White Sox: Predicting the next to go before the Trade Deadline

Now that former White Sox pitcher Joakim Soria is now with the Brewers, it is anyone’s guess who is next to leave Chicago by the Trade Deadline.

There are plenty of White Sox candidates, but a few have a better chance than the others, simply because of their positions and their current physical status.

The folks at MLB Trade Rumors have done a good job of predicting the players who will find themselves on new teams by July 31. Although a few of their top 75 trade candidates were gimmes.

The correct predictions

They correctly guessed that Manny Machado, Jeurys Familia, and Zach Britton would be some of the first to go. And, they were. They also ranked Soria at #12. But, their other Sox predictions might not come true.

Ranked between 22 and 27 is Nate Jones. They ranked him in the top half because he is a controllable relief pitcher and those are certainly valuable. Luis Avilan is the next Sox pitcher on the list because he is a guy you want to go to when you need a LOOGY (lefty one-out guy). The other players on the MLB Trade Rumors list include none other than Avisail Garcia, James Shields, and Jose Abreu. But, those last three were not in the top-75 ranking; they were simply “considered.”

Bye-bye Abreu?

So, who is next to go. According to the latest news, Abreu will not leave Chicago. Bob Nightengale, who is often wrong about potential trades, is predicting that the slugger will not be traded.

The Chicago #Whitesox are strongly inclined now to keep 1B Jose Abreu instead of trading him
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 21, 2018

Will Jose Abreu be traded by July 31?

Most likely not.

So, what about Shields?

HOUSTON, TX – JULY 07: James Shields #33 of the Chicago White Sox pitches in the first inning against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on July 7, 2018 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

He is so hard to like. And, after his four-inning debacle against the Angels, why on earth would anyone want a pitcher who is so inconsistent. He’s had some amazing numbers in July and some HORRIBLE ones, too.

Will James Shields be traded by July 31? My prediction is no. But, if a team offers some tasty local beer or a box of autographed baseballs, Rick Hahn should accept the offer.

Then, there’s Jones.

He’s been on the DL since mid-June and it doesn’t look like he’s coming back any time, soon. He has even managed to injure himself in his recovery work. Teams that are buying want to win now. They don’t want to wait until a guy is healthy.

Luis Avilan?

Possibly. He’s 29 years old. Has been with the Sox for this season only. His seven-year average ERA is 3.08, but he’s got an ERA of 4.08 with the Sox. In 28.2 innings pitched, he has 33 strikeouts. He’s been more of an asset than a liability and contending teams need that guy. Although, he was on the Dodgers staff last year and didn’t throw a lick in the postseason in 2017.

Will Luis Avilan be traded by July 31? He has the best chance of all of these men because he’s cheap, left-handed, and a reliever.

dark. Next. To those who say the White Sox rebuild will be a bust

Two other players who could go, if the situations were slightly different, are Avisail Garcia and Welington Castillo. Garcia has been on and off the DL too often and there are too many outfielders who are better. And, Castillo’s PED infraction will keep him on the Sox for a bit longer.