MLB Rumors: White Sox fire sale on hold, Braves problem fixed, deGrom replacements

MLB Rumors: White Sox fire sale at trade deadline could be put on hold

For weeks now, we’ve been expecting a fire sale from the Chicago White Sox at the trade deadline. After all, the team was stagnant for much of the offseason and then started the 2023 campaign in disastrous fashion, looking like one of the worst teams in baseball. So reports and all indications signaled that the team could ultimately just start selling the roster for future assets and rebuilding.

Is that still the case, though?

Yes, the White Sox entered play on Thursday at just 27-35 on the season, eight games below .500. But there are two bigger factors to consider. First, the AL Central is a dumpster fire as every team is under .500 after the Twins’ loss on Thursday. That puts the White Sox within 3.5 games of the division lead, well within striking distance.

In addition to that, Chicago has been noticeably better than every other AL Central team since the end of April, posting a 20-14 record over that span. Not only is that winning baseball, but it’s 3.5 games better than every other team in the division.

Could this unforeseen run at the AL Central title completely pivot the trade deadline plans for the White Sox? You could make a compelling case that it definitely shouldn’t given how dysfunctional the organization and team have been in their current state. But with a playoff spot far more in reach than anyone expected, that could have a way of making the strategy change pretty quickly in the front office.