White Sox: 3 potential DHs to trade to the National League

The Chicago White Sox needs to make moves this offseason. With a long-anticipated MLB work stoppage underway, the free agency just got a whole lot more complicated for general managers across the league. There is no end in sight to this thing which means that free agency could potentially drag into when pitchers and catchers report for spring training.

This is especially problematic for teams like the Chicago White Sox who are in an arms race to become a World Series contender. After winning the division and hen getting bounced in the ALDS, the White Sox are poised to take the next step this season. They cannot accomplish this unless some glaring holes are addressed. Specifically second base, right field, and some more pitching depth.

The White Sox have already missed out on most of the big profile middle infielders. Perhaps a solution could can via the trade route. The White Sox have plenty of assets they can move. With the designated hitter expected to come to the National League, it makes a few pieces they have even more appealing.

There are a lot of teams in the National League that could really use some help if the designated hitter does in fact come. A lot of teams might look towards deep American league teams to get someone to come and fill that position. It is a game-changing rule change if it does happen.

The Chicago White Sox could trade someone to the National League to be a DH.

Rebuilding teams such as the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, or Pittsburgh Pirates could be interested in some of the White Sox young talent. Here are three potential trade candidates:

Gavin Sheets

Gavin Sheets showed tremendous potential with the White Sox in 2021.

Gavin Sheets did everything the White Sox could ask of him upon being called up. He burst onto the scene with instant production. During his MLB debut on June 29th, he became the first White Sox player since Craig Wilson in 1998 to have multiple hits and RBIs in his Major League debut.

The next night he launched the first home run of his career. It would be the first of 11 home runs that he would belt in just 160 at-bats. One of those home runs included a walk-off against Jose Berrios of the Minnesota Twins on July 19th. His production carried over into the postseason where he batted .333 with a home run a double and an RBI.

Sheets has some upside as a left-handed power bat and the White Sox are giddy about his potential. However, his stock is at an all-time high and his natural position at first base is being blocked by Jose Abreu and Andrew Vaughn.

Abreu isn’t going anywhere and Vaughn was a first-round pick that projects to be a future staple in the lineup. Sheets’ defense and splits against left-handed pitching don’t justify putting him in the right field either.

If the White Sox were to dangle Sheets on the trade block then there should be plenty of suitors. In the National League, he would be a perfect fit for teams looking for a designated hitter. Out of all the players the White Sox have on the roster, a case could be made that Sheets has the highest trade value. Using him would be a good way to acquire a bullpen arm or mid-tier starting pitcher.

Yermin Mercedes

Yermin Mercedes of the White Sox could use a fresh start in his career.

Yermin Mercedes is an interesting prospect for a couple of reasons. But it may be time for a change of scenery. He is not your typical prospect considering his age. Mercedes bounced around the Minor Leagues, Independent ball, and the Dominican Summer League for a decade. He didn’t get his first real shot in the show until he was the age of 28.

When he finally got his chance in the big leagues, he seized the moment. He opened his career going a perfect 8-for-8, the most by a player in the modern era since 1900. Mercedes was the best player in baseball during the month of April, slashing .415/.455/.659 with a 1.113 OPS. He also hit five home runs including one of the mammoth variety during the White Sox home opener. Mercedes earned American League Rookie of the Month honors for his efforts.

Mercedes spiraled into a slump and was eventually sent down to Charlotte. However, he continued to rake down their posting a .275/.318/.464 slash line. He also hit 11 home runs, 19 extra-base hits, and drove in 29 in just 59 games. Unfortunately, Mercedes does have some immaturity issues.

He quit baseball for a day after being sent down and later posted some cryptic messages. He never notified the White Sox organization that he was retiring and nobody could get in contact with him for 24 hours.

It’s clear that Yermin Mercedes has talent. He has hit everywhere he has gone. He is a career .300 hitter in ten Minor League seasons. Could a team take a flier on him? It’s clear that the White Sox have no room on the roster for Mercedes.

Despite the lack of luster backup catcher production, they never called him up despite the fact that catcher is his natural position. Mercedes had the majority of his success as an everyday DH. In the National League, he could refind his footing if he gets playing time every day.