The White Sox are likely to make plenty of moves as the trade deadline gets closer, as almost half the team could be traded. With the noted interest from teams in Garrett Crochet, Luis Robert, Tommy Pham, Andrew Vaughn, and many others, this is shaping up to be a crazy deadline for the White Sox. Here are the predictions for where all of these players will be on August 1st:
Barring anything shocking, we can assume that younger players like Drew Thorpe, Jonathan Cannon, Korey Lee, etc., are not going anywhere, as they have shown the potential to be building blocks for the future.
Pitchers
Garrett Crochet: It seems that it is a forgone conclusion that Crochet is traded, as the Hagen Smith draft pick seems to put the nail in the coffin. Every team in the majors could use Crochet, but I think the Los Angeles Dodgers get the job done.
Dodgers Receive: Garrett Crochet
White Sox Receive: Outfielder Josue De Paula(MLB#62), Outfielder Andy Pages, Pitcher River Ryan(LAD #4), Catcher Diego Cartaya (LAD #7).
Erick Fedde: With the reported interest from the Cardinals, it seems that they could be the current frontrunner. While plenty of teams could use one of the best pitchers in the AL, the Cardinals have some good prospects to offer.
Cardinals Recieve: Erick Fedde
White Sox Receive: LHP Quinn Mathews (MLB #97), Outfielder Chase Davis (STL #6).
Chris Flexen: While there isn’t much noise around a Chris Flexen trade, he is extremely likely to be moved, as he is an impending free agent. I think the Diamondbacks could be a sneaky trade destination, as they have a few pitchers on the IL.
Diamondbacks Receive: Chris Flexen
White Sox Recieve: Outfielder Jorge Barrosa, (AZ#12)
Michael Kopech: There is a lot of buzz about the Yankees being interested in Kopech and I think they can get the deal done. He may not be having the best year, but the extra year of control helps his value.
Yankees Receive: Michael Kopech
White Sox Receive: Outfielder Everson Pereira, (NYY #5).
John Briebba: Almost every team in the playoff chase could use a reliever, as that is very important come playoff time. I could see the Astros going back to back deadlines with the White Sox in a trade for a reliever.
Astros Receive: John Briebba
White Sox Receive: Infielder Shay Whitcomb, (HOU #29).
Infielders
Andrew Vaughn: It is more likely than not Vaughn remains on the team after the trade deadline, but a team could pry him away from the Sox. I could see a team like the Pirates making a move for him, as they could use some hitting to go along with their young rotation and Vaughn is a move for more than just 2024.
Pirates Receive: Andrew Vaughn.
White Sox Receive: Pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, (MLB #100), Outfielder Jase Bowen, (PIT #18).
Paul DeJong: With the recent injuries in Atlanta, Paul DeJong seems like an obvious fit for them. The Braves love to make these under the radar moves, so this is something that could realistically happen.
Braves Receive: Paul DeJong
White Sox Receive: LHP Luis De Avila (ATL #19).
Nicky Lopez and Gavin Sheets could be traded and it wouldn’t surprise me, but it is more likely than not that they are on the White Sox come August 1st.
Outfielders
Luis Robert Jr.: It is going to take an absolute haul to get the White Sox to move Robert, and it seems likely that he remains on the team after the trade deadline. However, the Phillies have the pieces to acquire Robert and they are in the thick of a playoff run, so they could pull the trigger.
Phillies Receive: Luis Robert Jr.
White Sox Receive: LHP Andrew Painter(MLB #19), Outfielder Justin Crawford(MLB #54), RHP Griff McGarry(PHI#10).
Tommy Pham: Pham may be the only player to be traded within the division, as the Royals have reported interest. I think they get the job done, as they have had interest for a while now.
Royals Receive: Tommy Pham
White Sox Receive: Second Basemen Javier Vaz(KC #14).
Eloy Jimenez: While the return for Eloy may not be what the White Sox hope for, I could see a team taking a chance on him, as he could get hot for a playoff push. The Mariners need bats so they might be intrigued by Eloy.
Mariners Receive: Eloy Jimenez
White Sox Receive: Outfielder Jonatan Close(SEA #10).
I am not sure if a team is planning on taking a chance on Andrew Benintendi, and even if they did, there is no way that anyone would be able to predict the return, as he is owed a lot of money over the next three years.
This would be an extremely productive trade deadline and it would give the White Sox one of, if not the best farm systems in the major leagues, as they would add five top 100 prospects and a bunch of interesting prospects.
