3 White Sox trades with a division rival to fill a big need

The Chicago White Sox could use a second baseman like Whit Merrifield.

The Chicago White Sox really needs a second baseman. It seems like Josh Harrison or Leury Garcia always come up to bat in the biggest spots and almost never get the job done. The problem with them is they either get it done in the most exciting way possible or have non-competitive at-bats.

If they could upgrade that position, their lineup would look even scarier. Of course, the other guys in the lineup would need to look much more like their old selves for anyone to be scared but that feels like it is going to happen.

Whit Merrifield is someone that the White Sox should know quite well. He is under contract for the rest of 2022, 2023, and has a mutual option for 2024. He would make a lot of sense because his contract fits this window that the White Sox have built.

It would be less than ideal to see them give up all three of Yoelqui Cespedes and Jake Burger for anyone but this would be worth it. Jimmy Lambert being thrown in is an extra bonus to see if the Royals can get something out of him. They would certainly love the former two.

Merrifield is a very good player that could help get the White Sox over the top. He is a two-time All-Star that is good defensively and with his bat. He would be perfect for the White Sox in almost every way.

The Chicago White Sox could look to add a 2nd baseman before 2022 is over.

Everyone keeps beating the same drum when it comes to the Chicago White Sox and their second base situation. They can’t keep going with Leury Garcia and Josh Harrison splitting the duties on an everyday basis. They really need someone good to come in and play there.

If Whit Merrifield can’t be had from the Kansas City Royals, there is one other team with a really good one in the division. Jonathan Schoop of the Detroit Tigers is someone to consider if they really want to grab someone to play that position on a full-time basis.

Jonathan Schoop was a very good player for the Baltimore Orioles for parts of six seasons. There was even an All-Star appearance in there. He then had a cup of coffee with both the Milwaukee Brewers and Minnesota Twins before landing with the Tigers.

He isn’t off to the best start with the Tigers this year but nobody on that team is doing good. If he came to the White Sox, he might find it easier to get going offensively. It is a move that could spark just about everyone in the White Sox lineup as well as Schoop himself.

Jared Kelley has high potential as a pitcher but he is someone that you flip for help like this if needed. Kade McClure is also a decent prospect that might not have the highest ceiling but you never know where his game can take him. For a struggling bat in Schoop, it is worth it for Detroit to at least consider.

The Chicago White Sox could trade Gavin Sheets for a good outfielder.

The Chicago White Sox have one other problem with their lineup and that is the position of right field. They have AJ Pollock and Adam Engel but it isn’t really looking like those guys are the ones who should be starting every day on a winning team.

They could also use someone who can play both left field and right field since Eloy Jimenez is almost never healthy. Someone that might be able to help them with that depth is Oscar Mercado. Like Jonathan Schoop, he isn’t someone that is off to this crazy start in 2022 so he might come cheap.

Giving up Gavin Sheets wouldn’t be awesome but it isn’t like he is a game-breaking left-handed power hitter. He is good for a few big hits every now and then but he clearly isn’t an everyday outfielder. If anything, he is much better defensively at first base. The white sox have plenty of first base options.

All of these might be shots in the dark but this White Sox team just hasn’t been good enough. They are a .500-level team right now with the New York Yankees looming on the schedule. They need to do something with this team before the trade deadline and their own division has a few options. They might need to start pulling away for anyone to actually trade with them.