The White Sox have continued making moves up to the deadline, but this one certainly comes as a surprise.
As first reported by Craig Mish, the Chicago White Sox are reportedly sending Jake Burger to the Miami Marlins in exchange for left-handed pitching prospect Jake Eder.
Eder, 24, is a southpaw currently in Double-A after coming off of Tommy John Surgery last season. He was ranked as the second overall prospect in the Marlins’ system, per Baseball America, with the following review:
“Before the surgery, Eder showed a dynamic two-pitch mix fronted by a one-two punch of a low-to-mid-90s fastball and slider which each project as plus. His fastball had the type of riding life at the top of the strike zone that is coveted today. Eder also showed a strong feel to lengthen and shorten the break on his slider, with the former version looking like a harder curveball. Eder’s third pitch, a low-80s changeup, had a ceiling as an average offering with further refinement. A small tweak in the way Eder removed the ball from his glove at the beginning of his delivery helped improve his command and control, which projected as plus before the operation. He is a dedicated student of the game who keeps a journal of what worked and didn’t work during each of his starts.”
– Baseball America
On the season, Eder has a 3.94 ERA with a 30.6% strikeout rate and a 12.9% walk rate over 29.2 innings thrown. Before his injury, as a 22-year-old in Double-A in 2021, Eder had a 1.77 ERA in 71.1 innings – certainly an impressive feat for someone his age.
Eder is certainly an exciting return for the White Sox, someone who could absolutely be up in the major leagues in the near future. However, it still hurts to see Burger – an incredible story and incredible human being – not continue his career on the South Side.
In 88 games this season, Burger hit .214/.279/.527, launching 25 home runs but also striking out 31.6% of the time. His power was certainly welcomed in Chicago, though the team was still struggling to find the best long-term spot for Burger.
The Marlins have clearly gotten a great player and better person, especially considering he is under control through the 2028 season. Between the work Burger has done in the community and the way he has connected with Sox fans, he will certainly be missed in Chicago. We will always be fans of Burger here at Sox On 35th, and we wish him nothing but the best.
Follow us on social media @SoxOn35th for more updates!
Featured Image: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
Didn’t see this coming and I don’t like it. Probably the most popular player on a team that’s not likable. Hope he does well and that Eden is worth it.
I worry when I see that they traded him for someone who has had Tommy John surgery!
Gonna miss the burger man
When we play the Marlins, have a fish sandwich instead! Seriously, though, we will no longer have just one pitcher who has had Tommy John surgery!
I was all in with the dismantling of the current pitching staff because the starters struggled mightily with pitch count which often-times led to starts of five innings or less. Until the organization drafts quality pitching and develops a reliable White Sox methodology, the organization will continue to pluck pitching from another team’s pool of fading talent. On the other hand, I like the acquisition of the position player, catcher and infielder and the natural talent of speed, both defensive and on base. I favor a lineup that begins with speed followed by the extra-base hitter spraying to all fields. I am pleased with the current core of Anderson, Moncada, Roberts, Jimenez, Vaughn and Burger. But Burger was traded and so too his 25 homeruns (projected to reach 40) for a potential arm who may or may not stick around. Excepting Burger, no team wanted any of White Sox down on the farm talent, even as a toss in?