While the White Sox have been fun to watch so far this season, everyone knows they are still at least a year away from being a truly legitimate contender. Currently they are in the thick of the wild card race as they are just 2 games out of the second spot. Trading away their most valuable asset in Colome would essentially signal them throwing in the towel for 2019. For this reason, I don’t think they will end up trading their closer unless a contender gets desperate and completely floors them with an offer they cannot refuse.
With only one actual trade deadline this year, it wouldn’t be surprising to see contenders overpay for bullpen help, especially for one who has been as dominant as Colome. The veteran closer is a perfect 12/12 in save opportunities, has a 22/5 K/BB ratio, and has a 1.52 ERA in 24 appearances in 2019. Furthermore, he won’t be just a rental as he still has 1 more year of arbitration in 2020. If he is traded, whichever team pays for his services will get him for a year and a half. So with all of that being said, let’s look at some teams who would make sense for the 30 year old closer.
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers are a legitimate World Series contender but currently have the 20th worst bullpen ERA in all of baseball. After coming close to winning it all the past 2 years, they could be a team that overpays for Colome. They have 3 top 100 prospects: Keibert Ruiz (catcher, 32 overall), Gavin Lux (ss/2b 43 overall), and Dustin May (RHP, 61 overall). The Sox are set at ss/2b with Tim Anderson and Nick Madrigal on the way, so maybe they could pluck Ruiz or May from the Dodgers. Both have ETA’s of 2020.
Chicago Cubs
The Cubs are another team right in the middle of their contending window. If you turn on Chicago sports radio, everyone is saying how great of a fit Colome would be on the North Side. The Cubs get a legitimate closer for the first time since Wade Davis, and the Sox get a solid prospect or two. Theo Epstein has shown that he is not afraid to trade away future talent for top end bullpen help (see Gleyber Torres for Aroldis Champan back in 2016). Names to keep an eye on for a potential return for the Sox are Nico Horener, Miguel Amaya, and Brailyn Marquez.
Atlanta Braves
The N.L. East looks like it’s going to be a 2-team race between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. The latter of which has a bullpen ERA of 4.41, yet are just a half game behind Philly for the division lead. Atlanta’s farm is a prospect gold mine with 6 top 100 prospects. The young team got some valuable postseason experience last year and could be primed to make a deep run with the right moves. Any of their top prospects are probably off the table, but a good target for the Sox could be Atlanta’s no. 6 prospect Drew Waters (65 overall). The switch hitting outfielder has 60 grade speed, fielding, and arm tools, and currently projects to have an average hit and power tool. Chicago could use a defensive outfielder to pair with Eloy Jimenez and eventually Luis Robert. And with the versatility to play all 3 spots, that just adds to Waters’ value.
There’s a very good chance that Alex Colome doesn’t get moved at all. After all, he could easily be the closer for the 2020 team that is expected to contend. On the flip side, it may be smarter to trade him while his value is at its highest. Making the playoffs with Colome would be amazing, but getting a legitimate prospect to help for years down the line could pay much bigger dividends. But know this: The White Sox won’t trade him away unless that are absolutely blown away by an offer. The next 2 months leading up to the July 31st trade deadline are sure to be exciting. Once Craig Kimbrel signs with a team, Colome’s market will grow exponentially. That’s when the fun really begins.
