White Sox: 3 bold predictions for the MLB trade deadline
The Chicago White Sox are a bad baseball team. They are not going to the playoffs for the second year in a row which is incredibly disappointing.
As a result of that being so apparent in July, they are likely going to be sellers at the trade deadline. It is unfortunate that this is the case for this team following what was a very promising rebuild.
There are plenty of rumors that are surrounding every team in the league right now as they prepare for the August 1st deadline.
These are three bold predictions about what the White Sox are going to do at the deadline:
1. Lucas Giolito stays put
It might be smarter for the Chicago White Sox to keep Lucas Giolito.
The Chicago White Sox would be smarter to keep Lucas Giolito. He is an excellent starter that they can have pitching for them for a long time if they find a way to get him extended.
Giolito came into this season as a big question mark. He was a great pitcher in 2019, 2020, and 2021 but was awful in 2022.
Now, after watching him pitch well here in 2023, it is clear that the bad year in 2022 was an outlier. Trading him right now might be a mistake for the White Sox.
Would they actually get the proper value for him? The answer is probably not which is why they may just keep him.
Don't even be slightly surprised if he is still with the Chicago White Sox by the time the trade deadline comes and goes. Having him with the team is better than not having him.
They also just need people to make starts too. Hopefully, whatever they actually decide helps the team.
2. The White Sox and Orioles will make a trade
The Chicago White Sox and Baltimore Orioles are good trade partners.
The Chicago White Sox are sellers. There are lots of buyers around the league but the White Sox could only help a few of them.
You'd think that they are more likely to make trades with National League teams but there is one American League team that they might consider making a deal with.
That team is the Baltimore Orioles. The White Sox have a few things that the O's could use now that they are a legitimate contender.
As of right now, the Orioles are in the mix for the AL East Division title. If they were to add a few pieces at the deadline, it might really help them.
Whether it is a guy like Lance Lynn, Gavin Sheets (a Baltimore native), or any of the bullpen arms, the White Sox and O's could absolutely come together for a trade.
3. A team in the AL Central will make a huge splash
The Chicago White Sox may see a division rival make a big splash.
The Chicago White Sox are probably going to end up coming in fourth place. They won't finish behind the Kansas City Royals who are somehow way worse but the Cleveland Guardians, Minnesota Twins, and Detroit Tigers will likely finish ahead of them.
It will probably come down to the Guardians and Twins for the crown of the division and a right to play in the playoffs.
As of right now, neither team is good enough to take advantage of their playoff berth but they could make a splash.
A good prediction is that one of them will make a big splash. Out of the two, the Twins are the most likely to do something like that.
There may be some big names available for trades. Guys like Marcus Stroman, Cody Bellinger, Juan Soto, Josh Hader, and Blake Snell amongst others are all out there to be had for the right price.
One of these teams would be smart to take a chance and go for it. There is no reason for them not to at this point. You never know what happens then once you are in the playoffs. It is a shame that the White Sox are not the team we think about when it comes to these huge moves.