One realistic trade for the Chicago White Sox biggest trade candidates
Analyzing what trade packages could look like for the White Sox top players.
The MLB trade deadline is not until July 30, but we already know the Chicago White Sox will be sellers.
Sitting at 25-64, the Sox have by far the worst record in baseball. Now consider that the team has several players who's value may never be higher, and it makes sense to spend our time imagining trade packages. Players like Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham, and Paul DeJong are almost guaranteed to be moved.
However, the Sox could make things much more interesting if they decide to part with Garrett Crochet, Michael Kopech, and/or Luis Robert Jr. Crochet rumors have ramped up recently after reports the team was unable to negotiate a contract extension. Robert and Kopech rumors have been swirling for months as teams look for impact players to add before the stretch run.
Today, let's come up with one realistic trade proposal for each of the Sox biggest trade chips.
Tommy Pham, OF
Kansas City Royals receive: OF Tommy Pham
Chicago White Sox receive: OF Jared Dickey
The White Sox should not expect to get much for Pham. The veteran outfielder will be a free agent after the 2024 season and is on the wrong side of 30. However, Pham is still a productive player and has been one of the few bright spots for the Sox offense.
Pham is slashing .266/.342/.372 with four homers and 16 RBI. The veteran OF would provide a boost to a Royals' outfield that has been among the league's least productive. Pham could split time with Kyle Isbel or MJ Melendez in the OF, or could even take some bats at DH.
In return, the Sox get an interesting OF prospect in Jared Dickey. Dickey was drafted in the 11th round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of Tennessee. The young OF is currently playing for the High-A Quad Cities River Bandits and is slashing .260/.361/.397. Dickey has also shown some pop with six homers this season.
The familiarity between the Sox and Royals' organziations should make this an easy trade to get done.
Paul DeJong, IF
Atlanta Braves receive: IF Paul DeJong
Chicago White Sox receive: SS Mario Baez
Paul DeJong is another veteran on an expiring deal who should not be on the roster much longer. DeJong is slashing .237/.282/.456 on the season and leads the team with 16 homers. DeJong's defense, while not what it used to be, still suffices at the SS position.
The Braves may be the perfect trade partner for DeJong. Orlando Arcia has had a dreadful season and the Braves need to add some pop to the lineup. Since DeJong is 30+ and on an expiring deal, he won't command much, but Mario Baez would be an intriguing prospect.
Baez is currently the 30th-ranked prospect in the Braves' system. While it may seem like a steep price for DeJong, Baez is just 17 years old and the Braves have a bevy of middle infield talent in the minors. Baez stands at just 5'9" and is electric on the basepaths. The infielder will likely move to 2B in the future, but he's a contact-first hitter who rarely strikes out.
Erick Fedde, SP
Baltimore Orioles receive: SP Erick Fedde
Chicago White Sox receive: OF Dylan Beavers, RHP Trace Bright
There will undoubtedly be a huge market for the services of Erick Fedde. Teams always need reliable pitching depth for the stretch run, so any number of contending teams could land Fedde. However, the Baltimore Orioles seem to be a great fit due to their bevy of talented prospects.
Fedde has a 6-3 record with a 3.13 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. The pitcher has 94 strikeouts to just 28 walks, and his peripherals back up the steady production. The Orioles recently lost starter Kyle Bradish for the season and other starters Albert Suarez and Cole Irvin have been inconsistent. In exchange for Fedde, the Sox could land OF prospect Dylan Beavers and RHP Trace Bright.
Beavers is currently the team's 6th-ranked prospect and Bright is 15th. Beavers has the tools to be a regular OF in the MLB, while Bright has the upside to be a back of the rotation starter. Considering Fedde's production and non-rental status, landing two top-15 prospects in a system is reasonable.
Michael Kopech, Relief Pitcher
New York Yankees receive: Reliever Michael Kopech
Chicago White Sox receive: RHP Yoendrys Gomez, 3B Tyler Hardman
The White Sox do not have to trade Michael Kopech yet. The first-year closer has another year of team control before heading to free agency in 2026. However, teams may be willing to give an offer the Sox can't refuse for the flamethrowing closer.
Enter the New York Yankees. The Yankees are in the midst of another playoff run, but could add a reliable arm to the bullpen. The team has a middle-of-the-road 3.65 bullpen ERA and has dealt with a rash of injuries. Adding another proven reliever who can close games would be a godsend for the Bronx Bombers.
Like Fedde, Kopech is not a pure rental, thus increasing his value. The pitcher is just 28 and has experience as a starter, reliever, and closer. The Sox should ask for a couple of the Yanks' top-30 prospects. RHP Yoendrys Gomez is a intriguing pitcher with a mid-90's fastball that moves. Gomez is nearly MLB-ready and could slide into the Sox bullpen later this season.
3B Tyler Hardman is an intersting player with above-average power but limited range and speed. The Sox could try Hardman out in 2024 to see if he sticks.
OF Luis Robert Jr, and LHP Garrett Crochet
Los Angeles Dodgers receive: OF Luis Robert Jr., LHP Garrett Crochet
Chicago White Sox receive: OF Andy Pages, RHP Hyun-Seok Jang, RHP Nick Frasso, RHP Payton Martin, and OF Josue De Paula
As mentioned earlier, it seems like the White Sox are destined to trade Crochet after failing to reach an extension. Robert has been one of the most obvious trade candidates for a while now, and there may never be a better time for the Sox to cash in. Why not see if the Dodgers will pay a king's ransom for a package deal?
Robert has a Silver Slugger and Golden Glove Award, and was an All-Star in 2023. The slugger has a .225/.296/.512 slash line with 10 homers and 18 RBI. The star finally seems healthy and should be one of the most in-demand players at the deadline. Crochet, meanwhile, has been the best starter for the Sox with a 3.02 ERA and a WHIP under 1.00.
In return for the Sox best two players, the Dodgers would send four of their top prospects and an MLB-ready OF. Pages has a .260/.313/.413 slash line over 254 plate appearances. The young OF needs to work on his strikeouts, but Pages is already a contact machine.
Additionally, the Sox could land Jang, Frasso, Martin, and De Paula. Jang, Frasso, and Martin could all have top-of-the-rotation upside while De Paula has Robert-level upside as a guy who can hit .300 and smash 30 homers.
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