The White Sox could find themselves as big time sellers this year's trade deadline with these five players headlining their list of tradable players.
There are few teams in the MLB that have imploded and had a worse season than that of the Chicago White Sox. They're currently 32-44 and 3-7 in their last ten games, leaving them six games back in the AL Central. Despite being in the worst division in baseball, they still seem to be out of the picture for the most part.
This horrible first half of the season could result in them completely blowing their roster up and starting a much needed rebuild in Chicago. The White Sox roster consists of a ton of players that are only signed for another year or two, making it crucial the White Sox get some value for these players before they lose them.
White Sox: Lucas Giolito might be a rental for a contender this season
Lucas Giolito is very likely to find a new home in the next month. Starting pitching is one of the hottest commodities during any season's trade deadline. Pitching can make or break championships and a team's success down the stretch of the season. There isn't a better place to start than with a player like Giolito.
Giolito would be a rental player for the team acquiring him as he becomes a free agent after the 2023 season. This makes him an interesting option for multiple reasons. For the White Sox, it makes him an interesting option because they would like to receive some sort of compensation for losing him, rather than just letting him walk in free agency. For the team acquiring him, they would accept that he is just a rental as it lowers his value a bit, making him easier to acquire.
This season, Giolito has been a serviceable starter for Chicago. He's thrown to a 1.2 WHIP and a 3.54 ERA, both a bit better than his career numbers. The White Sox pitcher has shown tremendous consistency this year, only getting hit hard and allowing more than 5 runs in one game. Giolito would be a great fit for teams that need a starter, like the Blue Jays, Astros or Reds.
White Sox: Keynan Middleton could find a new home before the trade deadline
Every contending team will at least be asking around about acquiring additional bullpen arms. Even the teams with the best bullpens can make their bullpen more complete or diverse. A complete bullpen can be the difference between a team that goes far in the playoffs and a team that throws games away with struggling relief pitchers.
There are few relief pitchers on the market that are going to be as reliable and consistent as the White Sox Keynan Middleton. Middleton is a 29-year-old reliever who is in the middle of his prime and has one year left on his contract. These details become enticing for contending teams to acquire the pitcher, while it becomes equally as enticing for the White Sox to deal him. He adds almost no value to the current state of the White Sox. He is a quality pitcher, but he, individually, won't be able to turn their franchise around in a few months.
A few teams that are in need of relief pitching are the Reds, Astros, Yankees, and Dodgers. The White Sox will be able to add a prospect or two to their farm system from one of these teams and Middleton will be able to be shipped somewhere where he can make an impact towards a World Series.
White Sox: Mike Clevinger might not be in Chicago after the deadline
Right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger has only spent 12 starts in the windy city, but he has been serviceable for the White Sox the entire time. Clevinger hasn't been a world beater for the White Sox, but he has been good enough to draw significant attention from contending teams that could use a veteran starter for the backend of their rotation.
And that is exactly what Clevinger brings to the table for a team like the Blue Jays. He would fill the role as their third, fourth or fifth starter and give them a consistency at the back of their rotation that they won't find in other unproven guys. Clevinger has dealt to a sub 4 ERA on the season, and he has multiple seasons in his career with an ERA below 3.
A pitcher like Mike Clevinger could be the difference between a World Series and falling just short because of lack of pitching depth. Clevinger has one year of team control left and then a mutual option at the end of the season. But for now, Clevinger resides on the injured list. Potential suitors won't let this stop them from acquiring him when healthy, as the bicep injury is good news for him, meaning his shoulder and elbow are alright.
Yasmani Grandal could see himself traded from the White Sox this season
Yasmani Grandal finds himself as the only position player on this list. Grandal is one of the best offensive catchers in the entire MLB, currently slashing .262/.318/.391 for the season, with an OPS above .700 for the first time since 2021. In that 2021 season, Grandal walked more than he struck out and held an OBP over .400. His plate discipline and barrel control are both ridiculously advanced for a catcher.
Grandal's 11 doubles and 53 hits both rank in the top 10 for catchers in the MLB. He would be an upgrade for a ton of teams at starting catcher, while providing the ability to split time and work as a hitter strictly in the lineup against right-handed pitching. He hits 80 points higher against righties, making him a possibility to split time as a platoon option with another catcher on a contending team.
Plenty of teams, including the Marlins, could use catching help and catching depth. Catcher is a position where it is nearly impossible to find offensive production and depth. Grandal provides the perfect mix of production and experience that many contenders salivate over. Don't be surprised if he is dealt before the trade deadline for a team searching for catching help. He has the talent to boost a team over the top.
Liam Hendriks could find himself traded from the White Sox
There isn't a more heartwarming story in all of sports in 2023 than Liam Hendriks' triumphant return from defeating cancer this year. Even with how heartwarming and incredible that story is, you have to remember that baseball is a business to the GMs of the game. Thus, with Liam Hendriks having the remainder of this season and next season under team control, he could be dealt to a bullpen lacking contender.
This season, Hendriks hasn't completely gotten his feet underneath him. He's only registered five innings after his return to the team before landing on the IL with an elbow injury. The first step in a Hendriks trade will be the former All-Star getting healthy and showing potential suitors that he is still as talented as ever. Hendriks has spent the last four seasons either as an All-Star or receiving Cy Young votes.
Bullpen help is crucial to every team that is acquiring at the trade deadline. Most contending teams already have a decent closer, but that doesn't mean they can't acquire Hendriks and shift him or the rest of the bullpen around to fit better. The Los Angeles Dodgers are in dire need of a lockdown bullpen arm and they are no strangers to acquiring multiple pitchers with the "closer" title attached.
