White Sox trade Adam Eaton to Nationals for Lucas Giolito, more

The White Sox are far from done dealing as they’ve just dealt Adam Eaton to Washington for Lucas Giolito and prospects.

Chris Sale getting sent to the Boston Red Sox yesterday was a good indication that the Chicago White Sox are in rebuild mode. The next big-name player on his way out of Chicago is outfielder Adam Eaton, according to Scott Merkin who first reported the two were close to a trade.

Now that trade has been finalized and the Sox are sending Eaton to the Washington Nationals for their top pitching prospect Lucas Giolito and three pitching prospects. This is a considerable haul for the Sox who robbed the Nats blind.

There has been no shortage of rumors regarding possible trades between these two teams. The Nationals were considered one of the front-runners for Sale before that deal fell through. They have also reportedly been in talks about acquiring lefty Jose Quintana from the Sox. However, this deal with Eaton seems the most likely.

Eaton is coming off a fantastic year with the Sox where he hit .284 and was a Gold Glove finalist. Eaton isn’t the only high-profile center fielder the Nationals have been reportedly interested in. Rumors have flown of them attempting to acquire Pittsburgh Pirates former MVP Andrew McCutchen as well. Eaton would be considered a younger, cheaper and more controllable option as he’s signed by the Sox through 2021 so the McCutchen trade talks will officially cease.

As far as this deal’s impact on the White Sox, it would only continue to support their idea of a full-on rebuild. The team hasn’t been to the playoffs since 2008 and have finally realized that a full tear down is the way to go. Yoan Moncada (MLB.com’s number one ranked prospect) who was acquired in the Sale trade can be considered the centerpiece of that rebuild.

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With Eaton dealt, the Sox could now look to move Quintana, Todd Frazier and Jose Abreu as they continue to remake the roster.