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The White Sox give the Rays a catcher in one of these 3 trades

By Vincent Parise |
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 08: Seby Zavala #44 of the Chicago White Sox throws to first base against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 8, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - JULY 08: Seby Zavala #44 of the Chicago White Sox throws to first base against the Detroit Tigers at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 8, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
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The Tampa Bay Rays are going to be a playoff team when it is all said and done. The hope is that the Chicago White Sox are a playoff team as well.

They very well could meet in the first round of the MLB postseason depending on how they do down the stretch and into October.

With the 2022 MLB Trade Deadline looming, these two teams will be looking to upgrade their rosters. As of right now, they would be the perfect match for a trade as they head into the final week before the deadline.

The Tampa Bay Rays lost their catcher Mike Zunino for the season. That is a big loss and now the Rays need a catcher. The Chicago White Sox have three on their roster and would be willing to trade two. These are three trades the two teams can make:

The Chicago White Sox could make a one-for-one trade for one of their catchers.

If the Chicago White Sox want to make a one-for-one trade for one of their catchers, they could make a one-for-one deal for a need. They could use some help in the infield in case there is an injury and Isaac Paredes could be someone that helps them.

Paredes has played against the White Sox a bunch in his career as a member of the Detroit Tigers. He was traded to the Rays before the season and is having a much better year with them than he ever has with Detroit.

They might want to move him for a need while he is doing well and his value is high. This is a trade where each team can move someone that is playing well but can be replaced on their current team. Seby Zavala would be a great fit there either as a starter or a backup in Zunino’s absence.

(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)
(Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images) /

The Chicago White Sox could also land an outfielder in a trade for a catcher.

The Chicago White Sox has a revolving door when it comes to the outfield. When healthy, it is ideal to have Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, and AJ Pollock out there. Three natural outfielders are the way to go. Adam Engel makes a great fourth outfielder as well.

Unfortunately, injuries have kept that from being the case on most days. They have first basemen out there playing the outfield way too much. Andrew Vaughn and Gavin Sheets deserve respect for being great teammates but they are bad outfielders.

If anything, having a natural outfielder is better than having infielders. That is why the White Sox might take a look at Roman Quinn. They could make him the guy they bring back in a one-for-one deal for Reese McGuire.

Quinn bounced around a little bit in 2022 after spending his whole career with the Philadelphia Phillies before that. He had some struggles but has come on strong with the Rays over the last few days since signing with them.

You might wonder why the White Sox would take a chance on a player like him who was just taken off of free agency a few days ago. The answer is that they can try to keep his good play going for a catcher that they would lose for nothing anyway.

(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ron Vesely/Getty Images) /

The Chicago White Sox could be looking for a prospect in return for a catcher.

The Chicago White Sox could be looking for MLB players if they were to trade one of Reese McGuire or Seby Zavala. The Tampa Bay Rays have plenty of players that fit that bill like the first two trades mentioned here. However, the White Sox could also use this as an opportunity to add a prospect.

Of course, if they traded Seby Zavala, Yasmani Grandal and Reese McGuire would be the only two MLB-ready catchers that they have right now. There are always moves to make in case of an injury but it is nice to have good catchers in the Minors.

Amongst their top-30 prospects, only the number 30 guy is a catcher and Adam Hackenberg is only in high-A with a few years to go before he is even close t being MLB ready (if ever). Adding another catching prospect would help them.

Rene Pinto is the second catcher in the Rays’ top 30 and he sits as their number 25 guy. He is pretty close to MLB ready and is currently on their roster. However, Zavala would be an upgrade over him in the year 2022. Pinto might be better in the long term which is why the White Sox should try to get him while they are set at the MLB level.

It is going to be interesting to see if either of these teams move on the circumstances that face them. Few teams would be able to help each other as well as these two as they each have things the other needs.

Related Story. This White Sox rival could make a big trade. light

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