Call to the pen
Fansided

Chicago White Sox Trade Deadline Overview

By Benno Martens

Apr 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (23) sits in the dugout before the MLB game against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 24, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox manager Robin Ventura (23) sits in the dugout before the MLB game against the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
3 of 6
Next

Option #2: Go all in for 2016

Jun 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) hits a single in the third inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 1, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Milwaukee Brewers left fielder Ryan Braun (8) hits a single in the third inning during the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Benny Sieu-USA TODAY Sports /

The Shields trade and Hahn’s comments perhaps point to this being more the course the White Sox will follow, regardless of whether or not it’s the most prudent one. The team wants to win now, and with a few big moves believes it can.

Despite Eaton and Cabrera’s solid seasons and Abreu’s turnaround, Chicago needs more offensive punch. The Sox have a -9 run differential nearing the midway point in the season, and there isn’t any immediate aid to be found for the lineup, unless you’re counting veteran Justin Morneau, whom the team signed and is waiting to have come off the disabled list shortly after the all-star break.

Thus, a proven, run-producing bat would appear to be a big need for Chicago, and the likes of Ryan Braun, Jay Bruce, and possibly Carlos Gonzalez should all be available and could slide into right field with an Eaton move to center.

Jonathan Lucroy could also be on the move, and would be a night-and-day improvement over the current catching tandem of Alex Avila and Dioner Navarro. The 30-year old with a team-friendly option for 2017 is currently slashing .299/.358/.496 with 10 home runs and 36 RBIs.

There is also the question of the back end of the starting rotation, as the aforementioned Shields debacle has left the club still in need of help, and the front end of the bullpen, which due to injuries has been stretched exceedingly thin. The Braves and Athletics insist that Julio Teheran and Sonny Gray are not on the block, but either would certainly be an upgrade.

The issue is that any of those players would require a big package of prospects to acquire, and the White Sox system is probably too thin to provide that. Only top prospect Carson Fullmer and newly-drafted Zach Burdi have the kind of wow factor that could get them into the conversation.

But if Hahn decides the club is all in, the loss of two talented young arms is the price Chicago will have to pay.

Next: A stop-gap?

Home/Chicago White Sox