3 updated Jazz Chisholm White Sox trades following Luis Arraez news
The American League Central Division is loaded with question marks. Obviously, one of them is the Chicago White Sox who had a truly terrible year in 2022. They were expected to be very good and were the most mediocre .500 team ever.
One team that was almost as much of a disappointment was the Minnesota Twins. They finished a couple of games behind the White Sox in third place but they are both trying to get to where the Cleveland Guardians were in 2022. Each is trying to improve on a tough ending.
Well, the Twins made a weird move to trade Luis Arraez to the Miami Marlins for pitching help. They are letting go of one of their best hitters and one of the best hitters in the American League. Now, he is heading to Miami as the Twins hope that this move makes them better in the long term.
Arraez is going to play second base for the Marlins which is his natural position. They signed Jean Segura and he is going to play shortstop which is certainly the best spot for him. That leaves Jazz Chisholm Jr. without a position.
The Chicago White Sox might be able to trade for their second baseman.
Kim Ng says that they are going to use Chisholm Jr. in centerfield which wouldn't be a bad idea but you can't help but wonder if they will consider trading him for help in other areas.
If he came to the Chicago White Sox, he would certainly be put at second base which is his natural position. For a deal like that to happen, the package might have to look something like this:
To White Sox: Jazz Chisholm - To Marlins: Colson Montgomery, Yoelqui Cespedes, Wes Kath
The White Sox might be smart to give up some prospect capital here.
If the White Sox added Jazz Chisholm Jr. to the team right now, they would instantly become better. He would fit in so well with Tim Anderson in the middle of the infield. With Andrew Vaughn and Yoan Moncada at the corners, it could end up being a very solid defensive infield.
They all have also shown the ability to hit well at different times in the past. If they all managed to have good years in 2023, that could be the best overall infield in the division which could go a long way in helping the team win. It may take a lot to get Jazz but it could be worth it.
Colson Montgomery, Yoelqui Cespedes, and Wes Kath are all very good prospects that want to play Major League Baseball one day. For where the Miami Marlins are in thier rebuild right now, it might be worth it to add some of these young guys and see what they have in them.
They are clearly trying to improve in 2023 otherwise they wouldn't have traded for Arraez but they can still keep getting younger to see if they can make their team really good in the long term while trying to compete for wins in the short term.
To White Sox: Jazz Chisholm - To Marlins: Jake Burger, Lucas Giolito, Oscar Colas
It might take a steep return for the White Sox to get Jazz Chisholm Jr.
The Chicago White Sox could make a big move before spring training begins. It is unlikely that they do because they are content with what they have at second base but it is pretty obvious that using Romy Gonzalez or Lenyn Sosa is not putting their best foot forward.
Making a big trade to shake things up would at least be them trying to do something to reverse what happened to them last year. They can get a very good second baseman that would change the entire dynamic of their team from a team loaded with infielders.
If he doesn't play centerfield well, the Sox should be ready to strike. Getting rid of Lucas Giolito, Jake Burger, and Oscar Colas would again be a hefty price but any team seeking Jazz is going to have to do so if they want him bad enough.
Giolito is hoping to have a bounce-back year while Burger and Colas are looking for everyday playing time that they may or may not get with the White Sox. The Marlins might be a team willing to give it to them right away. It would be tough to see these guys go but trying to compete in 2023 is important.
To White Sox: Jazz Chisholm - To Marlins: Garrett Crochet, Gavin Sheets, Aaron Bummer
Getting a great player like Jazz Chisholm Jr. certainly would cost a lot.
The Miami Marlins play in arguably the toughest division in the league. The Atlanta Braves won the World Series in 2021, the Philadelphia Phillies were in the World Series in 2022, and the New York Mets have the highest payroll by a lot and have the best chance of the three in 2023.
The Washington Nationals are awful so the Marlins don't really have to worry about them. However, they clearly want to compete in the division this year and seem to be trying to do so. The trade for Luis Arraez certainly suggests that they are trying to win.
Trading from a strength to address a weakness would certainly help their chances. Garrett Crochet and Aaron Bummer would totally help them with their bullpen. That is something that can propel any team in the league forward. Each of them had some injury trouble in 2022 but are ready to go now.
Gavin Sheets is a power-hitting lefty that can increase any team's chances of hitting more home runs. He doesn't play right field particularly well but he does good enough sometimes and he is a natural first baseman which is something that might help the Marlins in one way or another.
None of these trades could end up being what gets Chisholm out of Miami but you truly never know. If he does become available, however, the White Sox should be as all-in as these trades suggest because he is a wonderful player.
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