Which playoff contenders should target the White Sox’s Todd Frazier?

A number of teams in playoff contention in the American League could use the services of White Sox third baseman Todd Frazier.

In a parity-filled American League, one team that should be looking to trade away veterans is the Chicago White Sox. At 32-43, they have the worst record in the AL. They are dead last in the AL Central, eight games behind Cleveland, and 7.5 games out of the second wild card. Now, 7.5 games is not an insurmountable deficit, but the White Sox would have to jump over nine teams to get a playoff spot. As the British might say, that’s not bloody likely.

The White Sox already started the rebuilding process when they traded Chris Sale and Adam Eaton in the offseason. Those deals netted them some great prospects, including Yoan Moncada, Lucas Giolito, Michael Kopech, and Reynaldo Lopez. Another name being dangled in the off-season was starting pitcher Jose Quintana, but the White Sox’ asking price was steep and they didn’t make a deal. Now that Quintana had a career-high 4.69 ERA (4.07 FIP), the White Sox asking price has likely dropped. It looks like they waited too long to deal Quintana. They shouldn’t do the same with a couple of veterans who are still on the roster.

The team’s most expensive veteran is starting pitcher James Shields, but his performance (4.26 ERA, 6.74 FIP) and $21 million salary make him untradeable. Outfielder Melky Cabrera is making $15 million and has been a below-replacement level player so far, so he would be hard to deal. Reliever David Robertson is owed $25 million over the next two years. The White Sox should be calling the Washington Nationals three times a day trying to trade Robertson.

One other veteran player for the Sox is Todd Frazier, making $12 million in his final year before free agency. Frazier had a slow start to the year. He was hitting .184/.300/.368 through the season’s first two months. He’s come around in June, though, with a .266/.366/.544 triple-slash line and six homers in 93 plate appearances. He’s been worth 0.9 Wins Above Replacement (WAR, according to FanGraphs) and is projected to be a 1.4 WAR player going forward.

Frazier could help some teams currently contending for a playoff spot. He seems to have shaken his early-season slump. His strikeout rate is below his career mark and he’s walking more than he ever has in a season. He also still provides good defense at third base.

So which contending teams should be dialing the White Sox’s phone? Here are five potential landing spots for Todd Frazier.