Chicago White Sox: 4 relievers to trade for before deadline
The MLB trade deadline is right around the corner. At the top of Rick Hahn’s list is to solidify the bullpen. The Chicago White Sox bullpen was supposed to be a strength of the team heading into the season. Aaron Bummer even said that their goal was to be undefeated when leading after the sixth inning.
On paper, there was a good reason for this. Bummer had a 2.13 ERA in 2019 and a 0.96 ERA in 2020. Ethan Katz called his sinker the most impressive thing he has ever seen. Meanwhile, Evan Marshall posted a sub-three ERA his previous two seasons with the White Sox.
Matt Foster had a 2.20 mark and Codi Heuer had a 1.52 ERA. Garrett Crochet was virtually unhittable with his blazing fastball and Liam Hendriks was acquired to be the closer. Hendriks was named the best relief pitcher in baseball by MLB Network during the offseason.
Things have not gone as planned. Heuer’s ERA ballooned up to 5.26. Matt Foster was sent down to Charlotte. Evan Marshall went down with an injury but not before putting up a 5.60 ERA. Aaron Bummer’s ERA is just below five, and Crochet has yet to hit 100 mph with a pitch this season. The only bright spots in the bullpen have been Micheal Kopech and Liam Hendriks.
The Chicago White Sox needs to make sure that their bullpen is solidified before October.
On Sunday night the White Sox needed Liam Hendriks to lock down a six-out save just to hang onto a two-run lead. This formula will not be sustainable in the postseason.
There are plenty of good arms available on the market. Another setup man to help bridge the gap between the sixth inning may be just what the White Sox need to get over the top this season. Here are the four names Rick Hahn should target at the trade deadline to fix the bullpen:
Ryan Tepera
Ryan Tepera wouldn’t have to go very far to join the Chicago White Sox bullpen.
Like Liam Hendriks, Ryan Tepera was named reliever of the month in May. He had a 0.61 ERA in May to go along with a save. On the season, he has a 2.91 ERA. It is unknown whether the Chicago Cubs are going to sell at the deadline. With a record below .500 and most of the core on the last year of their contracts, it would be a good idea too.
A player like Tepera could fetch them some good prospects. However, he would not be as expensive as Craig Kimbrel so it is more reasonable for the White Sox. The White Sox don’t need a closer, so overpaying for one doesn’t make much sense. Getting a quality setup man for a reasonable price does.
Tepera doesn’t allow many baserunners. He owns a 0.78 WHIP on the season. He also has 50 strikeouts in 43.1 innings pitched. Tepera has also proved to be reliable throughout his career. He has a 3.54 ERA in seven big league seasons. Late in games, he is someone you can depend on. Getting someone like that is what could turn the White Sox from a World Series contender to a World Series champion.
Ian Kennedy
The Chicago White Sox could turn to a former division rival for help in the bullpen.
The White Sox are very familiar with Ian Kennedy. They faced him in the division for five years when he was a member of the Kansas City Royals.
Kennedy spent the majority of his career as a starter before being converted to a closer by the Royals in 2019. The returns for the Royals were decent. Kenndey converted 30 saves in 34 opportunities and had a respectable 3.41 ERA. This season he has a 2.59 ERA with 15 saves and a 1.09 WHIP in 31 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. The Rangers are way out of contention so they will be trying to cash in while Kennedy’s value is high.
Acquiring another closer could benefit the White Sox. When Hendriks has to convert a six-out save as he did on Sunday, then you can have Kennedy available to close out the game the next day if Hendriks needs a rest.
When Hendriks doesn’t need a rest, 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.
Richard Rodriguez
The Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates can still be trade partners this year.
The White Sox missed out on the Adam Frazier deal but they can still hit up the Pirates line for a relief pitcher. It just so happens they have a closer that would be a great fit in the White Sox bullpen. Richard Rodriguez has a sparkling 2.83 ERA with an even more impressive 0.83 WHIP.
He throws almost exclusively fastballs and generates weak contact. He does not strike out a ton of hitters but his lack of walks cancels that out. Adding to his intrigue is that he is under contract through 2023. If he plays well for the White Sox he may be a nice arm to have in the bullpen while their contention window is open.
He is 31 years old and he hasn’t seen a drop off in statistics these past four seasons. In 2018, he had a 2.47 ERA. In 2020, he had a 2.82 mark. The Pirates are in prospect accumulation mode so they are trying to sell off whatever assets they can.
“Rich Rod” would be a great addition to the back end of the bullpen. With him and Kopech, that would be as strong a bridge to the ninth inning as any team in baseball.
Yimi Garcia
The Chicago White Sox could go for Yimi Garcia of the Miami Marlins if they want help.
Yimi Garcia was pulled off the scrap head by the Miami Marlins after the Dodgers non-tendered him in 2020. It turned out to be a great decision because Garcia has been excellent for the Marlins.
He had a 0.60 ERA in 2020. Garcia also had two holds and a save in the shortened season. His value has dropped some this year as his ERA has gone up to 3.47. That is still not a bad mark for a relief pitcher. He also has a FIP of 3.67 and a 1.25 WHIP which also is not terrible. Garica is 15 for 18 in save opportunities so he can get the job done in crunch time.
His biggest weapon is his fastball-slider combo but he can also mix in a curveball and changeup. One thing that is concerning is that his strikeout rate is the lowest it has been since he has entered the league. Garcia has been able to overcome it but it is definitely something to look out for.
The postseason math works against the Marlins and Garcia is a pending free agent so now would be a good time to sell him. The Chicago White Sox would be a great team for a player like him to go to.
light. Related Story. The White Sox missed big on Adam Frazier