As originally reported by Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic, the Chicago White Sox are currently only willing to part with players who will be rentals for other teams. Though noteworthy for the time being, this mindset could obviously shift between now and the August 1st trade deadline depending on how the team performs.
Pursuant to reporting, the White Sox would only be willing to trade away the following players whose contracts end after this season:
- Lucas Giolito (RHP)
- Mike Clevinger (RHP)
- Yasmani Grandal (C)
- Elvis Andrus (INF)
- Reynaldo Lopez (RHP)
- Keynan Middleton (RHP)
The White Sox also have players who are technically free agents after this season but can be brought back on team options. Starting pitcher Lance Lynn has an $18M club option for 2024, and RHP Joe Kelly has a $9.5M club option for next season. All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson also has a club-friendly $14M team option for 2024. Kelly and Anderson were rumored to be trade candidates for the South Siders, but that would seem to be more unlikely to happen if the organization is only trading away players deemed to be a “rental.”
Then, there’s Liam Hendriks. The team’s All-Star closer who is currently on the injured list has either a $15M club option for 2024 or a $15M buyout. Although, between Hendrik’s previous off-the-field battle with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma and the economics of the pitcher’s contract, it seems unlikely the White Sox would trade him away regardless.
By only getting rid of rentals, that leaves it more likely the organization will retain players whose contracts are up after 2024. De-facto closer Kendall Graveman has $8M owed to him next season, and third baseman Yoan Moncada is also a free agent after 2024. Though between Moncada’s poor performance the past couple of seasons, his injury history, and the $24M owed to him next year, it’s unlikely any team would have been willing to acquire the infielder anyways. However, Kendall Graveman has been solid this season, sporting a 2.65 ERA and a 164 ERA+, with six saves on the season. Almost every team looking to buy at the trade deadline needs bullpen arms, but if the reporting is correct, Graveman won’t be a player those teams will be able to trade for.
We will keep you updated with more information as it becomes available. Follow us on social media @SoxOn35th!
Featured Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Go ahead white sox make another dumb trade I can just imagine
Let’s get rid of Lopez pleeese! For a hot dog vendor. ti be named later…..