimately compete again.
Next: The details on top pick Nick Madrigal
I’m the last person that wants to see Abreu go, but I’m the first person that wants to see Abreu win. And if sending him away to help a team in need and not waste his great production numbers now rather than when we’ll need in a couple of years is what needs to be done, then it needs to be done.