MLB Trade Deadline: Three White Sox rumors that never came true

Mike Clevinger/Cleveland Indians Trade

The Cleveland Indians are a team that went into the trade deadline tied with the White Sox for first place in the American League Central. They have a surplus of elite pitching which makes it understandable why they cut bait with Mike Clevinger for his off the field antics but it does feel weird that they gave up on him so quickly. They have a legit chance to win the World Series with that pitching and they just let him go.

The White Sox were all over these rumors surrounding Clevinger. It was hard to see a division rival that is tied with you for the division lead handing over an elite pitcher but that was the conversation being had. It would have been cool to see him join Giolito and Keuchel but it never did.

Instead, the Cleveland Indians sent Clevinger to the San Diego Padres in a nine-player deal. It was really interesting to see it all develop over the past few days as Clevinger was the biggest piece known to be on the market. The Padres won the day and a large part of it was because they added an ace to their staff. The price was too high for the White Sox to smartly acquire him so it is probably better in the end that he is now in the National League.