Chicago White Sox Trade Peter Bourjos to Tampa Bay Rays
By Jeremy Karll
The Chicago White Sox have reportedly traded outfielder Peter Bourjos to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash.
Late last night, the Chicago White Sox made a trade. No, it wasn’t sending Jose Quintana to a contender for a boat load of prospects, rather outfielder Peter Bourjos is heading to the Tampa Bay Rays for cash considerations, according to MLB.com.
At first glance this might not seem like a huge trade, but it has bigger ramifications on the White Sox lineup than one might expect and gives Tampa Bay a much-needed backup outfielder.
Bourjos will turn 30 on Friday, but he’s been having a very good Spring Training for the White Sox. In 19 games, Bourjos is hitting .313/.340/.521 with three triples and three RBI. He’s also played solid defense in center field.
When Charlie Tilson went down with a foot injury a couple of weeks ago, Bourjos looked like the likely Opening Day starter in center. He’s a veteran who has been in the league for seven seasons, so many expected him to have the upper hand on Chicago’s prospects.
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Instead, the White Sox are expected to now have their former third round pick Jacob May start in center after his impressive spring.
May has certainly earned the job if he does get it. He is hitting .339/.361/.525 with three triples, a home run, and three RBI this spring in 24 games. He is the No. 26 prospect in the White Sox organization, per MLB.com, but has not played a game in the majors just yet.
May has been in the minors since being drafted in 2013 and spent all last season in AAA where he played in 83 games and had 321 plate appearances. He hit .266/.309/.352 with one home run and 24 RBI, while going 19-for-27 in stolen base attempts in 2016.
For Tampa Bay, Bourjos gives them, as previously mentioned, a seasoned veteran. He still has good speed and hit .251/.292/.389, five home runs, 23 RBIs, and stole six bases over 123 games with the Philadelphia Phillies last season.
Tampa Bay will use him primarily as a backup center fielder in Tampa Bay. It’s a good trade in that sense, despite the best days of Bourjos’ career being behind him, and could also mean the end to the Rob Refsnyder rumors circulating Tampa Bay and New York recently.
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Peter Bourjos was simply a body to fill centerfield until Tilson became healthy, so the trade opened up more opportunities for Chicago’s prospects while giving Tampa Bay depth.