White Sox: If Chicago becomes sellers, these 5 players could be on the trade block
The Chicago White Sox are a very bad team. They have been a little bit better lately which is nice but it doesn't erase the ten-game losing streak that has them in a hole.
The summer will certainly go by fast which means that the White Sox better pick it up soon otherwise they are going to be sellers at the deadline.
It is never fun to see your team go through that but it could be the harsh reality for the White Sox by the time mid-July rolls around.
There are plenty of good players on the White Sox right now that would get attention if they were on the trade block. These five players are the ones that would be the most likely to be shipped off:
1. Lucas Giolito
Lucas Giolito is going to be on the trade block if the White Sox are sellers.
Lucas Giolito has been an incredible player for the White Sox for most of his career despite what you may hear about him.
Once he broke out in 2019, he has been nothing short of a great pitcher outside of one year. 2022 soured a lot of people on him but that was one bad year.
He is proving so far in 2023 that he is back to pitching very well. If the White Sox are sellers at the deadline, Giolito might be the hottest name on the market from their team.
Giolito would create some great depth in an already elite rotation around the league. There are a lot of teams that would love to add an arm like his if he is pitching to his capabilities.
It is unlikely that he will be playing for the White Sox beyond this year unless there is a miracle run for them so they might as well get something good for him.
2. Liam Hendriks
Liam Hendriks could be traded if he comes back and pitches well.
The Chicago White Sox have had some really good moments with Liam Hendriks so far in his tenure with the team as the closer.
Over the off-season, Hendriks learned that he had cancer and needed to undergo treatment in order to get better. He did so and is currently working to come back.
He has been pitching with AAA Charlotte to get into form. He isn't coming back to a White Sox team that is in contention so it shouldn't be a surprise if they move him to a team that is if that is what he wants.
Hendriks can bring a lot to a team that is competing for a World Series championship. It is very difficult to lock down that ninth inning with a lead and he is a guy that can do so.
3. Eloy Jimenez
Eloy Jimenez has a big bat that a contender might want to add.
Eloy Jimenez is one of the best hitters on the Chicago White Sox but he is always hurt. Right now, he isn't out because of a baseball-related issue but he had to have an Appendectomy.
He is going to be out for 4-6 weeks as he recovers from this. He will be back with plenty of time ahead of the trade deadline so the White Sox can make some decisions.
It is hard to trade a guy as gifted as Jimenez but a good return should make it considerable for the White Sox as he is hardly ever available to help them win anyway.
There are a lot of teams in the league deep enough to take a chance on a player like this. If the White Sox are offered a fantastic package for him, they shouldn't hesitate.
4. Lance Lynn
Lance Lynn might be someone that other teams in the league consider.
The Chicago White Sox have had some great moments with Lance Lynn since acquiring him. Although this season hasn't gone as well so far, he has still been mostly good for them.
In year one with the team, he was a Cy Young candidate which is always good to see. In fact, he came in third so you know he was just genuinely elite. Not bad for a guy acquired in a one-for-one deal that only included Dane Dunning.
Lance is a guy that pitches with an attitude so when he is on, it rubs off on the rest of the team. The White Sox might not get much for him in a trade but it is worth a shot to try and get something.
A team like the Tampa Bay Rays would believe that they can get Lynn back to form so they might even be willing to do it as soon as possible. It is certainly something to explore for Rick Hahn while he still has his job.
5. Joe Kelly
Joe Kelly is actually someone that teams might actually go for.
Joe Kelly wasn't all that impressive with the White Sox in 2022 which was his first year with the team. He was either hurt or inconsistent all year long.
Now, here in 2023, he has looked a little bit more like himself. He is a guy that has won a World Series in both the American League and National League so the right pedigree is clearly there.
The White Sox spend a lot of money on their bullpen so moving him out might be a good idea if they are sellers. They can use that money to instead fix some of the issues that are going on with the rest of the roster.
As they retool this thing again, we can only hope that they are smart about where they spend the little money that they do have. Moving some of these guys might help them regrow their farm system in addition to freeing up some of that cash.
Next. The 15 worst contracts in Chicago White Sox history. dark