Chicago White Sox: Three trade packages for Nolan Arenado
The Chicago White Sox have had a couple of rumors connecting them to Colorado Rockies superstar Nolan Aqrenado, so what would it cost?
The Chicago White Sox are about to embark on a season in which they hope to turn the corner of their rebuild. They have torn it to the ground and built it all the way back up over the last three years. They started it off by making a few trades, drafting well, and a couple of international signings over the years. Then, they made some sweet additions over this past winter via free agency.
Now, the time to win has come. They might not be a contender just yet or even a playoff team for that matter, but a few things could go their way that makes that happen this year. They definitely project to be one of those elite teams over the next few seasons if 2020 isn’t exactly the year. Regardless, they are definitely going to start really winning more baseball games starting now.
One thing that could really push them over the edge, is one more blockbuster move this offseason. Spring Training is here so it is pretty late to be thinking of these kinds of things, but there might be something still out there for them to try and take advantage of. The Colorado Rockies and Nolan Arenado have made it pretty clear that the two sides need to end their relationship.
A few rumors with no clout have connected the White Sox to a potential Arenado trade but it doesn’t seem realistic. The thing is, if it did happen that could really increase the White Sox chances of blooming into contenders. If it were to ever happen, these are the three packages that could get the deal done:
Trade 1
The Chicago White Sox have a very nice farm system. They are going to have to deplete it over the next few years in order to add pieces needed to make postseason runs. Every elite team does it over time. They have built up their farm from nothing and now it is very good. Some of them have graduated to the Major League level and it is already clear which ones are untouchable as of right now.
Luis Alexander Basabe and Blake Rutherford would be strong prospects to send over to the Colorado Rockies for Arenado. Basabe ranks 7th and Rutherford ranks 8th in the Sox organization. They will be even higher on the list after this year when Luis Robert, Nick Madrigal, and Michael Kopech graduate to the Major League level. These two would be a good duo to package to the Rockies for Arenado.
There might not be a lot of Colorado fans who would be happy with this return, but their hands are tied. Arenado has made it pretty clear that he doesn’t want to be there. Teams know that so it will make it hard to get the haul for him that he is worth. Arenado is one of the very best players in the world and moving him should be easy for the Colorado Rockies, but it has become difficult for them now. Rutherford and Basabe would be a pretty nice return based on the circumstances.
Trade 2
The Chicago White Sox clearly loves what they have in Nick Madrigal. He is currently slated to be the second baseman for the foreseeable future. The thing is, if that is who the Rockies wanted in a blockbuster trade involving Nolan Arenado, you make that move every time. Arenado would put this Sox team over the edge as a bonified playoff contender.
They have Yoan Moncada slated to be the third baseman but he came to the organization as a second baseman. He hit his potential as a third baseman, but now that he figured things out at the plate a move back to second shouldn’t be harmful to that. Then Arenado could slot into third base and the infield would be fully loaded with proven great hitters.
Jake Burger was a former first-round pick by the White Sox who has been derailed by injuries a little bit. He would be worth the risk for the Rockies as they try to retool their organization. Danny Mendick is currently listed on the White Sox depth chart so he will likely be a backup position player for them in 2020. He could go to Colorado and be an everyday player someday if they gave him the chance. This would be a trade for Colorado to add a stud prospect and two other guys with high ceilings but need work.
Trade 3
The Chicago White Sox know they have a future stud power hitter in Andrew Vaughn. He appeared to be the backup plan at first base once Jose Abreu is out of town. Jose is going to be here, however, so they can figure out his succession plan later if it means trading for Arenado. Colorado would love to add a blue-chip prospect like Vaughn to their pipeline. He is probably a year or two out from making his MLB debut, but he would fit nicely into their retool.
Dane Dunning is a good pitching prospect, but the White Sox have a lot of up and coming arms so dealing one might be in the cards. Colorado is probably looking to add a mid-level pitching prospect in any trade for Arenado so Dunning would likely fit that bill perfectly. He could develop into a really solid starter someday, it is just hard to see him fitting into what the White Sox are doing.
Zack Collins is already on the White Sox depth chart. He is the third-string catcher right now behind Yasmani Grandal and James McCann. He can also play some first base but the White Sox already has Jose Abreu there and Edwin Encarnacion can play some first if need be too. One of those guys would need to be injured long term for him to get some significant playing time with the White Sox. That is why they might be wise to move him before his value decreases.
light. Related Story. The White Sox are lucky to have Jose Abreu around right now
Obviously, acquiring Arenado is not likely. There have been some rumors but the closer we get to opening day, the farther it feels from Colorado trading him. They might move him at some point throughout the season, but right now seems like a longshot at this point. If the White Sox did want him that bad though, these trades would make a lot of sense for both sides.