The White Sox, part 1
The South Siders managed to lead the AL Central despite a conspicuous hole at second base. They opted to fill it by trading for Indians regular Cesar Hernandez.
In Cleveland, Hernandez had been a .230s stick with some power. In Chicago, he was a .230s stick with little power.
The Sox did win the AL Central before losing the division series to Houston in four games. Hernandez did nothing notable but he did play his role, producing two hits in seven postseason at-bats.
His contract having expired at season’s end, Hernandez signed for one season in Washington, where he continues as a run-of-the-mill, no-power middle infielder.
The cost to get Hernandez for those two months plus postseason was minor league pitcher Konnor Pilkington. He made his major league debut for the Guardians this April, but has spent most of the season on the Columbus-Cleveland shuttle.
He’s back in Columbus now, laboring as part of the Clippers’ rotation and carrying a 5.40 ERA in a half-dozen starts. The hope is for what would be a sixth call-up this season, and maybe a permanent one.
Verdict: The White Sox got a fill-in they didn’t need and lost a minor leaguer who has to date shown marginal major league potential. No winners here to date.