White Sox Rumors: 3 potential trade destinations for Lucas Giolito
The Chicago White Sox are 41-57, chasing the AL Central-leading Minnesota Twins by nine games. The two clubs have a three-game series starting today and ending on Sunday.
If the White Sox don't sweep the series, a "fire sale" on the south side seems like a realistic path to go toward.
Lucas Giolito has been a reoccurring name on the trade market so far. With the trade deadline being on August 1st, it's likely that he is entering his final chapter as a member of the Chicago White Sox.
Here are three possible destinations for Lucas Giolito:
1. Los Angeles Dodgers
How about a hometown reunion? Giolito is a California native and grew up being a Dodgers fan. It's a fit that almost even feels too good to be true.
The Dodgers haven't gotten the starting pitching they thought they would get before the season started (4.40 team ERA) and with Clayton Kershaw on the IL, it's a safe assumption to say that they need all the pitching they can get.
Giolito not only fits in with Kershaw on the injured list but also when he returns. The Dodgers are relying on minor league starters some days and that's not going to work in the long run, especially in the division they play in.
It will likely take the Dodgers three to four prospects in exchange for Giolito and considering the Dodger's farm system is rich in the catching, second basemen, and pitching positions, the two organizations making a trade is realistic.
2. Arizona Diamondbacks
It's likely not only the Dodgers in the NL West that are interested in Giolito. The Diamondbacks are a team that should make a deal with the White Sox for the right-handed starting pitcher.
The Diamondbacks have the seventh-worst team ERA in all of baseball and outside of Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, starting pitching has been a constant issue for their club. They are currently two games out of the NL West lead (behind the Dodgers) but have a wild card spot secured for now.
If the Diamondbacks make the playoffs, opposing teams are going to struggle to face Gallen, Kelly, and Giolito back to back to back games.
The Diamondbacks still have a young core and with some superstar talent prospects in their farm system that they will keep, a match trade-wise may be harder to find for the two organizations but it still remains a possibility.
The Dodgers and Diamondbacks may even get into a bidding war for Giolito as they are both racing to the finish line, hoping for first place in their division.
3. Baltimore Orioles
This is an interesting one but also realistic. The Orioles are currently in first place in the AL East, the best division in all of baseball, while also having starting pitching issues.
The Orioles don't have consistency through their starting rotation and if Giolito gets shipped to Camden Yards, it's likely he would be their ace or game-one starter in a playoff game.
The Orioles have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball but assuming they are wanting to blend their farm with the talent currently on the major league roster, the White Sox will have to consider multiple options to get in return rather than the Oriole's best youngsters.
Colton Cowser and Joey Ortiz are both valuable players that the White Sox are in need of but again, it will ultimately depend on how willing the Orioles are this season.
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