Chicago White Sox: 3 trade targets to replace Luis Robert in centerfield
The Chicago White Sox are in trouble. They are going to miss out on Luis Robert for the next few months. If they are a playoff team down the stretch, he should return eventually so that has to be one of the goals of the organization. With both Robert and Eloy Jimenez both out, it is a daunting task but one they believe can happen. It might help their cause if they make a big move to replace some of that production. These are the three players that they should target via trade:
17. player. 9. . 3B/OF. Chicago Cubs. Kris Bryant
Kris Bryant would help the Chicago White Sox in so many ways for the 2021 season.
The White Sox could really benefit from making a trade with their friends on the north side. The Chicago Cubs have been dealing with a lot over the last few years. They aren’t very good anymore and some of their star players might start to get shipped out as a result. Kris Bryant is used to having his name in trade rumors by now so this one will be no different.
Bryant wouldn’t directly replace Robert in centerfield but he would sure replace some of his offensive production. After some concern following his slow 2020 season, Bryant has been amazing so far in 2021. He is well worth a hefty contract and the White Sox would be smart to get him while they can. They might not pay him after the season but he would surely be helpful for the one year.
Bryant mostly plays left if he is not playing third base so that would be a good spot for him on the White Sox. He certainly isn’t taking Yoan Moncada’s spot at third so left is the best option. That would move someone like Leury Garcia to centerfield. In that case, Andrew Vaughn can split DH duties with Yermin Mercedes again. Some people might be against something like this because of blind hate for Bryant but it would certainly be a great move.
62. . OF. Seattle Mariners. Mitch Haniger. 17. player
Mitch Haniger would thrive playing for a team like the Chicago White Sox.
Mitch Haniger has spent most of his career playing in the Seattle Mariners organization. He is a great player that is now 30 years old. There is a good chance that he wants to win a World Series and the White Sox would probably present him with the best opportunity to do it. The Mariners got off to a very good start but have come down to earth a little bit. They are 4-6 in their last ten.
If they continue to fall down in the standings like everyone expects them to, you can probably expect them to trade Haniger. The White Sox would be smart to go after him now while they need someone like him. He isn’t as good as Robert or Jimenez but he would bring a very good bat in to replace them in the meantime.
Going into Monday night’s action, Haniger was slashing .269/.311/.546 for an OPS of .857. Those are some really nice numbers that the White Sox would love to have right now. He also has a bit of power. His seven home runs, 21 RBIs, and 19 runs scored prove that his bat is very valuable. He also can play the outfield which is exactly what the White Sox needs right now.
OF. Colorado Rockies. Charlie Blackmon. 19. player. 108.
Charlie Blackmon would look great playing for the Chicago White Sox this season.
Charlie Blackmon is a very good player playing for a very bad organization. They showed in the offseason that they aren’t trying to win when they sent Nolan Arenado to the St. Louis Cardinals for a pretty bad return package. The White Sox might be able to get someone like Blackmon might be relatively cheap based on that recent history.
Blackmon would go right into the outfield for the White Sox. They might switch Adam Eaton to center and have Blackmon in right but that would all be up to the manager. In terms of adding someone like this and using him instead of the bench players, it is a great idea. The White Sox would look really nice with someone like this in the middle of their lineup. He isn’t as good as Robert but he might be better than anyone else they currently have healthy in the outfield.
We mentioned that Blackmon could be had for relatively cheap. The Rockies don’t do business well but Blackmon has also had a tough start to the year. We know how good he can be but his numbers are atrocious. On the 10-18 Rockies, a team with no future, might not be the easiest playing conditions. However, being traded to a winning team like this one could rejuvenate him for the year.
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Rick Hahn did say in his press conference that some moves would be considered to make up for the loss of Robert. We don’t know exactly what this means but it should mean something. They don’t want to mortgage the whole season because their future is as bright as anyone’s but they do need to address the problem in the short term to some degree.