The White Sox were mainly silent during the trade deadline, much to the chagrin of White Sox fans. Rick Hahn had a chance to bolster the roster during the team’s contending window but instead, stoop pat.
The only move he made was to add left-handed reliever Jake Diekman from the Boston Red Sox. The trade did little to move the needle. While Diekman owns an impressive strikeout rate, he also posted the worst walk rate in baseball before the trade deadline.
Diekman was brought in to provide Tony La Russa a left-handed option in the late innings. He has been a disappointment to this point. In 12 games on the South Side, Diekman has posted an 0-2 record with a 5.40 ERA.
Diekman is under contract for next season but if he does not turn things around the White Sox can decline their club option and buy him out for $1 million in 2024.
In return for Diekman, the White Sox traded away backup catcher Reese McGuire, a player to be named later, and cash. On August 30th, a player was finally named.
The White Sox announced Wednesday that they sent Taylor Broadway to the Red Sox. Broadway is a 25-year-old right-handed relief pitcher that has spent the season in Double-A Birmingham.
He’s posted a 4.74 ERA this season but owns a 33.9% strikeout rate and a solid 6.4 walk rate. Broadway was a former closer at Ole Miss and was selected by the White Sox in the sixth round of the 2021 MLB draft. He will now report to Double-A Portland.
The move officially completed the Diekman trade. Thus far, it looks like the Red Sox have gotten the better end of the deal. While Diekman is racking up the walks, McGuire is hitting well in his new home. He is slashing .396/.412/.500 through 16 games.
