Fansided

MLB Trade Deadline Rumors: 5 trades White Sox should make

By Nicholas Ian Allen

OAKLAND, CA - JULY 05: Avisail Garcia (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA - JULY 05: Avisail Garcia (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
4 of 5
Next
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 05: Melky Cabrera (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
OAKLAND, CA – JULY 05: Melky Cabrera (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

2. Trade Melky Cabrera

Arguably the most likely member of the club to move before the July 31 trade deadline, Melky Cabrera has hit .296/.340/.446 in 91 games for the White Sox this season. The 32-year-old switch-hitter has connected for 13 home runs, putting him in position to set a new career high (Cabrera hit 18 long balls with the Royals in 2011). Cabrera also has 16 doubles and 52 runs scored this season, the final year of a three-year deal he signed with Chicago in 2015.

Several contenders are in need of help at left field. The Nationals rank 28th in the majors in fWAR (0.1) at left field this season, and Washington left fielders have hit .237/.314/.419 with 19 home runs and 51 RBI collectively. The Royals (0.2 fWAR) are just one spot higher in WAR, and Kansas City left fielders have hit .207/.298/.310 with an MLB worst five home runs. The only saving grace for K.C. has been Alex Gordon’s stellar defense in left.

The Indians (0.7 fWAR, No. 24), Red Sox (0.9 fWAR, No. 20), Orioles (0.9 fWAR, No. 20) and Twins (0.9 fWAR, No. 20) all rank in the bottom 10 in production at left field so far this season. Meanwhile, the Royals (-1.4 fWAR) have gotten the least among of production from their designated hitters this season. K.C. DHs have hit .191/.269/.376 with 14 home runs and a 32.9 percent strikeout rate collectively. Those facts likely makes the division rivals the most desperate to add a bat like Cabrera before July 31.

Home/Chicago White Sox