Chicago White Sox: 1 trade to make and 1 to avoid
There are plenty of good players for the Chicago White Sox to consider this year.
Need To Trade For Adam Frazier
The White Sox have a very strong roster overall. They don’t need a starting pitcher. They have an MVP first baseman in Jose Abreu, an All-Star shortstop in Tim Anderson, and a former top prospect manning third base in Yoan Moncada.
In the outfield, they have a gold glove caliber combo in Billy Hamilton and Adam Engel. Brian Goodwin exceeded expectations in the right field. Reinforcements are on the way when Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, and Yasmani Grandal return from injury. The biggest hole in the equation is at second base.
Friday night’s game against the Houston Astros was further evidence the White Sox need to make a move at the deadline. Leury Garcia has been a solid player for the White Sox but he cannot be the starting second baseman on a championship contender. He is much better suited for a utility role.
Out of all the infielders available at the trade deadline, Adam Frazier makes the most sense. Frazier is in the midst of his best season to date. He put together an All-Star campaign during the first half of the season by hitting .330 with 116 hits, 31 RBIs, and 34 extra-base hits. These numbers earned him his first career All-Star appearance. He made the most of it, starting at second base for the National League and hitting a single.
His ability to hit for contact and for a high average makes him the perfect replacement for the injured Nick Madrigal. He would also have much more lineup protection with the White Sox than he does with the Pirates so his numbers should get even better. He would also fit in great with the White Sox clubhouse. Frazier won the Heart and Hustle Award in 2017 with the Pirates. That is the type of player Tony La Russa wants in the locker room, a guy that plays hard.
Unlike Trevor Story and Eduardo Escobar, he has multiple years left on his contract. He would not be a rental player and the White Sox can use his services again in a Championship run next season. What makes Frazier valuable is his versatility. He is a true utility player that can play multiple positions.
Even when Nick Madrigal returns next season, the White Sox should be able to find a spot to plug Frazier in. In 2016 he played 16 games in right field so perhaps he could be the White Sox solution there. Frazier makes too much sense for the White Sox not to trade for. He is a better player than Escobar. Meanwhile, Trevor Story probably costs more and needs to transition to second base.