MLB Rumors: Corbin Burnes value, Reds deadline plans, White Sox pivot

MLB Rumors: Will the White Sox definitely sell?

As bad as the NL Central has been, the AL Central is arguably worse. The Chicago White Sox, who were more than 10 games back just a few weeks ago, have crept back into the race. As of this writing, the South Siders are 5.5 games back of the Minnesota Twins, in part thanks to the emergence of Jake Burger.

But is this hot stretch enough for the White Sox front office to reconsider their trade deadline stance? Most pundits assume Chicago will trade off any assets they can, thus admitting defeat with their current core of players. One MLB insider says “not so fast, my friend.”

Per MLB Trade Rumors and Ken Rosenthal, the Sox are limiting themselves to a softer sell. This means the likes of Cease, previously mentioned as a trade target for some pitch-needy teams, is probably off the table.

"“Even by limiting themselves to a softer sell, they would still have plenty of players to discuss in trade talks. Lucas Giolito, Mike Clevinger, Yasmani Grandal, Elvis Andrus, Reynaldo López and Keynan Middleton are all set to reach free agency this winter and would be the club’s best trade chips. Clevinger’s deal has a mutual option for 2024 but those are rarely picked up by both parties,” Darragh McDonald of MLBTR writes."

So, yes, the White Sox are still going to sell come late July. They have assets on expiring deals that some contenders might want. But if this hot streak continues, expect Chicago’s front office to limit the calls they take moving forward.