MLB Trade Deadline: The ultimate 30-team trade
7. Chicago White Sox
The Braves are likely to be among the most active teams in baseball leading up to the MLB trade deadline, but the White Sox have made the most moves to date. Just before the second half started, Chicago parted ways with Jose Quintana, sending the lefty to the other side of town for four Cubs minor leaguers, including top prospect Eloy Jimenez. The White Sox followed up with a mega deal that sent Todd Frazier, David Robertson and Tommy Kahnle to New York for Tyler Clippard and prospects.
Of course, the club’s wheeling and dealing began over the winter when the White Sox traded Adam Eaton to Washington and sent Chris Sale to Boston. And we’re not done yet.
If Chicago wants to build the greatest farm system of all-time, the White Sox would gauge interest in first baseman Jose Abreu and All-Star outfielder Avisail Garcia, each of whom would each return multiple prospects. However, the players more likely to leave town are reliever Anthony Swarzak, starter Derek Holland and left fielder Melky Cabrera. All three will be free agents after the season, and all three are likely to bring back one mid-to-low level prospect apiece.
Swarzak began his career with the Twins, and a return makes sense. Since the 31-year-old right-hander joined the White Sox on a minor league free agent deal before spring training, any return would be a bonus. The same would go for Clippard, who would be flipped to Tampa Bay for cash.
As for Cabrera, the 32-year-old switch hitter would help elevate the Royals’ lineup. Holland, far from the pitcher he was with the Rangers earlier in his career, would be a stop-gap fifth starter in Kansas City down the stretch.