MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades White Sox should make
Though the White Sox have already traded many of their top players, expect Chicago to stay active through the MLB trade deadline.
Adam Eaton
Chris Sale
Jose Quintana
Todd Frazier
David Robertson
Tommy Kahnle
After years of mediocrity, the Chicago White Sox rebuild began in the winter, when the club traded Adam Eaton to the Nationals and Chris Sale to the Red Sox. Rumors and speculation swirled around Jose Quintana over the offseason as well, and the lefty was linked to the Astros and Yankees, among others, throughout spring training and the early season. However, Quintana eventually moved across town when the Cubs offered a talented group of prospects to secure a deal after the All-Star Game.
Likewise, Todd Frazier and David Robertson were the focus of a great deal of trade talk throughout the offseason, into spring training, and through the summer. But the pair was finally shipped off to the Bronx, which was an unexpected destination for both since Frazier was long seen as the perfect fit for the Red Sox needs at third base and Robertson pegged as the solution to the closer situation in D.C. Reliever Tommy Kahnle, like Robertson a former Yankee, was also part of the deal.
So what now? Most of Chicago’s best players have new homes, which has unsurprisingly led to the White Sox posting the worst record in the American League this season. Ahead of Sunday’s series finale with the Royals, Chicago has lost eight games in a row and 11 of 12.
However, the club still has a few valuable assets available for contenders. Therefore, we explore five possible moves the White Sox should make before the MLB trade deadline.
5. Trade Tyler Clippard
Tyler Clippard is the newest member of the White Sox bullpen, though his stay in Chicago may not be long. Clippard, part of the return from the Yankees in the deal that sent Frazier, Robertson and Kahnle to New York, is a 32-year-old right-hander in the midst of one of his worst performances as a professional.
New York parted with Clippard after he posted a 4.95 ERA and 4.99 FIP – both his highest since he moved to the bullpen in 2009. As a reliever, Clippard has a 2.91 career ERA and 3.68 FIP dating back to the ’09 season, and he has struck out 10.1 hitters per nine innings out of the bullpen. A two-time All-Star as a setup man, Clippard also has 57 saves in 11 major league seasons, and spent time as a closer with both the Nationals and A’s.
Clippard still has strong strikeout numbers, with 42 strikeouts in 36.1 innings across 41 appearances this season. His 10.4 K/9 this year is on line with his career mark as a reliever, though Clippard has allowed 7.4 hits and 4.9 walks per nine innings this season, both of which would be among the worst of his career.
Given his age, Clippard doesn’t figure to be a long-term part of Chicago’s rebuilding plans. He’s also scheduled to be a free agent after the season, which makes it even more likely he won’t be pitching for the White Sox in 2018. Therefore, it’s reasonable to think Clippard will be flipped for cash or a player to be named later, if not released, before the end of the season. If a contender is at all interested, expect the White Sox to take what they can get.