Jose Quintana is obviously getting the bulk of the attention when it comes to trade chatter, due in large part to the prospects he can bring back to the White Sox farm. However, bullpen arms usually fly off the shelves as well, mainly to contenders looking to add a final piece to their respective team. The White Sox have their own version of a Big 3 in their bullpen in David Robertson, Anthony Swarzak, and Tommy Kahnle. While dealing all 3 would bring in a haul of prospects, I think the White Sox will only deal Robertson and Swarzak, giving Kahnle closer duty for the rest of the season.
Tommy Kahnle is still just 27 years old and has 2 1/2 years of control left on his deal. While that sounds like the recipe for a prospect haul, this is really the first full year he has put it all together. While he did post a 2.63 ERA in 29 games last year, his K/9 was a measly 8.23 and posted a 0.0 WAR. This year, Kahnle has gotten even better. His ERA currently sits at 2.45, his K/9 is an absurd 15.27, and already has posted a 1.2 WAR. Talk about your typical All-Star snub. While these numbers are astounding for Kahnle, I think GM’s around baseball are skeptical that this production can keep up, and are therefore afraid to spend big on his services. Which is why I think Chicago will hold onto him until at least the offseason in hopes he can continue to put up stellar numbers. If that is the case, they should be able to get a legitimate return for his services either this winter or next summer at the deadline. Now, onto the trade chips the trade chips the White Sox could/should/probably will sell off.
David Robertson
David Robertson is far and away the most talked about bullpen arm on the market this season. He has come back from two so-so seasons on the South Side to the tune of a 3.00 ERA and a 13.2 K/9 ratio. There will be numerous contenders in need of bullpen help asking for his services.
1) Washington Nationals
This is the obvious choice for Robertson, as the Nationals have blown more saves than any other team in the N.L. While they are essentially a lock for the division title playing in the dreadful N.L. East, things can change quickly in the playoffs. It is shocking that they have not already made a move to boost their closer position, but eventually they will be forced to pull the trigger. Back in Spring Training, the White Sox and Nationals came close to a Robertson deal that would have seen Chicago obtain Washington’s no. 10 and 12 prospects Jesus Luzario, and Drew Ward, with Chicago eating roughly half of Robertson’s salary. The deal eventually got hung up on the money side of things, and that has ended up working out perfectly for the White Sox. With the National’s bullpen problems bigger than expected and Robertson enjoying a very solid year, the price has definitely gone up for his services. While it is probably unlikely the White Sox obtain any of Washington’s top 3 prospects, a deal for their no. 4 Carter Kieboom seems much more doable. Kieboom plays short stop and has a prolific bat which will define his career in the Majors. While his defense is questionable, he still possesses elite instincts and a body that profiles better at third base. Washington gets the closer they so desperately need, and Chicago takes on a 19-year-old that can be their potential future third baseman.
2) New York Yankees
Currently, the Yankees possess a Wild Card spot with Kansas City. However, the Yankees have also blown 16 saves out of 33 opportunities. And that is with Aroldis Champan back in the fold. In what was supposed to be a rebuilding year for New York, they have the option to fix a weakness and go for the A.L. East Division crown. A realistic trade scenario I can see the Yankees and White Sox doing for Robertson would be David Robertson for third base prospect Miguel Andujar. Andujar is the no. 7 3B prospect in baseball, but he does not fall inside the top 100. Combined in Double-A and Triple-A, Andujar has batted .306 and even went 3-4 against the White Sox in his Major League Debut. Andujar’s bat is solid and will come with raw pop, but his biggest tool is his absolute rocket of an arm, which will profile perfectly at the hot corner. Many speculated that the Yankees brought up Andujar so they could showcase him against the White Sox for a potential trade. We’ll see if that’s really the case soon enough. If the Yankees are reluctant to give up Andujar, the White Sox could look to throw in Todd Frazier to sweeten the deal. Third base is another current question mark for New York, and adding a power bat like Frazier’s could get the Yankees to say yes to a deal.
Anthony Swarzak
Anthony Swarzak is seeing a rebirth of his own this season, as he has pitched to the tune of a 2.52 ERA and a 1.4 WAR. After looking over potential destinations for the setup man, I see one place that truly makes perfect sense.
The Minnesota Twins
Before the season began, every expert had the Cleveland Indians winning the A.L. Central in a landslide. The Royals were starting to show their age after a few successful seasons, the Tigers were in limbo, the White Sox were starting their own rebuild, and the Twins just sucked. So much for that. The Minnesota Twins have been right at the front of the Central since the season began, and are currently in perfect position to snag a Wild Card spot with either the surging Royals or surprising Tampa Bay Rays. When the season ends, the A.L. Central could feature 3 playoff teams. While the Twins have blown only 9 saves all year, they are going up against teams with two of the better bullpens in baseball in Cleveland and Kansas City. It definitely cannot hurt to add a legitimate setup man to make a push for a playoff spot. Depending on how desperate Minnesota gets, they can offer no. 78 overall prospect Stephen Gonsalves, a LHP. Gonsalves definitely does not have the electric stuff that the current White Sox pitching prospects boast. His fastball sits in the low 90’s, but pairs it with a devastating changeup that features nasty sink. He can also throw a decent curve, and he is working on developing an average slider as well. For comparisons sake, his stuff is similar to that of Mark Buehrle’s, and his body resembles Gavin Floyd’s. And while his stuff isn’t electric by any means, he has produced a 2.67 ERA across double-A so far this season. While trading within the division would be an interesting play for both sides, it is a win-win scenario, and could help vault the Twins into the playoffs. If that happens, I’m sure there will be no regrets.
While it is impossible to say where players go at the deadline, I feel like all three of these scenarios are realistic options. If that is the case, the White Sox could add two more prospects in the top 100 from their current closer and setup man. Safe to say that fans and the White Sox front office won’t be upset about that.
