Please, no one show this to Rick Hahn or else it’ll mess up trade negotiations with the Dodgers…again.
No, we won’t stop making fun of Hahn a year later because it’s still ridiculous now as it was then when he blamed Twitter reports for disrupting trade talks with LA last offseason. Anyway, the White Sox still like Joc Pederson and remain interested in trading for the power-hitting outfielder.
Now, we all love to pile on Bob Nightengale, (deservedly so) but if there’s one team he has connections to it’s the White Sox. Here’s the latest from Nightengale, who says the White Sox aren’t just checking in on Pederson, but it appears as though they’re all-in on Zack Wheeler.
Via USA Today.
The Chicago White Sox, believing they can make a playoff push in 2020, are willing to pay a huge price for free agent starter Zack Wheeler, and have engaged in preliminary trade talks with the Los Angeles Dodgers for power-hitting outfielder Joc Pederson, according to two people with direct knowledge of the talks.
First, let’s go over the latest Wheeler buzz.
Ken Rosenthal reported early on Tuesday that Wheeler has already received one contract offer of at least $100 million. At this point, everyone expects Wheeler to get a five year deal worth at least $20 million per year. Jon Heyman and the New York Post are both reporting that Wheeler might sign before the Winter Meetings start next week in San Diego.
Wheeler could even agree to a deal in a few days.
The Twins, Rangers, Blue Jays and Reds are also in on Wheeler, but right now most of the speculation is connecting the free agent pitcher to the White Sox. He’s clearly at the top of their priority list.
The White Sox have already beaten the Reds out for Yasmani Grandal this offseason. The White Sox have also had talks with Cole Hamels, as they attempt to add two starting pitchers to their rotation.
So, the White Sox are very in on Wheeler. Wonder if they’re the team that has already offered him the $100 million? I guess we’ll find out soon enough just how serious they are to get the third best starter in free agency.
And back to Pederson. The left-handed hitter is projected to get $8.5 million for his final arbitration eligible season at 28-years-old in 2020. With just one year left before he hits free agency the White Sox won’t have to give up too much in a trade and they obviously covet him, as they engaged in trade talks for him last winter as well. Pederson can play all three outfield positions, but the White Sox would love to slide him into the lineup as their primary right fielder.
Pederson hit a career high 36 home runs in 2019 with the Dodgers. He doesn’t hit for a high average, but walks enough to have an OK on-base percentage and he obviously hits for power.
Nightengale also reports that the White Sox have had interest in free agent Nick Castellanos. No surprise there. There’s been interest from the White Sox since the start of the offseason.
