2 top trade targets for White Sox to replace Yasmani Grandal
By John Buhler
The Chicago White Sox should target these two catchers to offset Yasmani Grandal’s injury.
With an American League pennant for the taking, the Chicago White Sox cannot mess around with catcher Yasmani Grandal out due to injury.
This year’s squad has the chance to be the best team on the South Side since the White Sox won the World Series back in 2005. They are running away with it in the AL Central and are fighting for postseason positioning at this point. While it is not World Series or bust, anything short of an ALCS appearance would be a massive disappointment for this contender. They have to make a move.
Here are two catchers the White Sox could target to replace Grandal as their starting backstop.
Chicago White Sox: 2 replacements for Yasmani Grandal at the trade deadline
9. Chicago Cubs. 2. player. C. Willson Contreras. Scouting Report. Pick Analysis
Willson Contreras could become available in the Chicago Cubs’ fire sale
With the Chicago Cubs expected to be sellers at the trade deadline, many of their star players could become available later this month. Chicago is heading towards an inevitable rebuild anyway this offseason, so it would serve the Cubs to see what they can get for some of their best assets. One player who could be heading across town to the White Sox is catcher Willson Contreras.
This is Contreras’ sixth big league season. He is a two-time All-Star behind the plate. Contreras is under contract through next season, but is arbitration eligible this winter. He will be entering his age-30 season out of Venezuela next year. While Chicago may only be looking at a short-term solution behind the plate, Contreras could be one of the best catchers potentially going to market.
On the year, Contreras is slashing .231/.345/.422 on the season in 79 games for the Cubs. He has 13 home runs and 31 runs batted in this season. In short, Contreras would provide the offensive firepower the White Sox will be lacking in Grandal’s extended absence. Trading for him may cost the White Sox a top prospect or two, but you cannot put a price on playing for a World Series title.
Had Grandal been on a one-year deal, Contreras would be the ideal trade target for the White Sox.