White Sox: 5 under-the-radar trade candidates to start scouting
By Tim Boyle
White Sox trade candidate Brad Hand will only stay under the radar for so long
The White Sox bullpen hasn’t been dreadful but it also hasn’t been nearly as good as they were hoping for. The Philadelphia Phillies signed longtime closer Brad Hand this offseason to a one-year deal for the purpose of either winning it all with him in 2022 or trading him at the deadline. It’s looking like the latter will happen with the team spiraling out of control entering June.
Hand has been amazingly effective in his big league career with only one poor stretch. After getting traded from the Washington Nationals to the Toronto Blue Jays last season, Hand ended up getting designated for assignment before the New York Mets picked him up and took a chance on the veteran lefty.
Hand has been good yet wild for the Phillies so far this year. Under different circumstances for them, he would have been an absolute steal of a signing. Instead, it’s looking like a wasted move.
If traded to the White Sox, Hand might become the primary lefty out of the bullpen for them. Only Aaron Bummer has had anything close to a good year for the lefties they have used. Bennett Sousa and Tanner Banks have been ineffective for Tony La Russa’s ball club.
The White Sox should be on the prowl for a lefty reliever. Hand, with a vast wealth of experience pitching late in games, should be at or near the top of their list.