Chicago White Sox: 3 helpful trade packages for Mitch Haniger

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 15: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners in action against the Cleveland Indians at T-Mobile Park on May 15, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MAY 15: Mitch Haniger #17 of the Seattle Mariners in action against the Cleveland Indians at T-Mobile Park on May 15, 2021 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
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(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images) /

The Chicago White Sox are in a very unique spot. Their manager doesn’t do much to help them yet they still find themselves in first place with the best record in the American League. They also have some key injuries to some of the best young hitters in the world in Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert. Those guys are going to miss a significant amount of time which is a major blow to the team.

The Chicago White Sox should consider making a trade for someone like Mitch Haniger.

The White Sox are going to be able to get by without them for a bit but it would certainly be nice to see them add just a bit of help. That way when they come back they have even more depth for the playoffs. Mitch Haniger of the Seattle Mariners is someone who has often been considered “available” so far this season.

Every year, it seems like the Seattle Mariners get off to a decent start despite a lackluster roster and people wonder. Well, by now, they are usually cooled off and this year is no different. They are currently 21-23 but they are 3-7 in their last ten games. The hot start has clearly worn off over the past few weeks. They do, however, sit in third place because the Los Angeles Angels and Texas Rangers have somehow been even worse.

Mitch Haniger is a very good outfielder. He did not play during the short 2020 COVID-19 season so it is nice to see him back playing well this year. He currently has a slash of .256/,309/.543 with an OPS of .852. He has an impressive 12 home runs, 30 RBIs, and 30 runs scored. That type of power is perfect for the White Sox right now. These are three packages that might get it done.

(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images) /

The Chicago White Sox might need to give them an MLB player in addition to prospects.

The Chicago White Sox needs a bigger bat in the outfield. Trading Leury Garcia as a part of a package might be worth it in addition to prospects so that Seattle has a position player in Haniger’s place. Garcia is currently the longest-tenured player in the Chicago White Sox organization which is nice and all but they would be better off moving him for a bigger bat.

Jonathan Stiever is the type of high ceiling pitching prospect that a team in Seattle’s position would be smart for taking a chance on. If they can develop him well, it could pay off nicely. He is currently listed as the White Sox number four prospect so you know that they think very highly of him as a right-handed talent. There simply isn’t enough room in the future rotation for them right now so trading him for help where they need it might be in the cards.

Tyler Johnson is also a right-handed pitcher but he is a little bit further down in the White Sox organization. He ranks as the 19th overall prospect in the White Sox organization. The Mariners, with this trade, would be adding two right-handed pitching prospects and a position player to play in the meantime. The White Sox are getting someone who could really help them for the rest of this season and maybe even beyond that.

(Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

The Chicago White Sox has plenty of organizational depth to land someone like Mitch Haniger.

The Chicago White Sox would love to have someone like Mitch Haniger help them during their injured 2021 season. While Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez remain out, they need as much help on offense as they can get. If you acquire Haniger, you can move Adam Eaton to centerfield and have him play right. There are even more options when Adam Engel returns. When the two stars return, you have as much depth as you need to win a World Series.

Micker Adolfo is great but he probably isn’t ready to help this current team in the absence of their injured guys. By the time he is ready, the outfield is probably too crowded for him anyway. It would be much smarter right now for the White Sox to use him as trade bait. He could go to Seattle and really thrive there if they continue to let him develop and eventually allow him to make his MLB debut.

Jimmy Lambert is a lot like Tyler Johnson. He is their 16th ranked prospect as a right-handed pitcher. You never know how these pitchers turn out which is why it is always smart for rebuilding teams to take a chance on them. This is the type of deal you make if the rebuilding team doesn’t need an MLB-ready player coming back.

(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images) /

The Chicago White Sox have some nice infielders they can send away for help.

It is hard to see Jake Burger ever playing third base full time for the White Sox. Yoan Moncada is going to be that guy for a very long time. He is an elite defensive player and his bat is as good as it can be right now. The sky is the limit for an MVP caliber player like this who is just getting started.

It is also hard to see Gavin Sheets ever playing first base for the White Sox for an extended period of time. That job belongs to Jose Abreu as long as he wants it. Once Abreu moves on, Andrew Vaughn will be the long-term first baseman.

Because of this, the White Sox would be smart to move them for help. Sending these two players away is giving away a lot of power potential which should intrigue a team like Seattle. They also each play corner infield positions which could really help a team that is trying to rebuild. Even if it is to add depth to the position, it is something to consider for the Mariners.

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As long as Robert and Jimenez remain out without update, there will be rumors surrounding outfield help. Haniger is a player whose name has been in the mix for trades so far this season and the White Sox are definitely in that conversation now.

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