White Sox: 5 insane trade packages with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Visiting the Dodgers brings up an unconscious feeling of being left out. There is a team that is a model example of how an organization should run and the White Sox are not even close.
They have consistent, dependable scouting led by insightful, forward-thinking coaches and development. Along with the ability and follow through of breaking the bank now and then to get the star.
The White Sox are far from Dodger status. They are a consistently successful organization, so why not make a trade partner out of them?
The Dodgers have one of the best offensive lineups in the league. Players one through nine can get the job done and have proved it. The best teams, though, are continuously upgrading, and there's room for the second-place Dodgers to grow.
Some positions of concern for LA include the middle infield, specifically the shortstop. Their production from the middle infield is lacking, so Mookie Betts learned shortstop to allow the hot outfield bats in the lineup.
At the same time, Betts's ability to play short opens an outfield position if he moves permanently. Since there's no such thing as too much pitching, teams are always looking for arms.
As long as the AL Central will be winnable, it's unlikely the White Sox take the risk and trade a player or two from the core to kickstart this retooling.
The front office has explained they view themselves as buyers, not sellers this deadline. In order to fix the window of contention, buying would be a mistake. Considering these trade packages with a proven successful franchise is the better idea:
Tim Anderson for Jorbit Vivas and Yeiner Fernandez
The Chicago White Sox and Los Angeles Dodgers make sense here.
As much as it would hurt to see Tim suit up for a different team, the time might have come to say goodbye. His body language sometimes suggests not wanting to be here and it might be good for the White Sox to find a new leadoff hitter.
Anderson has had a down year and his lack of a home run is salt in the wound. His ability to string together an impressive amount of hits, to go 3-4, 4-5 regularly is a great selling point. He just hasn't been able to this year yet.
With career lows in nearly every offensive category so far this season, it might take some convincing to put together an equal package to Anderson's true ability. However, his marketability and reputation might dampen the effects of his slow start.
Ranked 17th in the organization, Vivas is a quick-handed, 22-year-old lefty. Signed in 2017, the Dodgers were impressed with his quick hands and bat-to-ball skills.
However, considering his fringy arm strength, he is expected to man second base regularly. At Double-A Tulsa, Vivas is slashing .301/.406/.466 with a .872 OPS in 59 games.
Two years ago, at age 18, number 14 ranked prospect Yeiner Fernandez was turning heads as he slashed .355/.414/.488 in Single-A ball.
He has received high praise for his athleticism behind the plate and impressive blocking skills. His quick feet and fast release time, despite having less than average arm strength at this point.
Not labeled as a power backstop, Fernandez has driven the ball more since 2021. With only three home runs that season, he smacked ten in 2022 and already hit four this year.
Tim Anderson, Michael Kopech for Dalton Rushing, and Jorbit Vivas
The Chicago White Sox could move a lot to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
To entice the Dodgers to give up a higher-ranked prospect, the White Sox must part with something valuable themselves.
The Michael Kopech experience has been an interesting one. A rollercoaster ride of ups and downs throughout his short career has caused many Sox fans to give up on him.
In 73 innings pitched this season, Kopech has a 4.03 ERA allowing 54 hits and 33 earned runs, walking 33 but striking out 85. His 15 home runs given up are tough, but he's been turning it around lately.
In his last six starts, 36 innings, he's recorded a 2.00 ERA opponent OPS of .475 with 49 K's with just 11 walks. If the White Sox want to move on from Kopech, now's the time.
Dalton Rushing is ranked seventh in the organization and has a powerful bat for a 22-year-old. The lefty out of Louisville was drafted 40th overall in 2022 after his 23-home-run junior year.
His ability to work deep into counts and draw walks has impressed many. With his heavy bat, he has well above-average bat speed and can drive the ball all over the field.
It might be a long shot to add and receive Vivas to this trade based on the values of the players involved in it.
Luis Robert and Gregory Santos for Diego Cartaya, Jonny Deluca, and Maddux Bruns
Some trades would hurt Chicago White Sox fans a lot if they were made.
If the White Sox were realistically to get the best overhaul from any team, Luis Robert Jr. would be involved in the trade. He's the only guy on the roster other teams actually want.
Robert Jr. can live up to his branding as an All-Star center fielder. He still has the same raw tools to be a great player but is not a leader. In the White Sox clubhouse, he has to be the leader, which puts some pressure on him.
He's wildly inconsistent. Similar to Anderson, Robert Jr's body language indicates he'd rather be elsewhere. For Robert Jr. to be the player his ceiling says he can be, he needs to be in a support role rather than leadership.
The haul Robert Jr. would create addresses a few weak points in the roster.
In return, the White Sox could get number 1 Dodgers prospect catcher Diego Cartaya, number 15 ranked prospect LHP Maddux Bruns, and number 20 prospect outfielder Johnny Deluca.
The headliner return is the 12th ranked prospect in all of baseball, best catching prospect Diego Cartaya. Built like a young Salvador Perez, Cartaya has the strength to live up to the comparison.
His defense could be more polished. However, his plus arm strength, game-calling, and leadership skills set him apart. The White Sox could use a player leader.
The White Sox desperately needs pitching depth, and Maddux Bruns alleviates that struggle. The 20-year-old Southpaw was drafted 29th overall in 2021.
He has three pitches for scouts grade 60 on the 20-80 scale: his fastball, curveball, and slider. Control has been a point of concern. However, his walk rate has dropped from 9.14% in 2022 to 5.57% this season.
Once a standout sprinter in high school, Jonny Deluca utilizes his speed in the outfield and basepaths. In the Dodgers organization, Deluca developed more power than initially scouted.
The weakest point in his game would have to be his defense but his above-average arm allows him to play all three outfield positions.
Luis Robert Jr. and Lance Lynn for Andy Pages Gavin Lux and Ryan Pepiot
The Chicago White Sox can really get creative with certain trades.
Luis Robert Jr. will be headlining this trade for the same reasons as the previous slide. His trade value is high enough for the White Sox to address multiple weak points. Why not take advantage of good Dodger scouting and development?
As far as Lance Lynn goes, he's washed. The best outcome the White Sox can get out of Lynn would be to trade him and get something out of him before the end of this season.
The hope is that Lynn catches fire for a few weeks so Rick Hahn can do some scamming by including Lynn. When considering a trade that involves a player like Robert Jr., it is imperative to address multiple weak points: an outfielder, a second baseman, and a pitcher.
A package hitting those three requirements includes outfielder Andy Pages, second baseman Gavin Lux, and RHP Ryan Pepiot.
Andy Pages is a strong righty with plus-plus arm strength and the ability to take walks, ranked sixth in the Dodgers system. In 33 games for Double-A Tulsa, Pages recorded a .925 OPS with 25 RBIs earning him a promotion to Triple-A Oklahoma City.
Ryan Pepiot is ranked fifth with a big fastball clocking in at 94-96 with an 86-88 mph changeup just as polished and a slider not too far behind.
Gavin Lux, who can also play left field, is a player Dodger fans gave up on. At 24 years old, there's plenty of time for him to break out, and a change of scenery could do it. Lux is slashing .276/.346/.399 with six home runs, seven triples, and an OPS at .745.
Luis Robert Jr. and Michael Kopech for James Outman, Michael Busch, Gavin Stone
The Chicago White Sox need to make a big move for the future.
In addition to Robert Jr's 52.2 value, Kopech adds even more to the package. The return the White Sox could potentially get from this package might do the best in addressing three areas of concern.
In return, the White Sox would receive 3rd ranked Dodger prospect 2B/outfielder Michael Busch, outfielder Josh Outman, and fourth-ranked Dodger prospect RHP Gavin Stone.
Busch offers left-handed pop out of the second base position. Regarded as one of the top offensive players in the 2019 draft, the Dodgers drafted him at pick 31.
He swiftly progressed through the minor leagues and excelled at each stage of his promotions. He has a patient approach that the White Sox need to adopt.
In April, James Outman slashed .292/.376/.615 with a .991 OPS and seven home runs in 29 games. Since, however, he's fallen to earth, slashing .227/.323/.439 with a .763 OPS. His recent show of typical rookie struggles could be enough to convince the Dodgers.
Despite winning the hearts of Dodger fans in the first month of the season, Luis Robert Jr. popping off won't give them much to miss. Outman isn't playing every day in the Dodger lineup. He'll get his at-bats in Chicago.
If anyone in the Dodger farm system could replace Kopech, 24-year-old righty Gavin Stone might have the best chance. He doesn't have the big fastball like Kopech but still sits at 94-96. Combined with his best pitch, his scout-graded 70 changeups, he makes hitters uncomfortable in the box.
Stone got tossed around in 10 innings for the Dodgers in 2023, allowing 23 hits with his 14.4 ERA. However, he faced the Rays, Braves, and Phillies lineups in those three starts.
Next. The 15 worst contracts in Chicago White Sox history. dark