Chicago White Sox acquire Yonder Alonso – Manny Machado next?

In a trade with the Cleveland Indians, the Chicago White Sox acquired Yonder Alonso in a trade for minor league outfielder Alex Call.

The Chicago White Sox acquisition of Yonder Alonso was the second of a busy Hot Stove Friday. With plenty of holes to fill and money to burn, the team could be exciting to watch in the coming weeks.

The first question involves Alonso’s brother-in-law, Manny Machado. It was highly unlikely that the Indians would pay Machado’s asking price, but the pair have been rumored to want to work together. With Alonso on the Southside, could Machado be enticed to join the team?

Along with questions about Machado, the other question that arises is what about Jose Abreu? Alonso plays first base and there is no reason for the White Sox to have two power-hitting first basemen. Unless Alonso was brought in to be a designated hitter? The team did release Matt Davidson, who was the DH in 2018.

Bob Nightengale with USAToday reported on the White Sox end of the deal. Alex Call will go to Cleveland. More details will be released on Saturday.

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Alonso played one season with the Indians and hit .250/.317/.421 with 23 home runs and 83 RBI. His 123 strikeouts was a career-high. The Indians paid him $7 million in 2018 and were scheduled to pay him $8 million in 2019. They had a $9 million option with a $1 million buyout for 2020.

Cleveland Hot Stove rumors have been focused on their pitchers. But, in the last few days, the team has traded Alonso, as well as Yandy Diaz and Edwin Encarnacion. They’ve re-signed Carlos Santana, who will most likely take Alonso’s place at first.

Abreu has better hitting stats than Alonso, but Abreu only has one more year with the Sox. His slash in 2018 was an All-Star-worthy .265/.325/.473. Abreu is a few months older than Alonso. Both will be 32 during the 2019 season.

The White Sox had a busy Friday making the trade with the Indians and signing a non-tendered catcher, also from the AL Central. James McCann, a former Detroit Tiger, was signed earlier in the day. The Sox traded Omar Narvaez to the Mariners earlier in the off-season in the trade that added Alex Colome to the bullpen.

The Chicago White Sox also added pitching Ivan Nova in a trade with the Pirates. They still could use one more veteran starter and the rumors about Bryce Harper continue to fly. Stay tuned as the ChiSox are already looking very different from 2019. Exciting things are happening on the Southside.