Chicago White Sox: 3 bold trade deadline predictions
The second half of the season is underway and we are officially in trade season. The Chicago White Sox have been linked to Eduardo Escobar with multiple Bob Nightengale reports hinting that a deal was close.
The White Sox has also been linked to Adam Frazier and Trevor Story but nothing has come of it yet. The trade talk has been relatively quiet surrounding the White Sox. As we get deeper into July, expect that to change.
Every couple of years, a blockbuster deal comes along that shocks everyone. In 2009 the Chicago White Sox were a part of one of these when the San Diego Padres traded Jake Peavy to them before the deadline. The White Sox were hovering around .500 and pitching was one of their strong suits. The trade had mixed results but it sent shock waves across the fan base when news broke.
Another bold trade involving the White Sox occurred in 1967. The Boston Red Sox were looking to make a pennant run. They needed an extra bat in their lineup, however, so they dealt 37-year-old Don McMahon to the White Sox for Jerry Adair. McMahon was an excellent reliever who finished the season with a 1.67 ERA. McMahon helped turn the White Sox into a team with one of the best pitching staff in the league.
Will we see any blockbuster deals for the White Sox this year? With the trade deadline, fast approaching there are many ways this can go. These are three different paths that the team could take before the big day:
The White Sox Stand Pat
The Chicago White Sox might consider doing absolutely nothing before the deadline.
Despite the buzz surrounding Eduardo Escobar and Adam Frazier, the White Sox will not make a trade before the deadline. With Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert and Yasmani Grandal set to return before the end of the season, the White Sox will feel like they have all the reinforcements they need.
This team has already proven that they are contenders despite not being 100 percent healthy yet. With Robert, Grandal, and Jimenez, the offense will be lethal. The front office would also be able to keep their farm system strong and not worry about giving up assets. Depending on how you view the front office, maybe this isn’t so bold. Many fans have criticized them for being cheap and unwilling to make moves.
However, this assessment has been incorrect. Rick Hahn has often been aggressive when trying to get the White Sox in contention. In 2014 he traded for Jeff Samardzija. Hahn also signed Melky Cabrera and Adam LaRoche. The following season he traded for Todd Frazier.
During the 2016 season, he tried to bolster the rotation by acquiring James Shields before the trade deadline. When the team is in contention Rick Hahn is usually aggressive in trying to improve the team. This time, with help already on the way, why waste valuable assets for a rental player?
Trevor Story will need to transition to second base which might make him uncomfortable. Joey Gallo is a nice player but the White Sox already have plenty of outfield depth when healthy. Kris Bryant and Craig Kimbrel are going to be too expensive and the Pirates will want too much for Adam Frazier. Rick Hahn is a smart GM and will only make a deal if the juice is worth the squeeze.
White Sox Trade Evan Marshall For Eduardo Escobar
The Chicago White Sox could really use a player like Eduardo Escobar at second.
It was reported by Bob Nightengale on 670 The Score that a deal for Eduardo Escobar to come to the White Sox in exchange for a relief pitcher was in place. Unfortunately, Escobar suffered a quad injury and the pitcher needed a cortisone shot.
That trade fell through about three weeks ago. That is also around the same time Evan Marshall went down with an elbow injury. Cortisone shots usually go into your joints such as an elbow so it would make sense if he was the pitcher the Diamondbacks wanted.
Marshall has been a solid reliever for the White Sox the past couple of seasons. He posted a sub-three ERA in 2019 and 2020. The Diamondbacks have one of the worst bullpens in baseball. The Diamondbacks are also familiar with Marshall as he played for them from 2014-2016. Perhaps the Diamondbacks will try and resign him next season to stick around.
I am guessing the White Sox would also have to throw in some cash considerations to sweeten the pot. A trade for Marshall and Escobar straight up does not make much sense from the Diamondback standpoint.
Meanwhile, the White Sox needs a second baseman. There have been rumors surrounding a trade to the White Sox for quite some time. He would give the White Sox more power in the lineup and a quality left-handed bat. Out of all the players on the market, he would be the cheapest option. If it only cost the White Sox Evan Marshall and some cash considerations then Rick Hahn would absolutely make that deal.
White Sox Add Ian Kennedy
The Chicago White Sox could consider adding some bullpen help before the deadline.
The White Sox bullpen was supposed to be a strength of the team heading into the season. Aaron Bummer said the goal was to have an undefeated record when the team leads after six innings. Things have not worked out as planned.
Bummer has a 4.35 ERA. Codi Heuer has a 4.79 ERA. Reynaldo Lopez was called up to replace the struggling Matt Foster. Evan Marshall went down with an injury while others such as Zack Burdi and Jimmy Lambert have struggled.
The White Sox need someone to help bridge the gap into the ninth inning. Garrett Crochet and Michael Kopech can only do so much. That is where the Texas Rangers come in. They are 20.5 games out of first place and selling at the deadline. They signed Ian Kennedy to a Minor League deal in February and have turned him into a prized reliever.
Kennedy spent the majority of his career as a starter before being converted to a closer by the Royals in 2019. This season he has a 2.53 ERA with 12 saves and a 1.08 WHIP in 21 appearances. Because of his affordable $2.15 base salary, the White Sox should be able to pry him away from the rangers for relatively cheap.
Related Story. The White Sox could consider Javier Baez for second base. light
Kennedy would be able to serve as a solid late innings man without having the pressure of closing games. A one-two punch of him and Liam Hendriks in the eighth and ninth inning would be lethal for the White Sox.