Photo by Dylan Buell
The Chicago White Sox could benefit from a crosstown deal with the Chicago Cubs this season.
When the Chicago White Sox executed a trade deadline deal with the Chicago Cubs a few years back, they transferred Jose Quintana to the other side of the Windy City. They helped construct a significant part of their core. As part of the arrangement, Dylan Cease and Eloy Jimenez joined their organization.
The positions may be reversed this year. The White Sox have a chance to win the American League Central Division. They might be able to get there with a little help from the Northsiders.
On the White Sox’s roster, there are a few huge holes. Fortunately, a number of players on the market might help them meet those needs and reclaim their place in the battle for the AL Central.
1) Ian Happ, a White Sox pitcher, is a potential trade target for the Cubs
Ian Happ is a key Cubs trade candidate who has received insufficient attention this summer. It’s possible that it’s because he still has a year of control after this season.
The Cubs don’t have to trade him right now since they can always shop him in the winter or at next year’s trade deadline.
Happ’s experience of playing numerous positions is what makes him so intriguing. He could be a better outfielder or second baseman for the White Sox than Leury Garcia.
Because of the numerous gaps in the White Sox’s infield and outfield, Happ might be a significant acquisition for the team.
He may be a rover, and he could even set them up for some future possibilities. Let’s pretend that getting Happ is the White Sox’s initial move. After that, they wouldn’t be out of the market if they added someone to the infield or outfield.
Around the trade deadline, versatility is cherished. The Cubs can send their most versatile player to the Southside if they’re feeling kind.
The Chicago White Sox could benefit from a crosstown deal with the Chicago Cubs this season.
When the Chicago White Sox executed a trade deadline deal with the Chicago Cubs a few years back, they transferred Jose Quintana to the other side of the Windy City. They helped construct a significant part of their core. As part of the arrangement, Dylan Cease and Eloy Jimenez joined their organization.
The positions may be reversed this year. The White Sox have a chance to win the American League Central Division. They might be able to get there with a little help from the Northsiders.
On the White Sox’s roster, there are a few huge holes. Fortunately, a number of players on the market might help them meet those needs and reclaim their place in the battle for the AL Central.
Photo by Kirk Irwin
2) David Robertson is a potential White Sox trade target for the Cubs
The Cubs, on the other hand, need to deal with David Robertson this season. This summer, he signed a one-year agreement with them and has developed into an outstanding closer.
Any team looking for an upgrade in the ninth inning or sooner should contact the Cubs about Robertson. The White Sox, for example, would prefer to use him as a setup man.
The bullpen for the 2022 White Sox has been poorer than many expected. Some of the difficulties are due to injuries. They’ve given many more innings to pitchers they hadn’t planned to use.
They have Liam Hendriks (when healthy) and Kendall Graveman as backups closer to home. Robertson might be added to the mix as another high-leverage reliever. Joe Kelly would be much more important to add at the trade deadline if he turns out to be a disaster for them.
The White Sox will be playing catch-up with the Minnesota Twins for the next three weeks unless they turn things around soon.
They would greatly benefit from bringing in Robertson as soon as possible. If it happens, maybe the results will be better than last year’s trade for Craig Kimbrel, the high-performing closer who was fantastic with the Cubs before struggling with the White Sox.
Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo
3) Drew Smyly, a White Sox trade candidate for the Cubs
Wade Miley may be a better fit, but he has struggled to remain on the field more than Drew Smyly. Despite being on the IL right now, Smyly is anticipated to return from an oblique injury before the All-Star break.
Now that Lance Lynn is back and Johnny Cueto is pitching effectively, the White Sox may not have as much of a need for a starting pitcher. The main reason to get Smyly would be to add to the team’s depth and put him in the bullpen as a left-handed reliever.
In his career, Smyly has thrown a lot of innings out of the bullpen. To be honest, it’s probably the most effective way to keep him healthy. He’s been out for a long time and could be more useful as a long man or emergency starter for a contender.
Smyly will be traded by the Cubs this summer. He has shown he can get major league outs, going 2-5 with a 3.80 ERA in 9 starts before being sent to the IL.
Smyly was a member of the Atlanta Braves’ 2021 World Series winning team, where he filled in as a long man during the postseason. It’s exactly what the White Sox might see him as, with the possibility of starting on occasion—especially if their starting rotation suffers another round of ailments.
