As the MLB lockout trudges along Chicago White Sox fans are forced to sit idly by to wait and see if Rick Hahn will make any upgrades. Spring training is creeping up and holes at second base and right field remain.
Once the work stoppage ends, the best way for Hahn to address these needs may be via the trade market. Today we will visit the American League West and see one trade the White Sox could potentially make with each team in the division.
The American League West has an interesting mix of teams on the cusp of contending such as the Seattle Mariners and Los Angeles Angeles along with a true contender in the Houston Astros. Meanwhile, the Oakland Athletics are holding a garage sale and the Texas Rangers are on a spending spree, desperately trying to become relevant again.
Last season the Astros took home the division crown but it wasn’t without some resistance. The Seattle Mariners shocked everyone and finished just five games back and nearly sneaked into the postseason. This offseason, they added AL Cy Young winner Robbie Ray and are making a strong push to acquire Kris Bryant.
Oakland finished third with a 86-76 record in what was yet another disappointing season. The Angels boasted AL MVP Shohei Ohtani but that was about all they had going for them as Mike Trout went down with an injury and the Halos once again found themselves with a losing record.
Predictably, the Rangers rounded out the pack in last place. However, they dug deep into their pockets to acquire Kyle Seager and Marcus Semien this offseason. Will it make them contenders? No, but it certainly makes them more intriguing to watch.
The Chicago White Sox could consider a few players from each AL West team.
It is a diverse mix of teams. Some will be much more willing to become trading partners with the White Sox than others but they all have assets that could help them. The question is what will it take to get them?