MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades White Sox should make
4. Trade Derek Holland
The White Sox starting rotation has struggled this season. Entering Sunday, the White Sox ranked 29th in the majors and worst in the AL in Wins Above Replacement (1.5 fWAR) for starters. The Chicago starting rotation has posted a 5.00 ERA (the fourth worst in baseball) and 5.48 FIP (second worst) this season, and those numbers include the 18 starts Quintana made before the Cubs acquired him.
Help is on the way with prospects Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez and Carson Fulmer – all Top 100 prospects according to MLB.com – pitching at Double-A or higher right now. We are likely to see at least three of the four on the south side in September.
In order to clear room for the prospects in the rotation, the White Sox must move on from veteran starters like Miguel Gonzalez, Mike Pelfrey, Jame Shields and Derek Holland, all of whom are at least 30 years old. Holland is likely to receive the most interest from other clubs.
In 18 starts this season, Holland has a 5.09 ERA and 5.68 FIP – neither of which is likely to excite potential trade partners. Control has been an issue, and Holland has walked 3.6 hitters per nine innings. He has also allowed 9.9 hits per nine innings, his highest since 2010 and 2009, respectively. However, because Holland is pitching on a one-year, $1.5 million contract, the 30-year-old lefty would provide affordable rotation depth for a contender in need. Also, Holland has 81 strikeouts in 97.1 innings, giving him 7.5 strikeouts per nine innings, his best since 2013.