It is only early May, yet the trades have already begun. The Marlins shocked the baseball world by trading Luis Arráez to the Padres earlier in the week and will likely stay open for business regarding the other trade assets on their roster. Miami’s “waiving the white flag” could open the door for other bottom-dwelling teams like the White Sox to consider a similar strategy. While it is unlikely that the White Sox will make any trades this soon, it is still worth evaluating who the potential trade deadline chips on the roster could be.
Luis Robert Jr. and Garrett Crochet are the two players with the most trade value on the current MLB roster. However, it seems unlikely that the White Sox will trade them at this year’s trade deadline. They could be trade candidates this offseason or potential building blocks long term.
Even with Robert Jr. and Crochet likely off the table, the White Sox have other trade chips that could draw interest from contending teams.
#5 – John Brebbia
A 33-year-old right-handed reliever, Brebbia signed with the White Sox as a free agent this past offseason. He has dealt with some injury issues thus far but has been effective when on the mound. Brebbia has a 4.00 ERA, 11 strikeouts, and a 1.22 WHIP in nine innings. He also makes just $4 million this season and has a $6 million team option for 2025. While Brebbia is not a closer or even a setup man on a legitimate World Series contender, he is a proven reliever on an affordable contract who should pique the interest of any team looking for stability in their bullpen.
#4 – Tommy Pham
One of the newest additions to the team, Pham has ignited the White Sox since his arrival. The 36-year-old outfielder is hitting .286 with a .753 OPS in 35 at-bats and can play all three outfield positions. Pham’s contract is also team-friendly; he signed for just $3 million plus performance bonuses and has a history of being a standout postseason performer, especially with the Diamondbacks last season. Pham will likely receive interest from contending teams looking to add a bat and improve their outfield situation before the postseason.
#3 – Steven Wilson
Acquired in the Dylan Cease trade with the Padres this spring, Wilson has been a bit up and down so far with the White Sox. Command has been an issue at times, but the 29-year-old Wilson has an ERA of 3.00 in 16 appearances this season while striking out nearly a batter an inning. Wilson is different from Brebbia and Pham in that he has a lot of team control. Wilson will not be a free agent until after the 2027 season, so he could be a long-term piece in the White Sox bullpen. However, the adage is to always sell high on relievers. The White Sox could get a solid haul for 3.5 affordable seasons of his services at the trade deadline should he continue pitching well.
#2 – Michael Kopech
Like Wilson, Kopech has dealt with inconsistency this season and virtually his entire career. The 28-year-old right-hander has appearances where he looks like one of the best pitchers in the sport and others where he can’t throw a strike to save his life. However, his talent and stuff are undeniable, as he has a whopping 13.0 K/9 in 15 appearances this season. He is also under team control for this season and 2025 at an affordable price point. Kopech will be an appealing option for teams looking to shore up the back end of their bullpen, especially if he can continue stringing together clean outings out of the bullpen over the next few months.
#1 – Erick Fedde
Fedde, the best player on the team this season, has been a revelation since returning to MLB after a year in Korea. While he struggled in his last outing, the 31-year-old right-hander has had a solid season overall. He has a 3.46 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and 9.5 K/9 in 39 innings over seven starts, largely thanks to changes in his repertoire that he made recently. Fedde is making just $7.5 million this season and another $7.5 million in 2025, so his contract is also relatively team-friendly. Teams always need more starting pitching, and Fedde could be one of the best starting pitchers on the market.
Continuing The Youth Movement
While the White Sox are not loaded with trade chips this season, they do have several intriguing trade candidates who could be on the move within the next couple of months. The organization has accumulated a fair amount of young talent over the last year or so, and getting more prospects in return for their current chips at the trade deadline will help further accelerate the youth movement and rebuild the team is undergoing.
