Nick Madrigal comes back to the Chicago White Sox in one of these 3 trades
The Chicago White Sox desperately needs help in many areas, but nothing is more pressing than second base. There have been many mistakes made with the position over the last few years and one of them was letting Nick Madrigal go to the Chicago Cubs.
The White Sox sent Codi Heuer with Madrigal to the north side in exchange for Craig Kimbrel. It was the right trade to make at the time but hindsight suggests that it was a terrible move for the White Sox. It also turns out that it wasn't that great deal for the Cubs either.
Heuer has hardly pitched for them (Tommy John) and Madrigal isn't even good enough to be in thier projected Opening Day lineup. They signed Dansby Swanson to play shortstop and Nico Hoerner is headed to second base. Now, we know Madrigal is a bench player for right now.
If the Cubs decide to trade him, the White Sox should be all over it. Just because he isn't really valuable to them doesn't mean that he would be useless for the White Sox. In fact, he would probably be the starting second baseman for the entire year (pending health).
The White Sox need some big time help at a few different positions.
The White Sox should do what they can to get him back. It might not cost as much as you'd think so it is worth exploring. If the price is right, they should be doing anything they can to address second base. Madrigal comes back to the White Sox in one of these potential trade packages:
To White Sox: Nick Madrigal - To Cubs: Lenyn Sosa and Sean Burke
The Chicago White Sox should seriously explore a trade for this 2B.
The Chicago White Sox need some help at second base. Using what they have is not good enough when it comes to a starting role in the year 2023. Looking too much like 2022 would mean that the team isn't very good. They should be looking to upgrade in any way that they can.
Regardless of what people say, Madrigal would be an upgrade. He might not be this awesome hitter but he is better than what the White Sox have set out to second base since he left. At a minimum, he is a guy who goes out there and makes contact. There are worse things to say about a nine hitter.
Trading Lenyn Sosa for Madrigal would be good for both sides. He would be a guy that can get a chance in a much less pressure filled role on the north side. He also won't have to get a lot of time with the White Sox this year if they moved him which could really help them.
Sean Burke is a pitcher that would technically be a throw in for this deal. He has a lot of talent but has a long way to go before he is Major League caliber (if ever). This deal for Madrigal would be a no-brainer for Rick Hahn and his staff.
To White Sox: Nick Madrigal - To Cubs: Jake Burger
The Chicago White Sox could give up something good for Nick Madrigal.
The Chicago White Sox made some decent first-round picks in recent years but none of them have truly become stars yet. Jake Burger and Nick Madrigal were selected by the White Sox in back-to-back seasons and now it would make sense for them to get traded for one another.
If Madrigal came back to the White Sox, he would fit right in as their new second baseman. If Jake Burger went to the Chicago Cubs, you'd like to think that he gets an opportunity to play with them right away. He could either be a designated hitter or a third baseman. Either way would work for him.
Burger has had his ups and downs but most of the downs are just because of his injury history. He has proven that when healthy, he can be a guy that hits Major League pitching very well. He has the ability to hit for contact and power. He also has a knack for the clutch.
Madrigal is much less likely to see a lot of playing time with the Cubs in 2023 if he stayed than they would give to Burger if they acquired him. For that reason, it is something for both sides to consider at this point in time.
To White Sox: Nick Madrigal - To Cubs: Romy Gonzalez, Yoelqui Cespedes
The Chicago White Sox might have to give up two decent prospects here.
The Chicago White Sox are not an organization loaded with high end prospects. That is why they might have to give up more than one in order to get what they want. The Cubs might also charge the White Sox just a bit more based on the fact that there is somewhat of a rivalry there.
Romy Gonzalez could go right back to the Cubs in exchange for Madrigal for the same reason that Lenyn Sosa could. Gonzalez makes much more sense as a backup to Swanson and Hoerner than Madrigal does for a variety of reasons. If this happened, the White Sox could then use Sosa when Madrigal has a day off or an injury.
Yoelqui Cespedes is a little bit more of a throw in here but he isn't the headlining piece going back to the Cubs. He has the potential to be a great player but has fallen down the rankings a little bit. The good news is that he might be close to MLB ready sometime very soon.
It is unclear if the Cubs will actually move on from him but there does seem to be some writing on the wall. If he does hit the block, the White Sox need to at least make a phone call. It will certainly be interesting to see what comes of his playing days with the Cubs following the big trade.
Next. The White Sox should consider a trade for Max Fried. dark