Chicago White Sox: 3 players considered untouchable right now
The Chicago White Sox have an excellent nucleus of players that they are using to build one of the best teams in Major League Baseball around. They have some powerful hitters such as Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada, Andrew Vaughn, and Jose Abreu. That’s their nucleus of hitters.
Their nucleus of pitchers includes such talented guys as Carlos Rodon, Lucas Giolito, Dallas Keuchel and Lance Lynn. These are guys that you can count on to help win games and get the team out of trouble should they find themselves in it.
There are a few needs on this team that could be taken care of through a trade. Getting a good second baseman is one need that the White Sox have and they did it with Cesar Hernandez. They could also use some help at catcher, for the time being, although Yasmani Grandal is expected back sooner rather than later.
Bullpen help should also be on the list as the bullpen has struggled somewhat over the course of the season. That has also been addressed in the form of Ryan Tepera. If the White Sox see another opportunity there, they may jump and take advantage of it.
The Chicago White Sox are going to be trying to make some big trades before tomorrow.
Of course, to make a trade, you are going to need capital to trade with and the White Sox have plenty of that. However, there are some that they shouldn’t think of trading because it would completely destroy the team.
Some of the non-tradable players are obvious. Guys like Jose Abreu, Lance Lynn and Carlos Rodon should not be traded. But there are others who are not so obvious that the team should keep around to help them continue on their path to greatness.
As we prepare for Major League Baseball’s 2021 Trade Deadline, which is coming up this Friday, we will take a closer look at three players that the White Sox should keep. These are guys that they should not allow to go anywhere in any trade scenario. It’s important to keep them around in order for them to stay on track and hopefully win a World Series championship.
Michael Kopech
Michael Kopech should be on the list of Chicago White Sox untradables every year.
You wouldn’t think that the White Sox would want to let Kopech go but his name has been mentioned in a few trade rumors. The young future star has had his ups and downs but his upside is solid and therefore, teams may come calling for his services. The Sox need him more than any other team does.
Kopech is a relatively fresh relief pitcher. He has been with the White Sox organization since 2018 but suffered an injury that required him to have Tommy John surgery. That kept him out for quite a while. Then, during the Covid-riddled 2020 season, he chose to sit out and wait until this year to play again. Sitting out might have done him some good, however, as he is fresh and ready to go.
In fact, he is much fresher and much healthier than many of the other players playing right now (despite suffering a hamstring injury earlier in the season). This would make him a prime target for a team that is building and wants to inject a little youth into their bullpen. Kopech has a lot of potential and could very easily be a valuable asset to any team in the very near future.
The White Sox cannot afford to lose him. While Kopech hasn’t made a gigantic impact on the team just yet, he will in the future and the White Sox will need that impact. It’s important that the team allow him to stick around so that he can help bolster their bullpen.
Unless the White Sox get something very good in return, look for them to keep hold of Kopech and have him end up being a very valuable member of the bullpen. He’s someone that they need to keep and would be wise keeping him for the future. Don’t look for them to be in the “selling” mood when it comes to Kopech.
Dylan Cease
Dylan Cease has been very good for the Chicago White Sox this season.
Dylan Cease has turned into a pretty decent pitcher over the course of this season. This is despite the fact that he has some room to grow. He’s been an asset to the White Sox and it would be hard to get rid of him. But anyone can be traded as long as there is someone out there that wants them and thinks that he will be a good fit. So far, through July 28th, Cease has started in 21 games and currently has seven wins and six losses. He has posted an ERA of 4.14.
The White Sox need to keep Cease around to help provide much needed depth at the pitching position as well as give themselves another quality starter in the rotation. While Cease isn’t “lights out” like Rodon and Lynn, he still provides the team with a quality starter that can and will win games.
What might happen if another team should come along and offer any kind of trade for Cease? First, the White Sox would have to get another starting pitcher in return. The team cannot just give up Cease and not get someone to replace him in the lineup. The person that replaces him would have to be as good or better than he is. Losing any pitcher right now, without a replacement, would be a huge mistake.
However, it’s highly unlikely that the White Sox would let Cease go in a trade. He’s just too valuable in the rotation and the Sox would likely not get enough for him in return. It’s a better idea to hang onto him and let him continue to develop into an elite starter who could, someday, win the Cy Young Award.
Billy Hamilton
Billy Hamilton is going to be very useful for the Chicago White Sox in the playoffs.
There may be some of you out there scratching your heads and wondering why Billy Hamilton is on this list. After all, he hasn’t had a gigantic impact on the White Sox. However, he has had at least a little bit of an impact and has helped them win a few games this season.
Hamilton, an outfielder and baserunner, is not a regular starter in the White Sox lineup. When he has been, it’s been due to injuries. He may be pushed even further down the list (or completely off the team) once Luis Robert makes it back into the lineup.
But there is something that Hamilton has that many other players do not possess and that’s heart to go along with a try hard attitude. This guy gives 100 percent effort every time he comes to the plate. When he’s in the outfield, he gives it his all. He’s a media “darling” and he is a leader on and off the field.
Let us hope that the White Sox don’t trade him away unless they are planning to let him walk without a trade. If they do that, they should try to find a trade partner that is suitable for Hamilton and at least get something decent in return for him. Something is obviously better than nothing. Still, Hamilton is inspiring to the team and a true asset.
For at least this year, the White Sox need to keep him on the roster and not allow him to get away. Next year may not be a good yeaar for the White Sox to have him but right now need him to stay on the roster in order to help inspire the team and keep them moving in the right direction.
Related Story. Cesar Hernandez is going to make a big impact. light