3 second base trade options for the White Sox to consider

Adalberto Mondesi

Adalberto Mondesi is someone that would help the Chicago White Sox a lot.

Inter division trades are rare but that doesn’t mean they can’t happen, just ask Cesar Hernandez. The Kansas City Royals are going nowhere fast this season. They are off to an abysmal 9-17 start.

Adalberto Mondesi could be a name on the Royals to monitor. He does not come without risk. On April 28th, he was placed on the 10-day injured list.

Last August, Royals president Dayton Moore openly doubted Mondesi’s ability to stay healthy for a full season. Nicky Lopez showed that he can be a viable replacement at shortstop and Whit Merrifield seems to be entrenched at second base after surviving trade rumors for the past couple of seasons.

Bobby Witt Jr, the Royals’ top prospect, has also broken into the infield rotation this season. Mondesi owns a very high strikeout rate. Add Mondesi’s high strikeout rate, Moore’s doubts, and the Royals’ infield depth, and Mondesi becomes tradeable.

So why would the White Sox want an injury-prone second baseman with a high strikeout rate? His cost will be low and his upside is tremendous.

While it is true that Mondesi has had some injury troubles, he is a dynamic player with a rare combination of speed and power. Mondesi would give the White Sox a dynamic base stealer which is something they have been lacking the past couple of seasons.

He stole 32 bags in 2018 and 43 in 2019. He then led the league with 24 in just 59 games in 2020. Mondesi’s best season came in 2018 when he hit .276 with 14 home runs and a .804 OPS. The following season, he led the league with 10 triples.

His athleticism allows him to play an above-average shortstop. However, for the White Sox purposes, he would be used at second base. Mondesi is no stranger to second base as he started 40 games there in his rookie season and has appeared in 68 games at second base overall.

His athleticism and versatility also allow him to play third base so he can be plugged in anywhere in the infield. Mondesi is controllable through 2023 so he wouldn’t be a one-year rental for the White Sox and his projected 3.2 million dollar salary still gives them the flexibility to make other moves.

Because he has struggled to stay healthy, this would be a sell-low situation for the Royals meaning the White Sox could get him at a discounted price. Any of these moves could really help their chances.