The fire sale for the Chicago White Sox is underway. Come one, come all!
After shipping 22-year-old infielder Jose Rodriguez to the Philadelphia Phillies for cash considerations roughly a month ago, the White Sox are now sending veteran outfielder and offseason free-agent signing Robbie Grossman to the reigning World Series champion Texas Rangers, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Rangers re-acquire Robbie Grossman from White Sox, Texas announces
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) May 8, 2024
As Heyman points out, the Rangers "re-acquire" Grossman, who played for Texas in 2023 and contributed to their championship run. Now, he will return to Arlington with hopes of helping them defend their title.
Welcome back, Robbie!
— Texas Rangers (@Rangers) May 8, 2024
We've acquired OF Robbie Grossman from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for RHP Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa. pic.twitter.com/OVh6m1E741
The Rangers wasted no time welcoming Grossman back in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter), revealing that they traded minor league right-handed relief pitcher Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa in exchange for his services.
Let's assess how both teams fared in this transaction without further ado.
MLB trade grades: Rangers bring back familiar face as part of White Sox fire sale
From Texas' perspective, this move makes a ton of sense. Hoopii-Tuionetoa has been a part of their farm system since 2021 but has yet to crack the major league roster -- turning him into a tangible asset who can contribute to their pennant race in the form of Grossman.
Hoopii-Tuionetoa has a 4.54 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and 156 strikeouts in 112.2 innings pitched throughout his cumulative minor league career thus far and has failed to reach the Triple-A yet, suggesting he will likely see minimal opportunity this year, even in Chicago.
Now, they bring in Grossman, a familiar face who will get an immediate opportunity in the lineup, while left fielder/designated hitter Wyatt Langford is on the injured list with a right hamstring strain. However, he has struggled from the plate this season, batting .211/.329/.268 with zero home runs and four RBIs across 85 plate appearances. But Grossman has proven he can positively impact a contending club, as evidenced by his efforts in 2023.
For the White Sox, this move marks an official waving of the white flag for an 8-28 squad with an eye toward next year. Keeping a 34-year-old like Grossman on the roster does nothing for them. Instead, Chicago is taking a flier on a young relief pitcher and hoping to unlock any untapped potential Hoopii-Tuionetoa may have. Ranking 27th in cumulative WHIP (1.442) and 28th in ERA (4.99), bringing in a young arm can't hurt.