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White Sox: Potential trade options for Jose Abreu

By Joseph Bermudez

CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 03: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the Milwaukee Brewers at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Brewers 6-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JUNE 03: Jose Abreu #79 of the Chicago White Sox bats against the Milwaukee Brewers at Guaranteed Rate Field on June 3, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The White Sox defeated the Brewers 6-1. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 16: The Pittsburgh Pirates supplemental first round draft pick, Ke’Bryan Hayes (32nd overall) watches batting practice prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago White Sox at PNC Park on June 16, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 16: The Pittsburgh Pirates supplemental first round draft pick, Ke’Bryan Hayes (32nd overall) watches batting practice prior to the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Chicago White Sox at PNC Park on June 16, 2015 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) /

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.

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