Rumors Swirling: Potential Trade Deals Chicago White Sox Might Enter to Offload Their Top-tier Players
New and Improved! The Chicago White Sox's Tricky Trade Tactics
The Chicago White Sox are gearing up for the trade deadline with a tricky approach. Last season, they held the worst record in modern MLB history. Not much has changed, as they currently boast the poorest record in the American League. After shipping off Erick Fedde and Tommy Pham last year, the White Sox are now looking to move Luis Robert Jr and Andrew Benintendi. But it ain't that simple. Ken Rosenthal reported that the team is prepared to dig deep to seal these deals.
Rosenthal wrote that the White Sox understand they can't put the same demands on teams interested in Benintendi and Robert as the Red Sox did with Rafael Devers' contract. Instead, they're willing to include cash in trades to help finalize the deals.
A Staggering Contract: The Case of Benintendi
Since Benintendi inked the biggest contract in White Sox history, he's been a major letdown. In 334 games, he's amassed a pathetic 0.1 bWAR, 32 home runs, and 136 RBIs. His OPS is a measly .693, a steep drop from the .782 mark he maintained for the first seven years of his career. The White Sox owe him a hefty $17 million this year and next, and another $15 million in 2027. Yikes!
Struggling Star: The Curious Case of Robert
Robert has team options in 2026 and 2027, which means he could hit free agency as soon as this year. But another dismal season doesn't bode well for his trade value. This year, he's posted a .576 OPS, but he's already stolen 22 bases. So there's that.
The Garrett Crochet Deal: A Taste of Things to Come?
Looking back to the offseason, the White Sox traded Garrett Crochet for four of the Red Sox's top prospects. If they can scoop up a few more at the MLB trade deadline, the Southside could be on the verge of a successful rebuild after some truly awful seasons. Keep your eyes peeled, folks! 🌪️🐻⚾️
Additional insights:
- The White Sox's strategy at the 2024 trade deadline is to be sellers, targeting prospects to jump-start a rebuild.
- Due to their limited enticing pieces, the White Sox are ready to include cash in deals involving Benintendi and Robert.
- Andrew Benintendi's disappointing performance and exorbitant salary complicate his trade prospects, but the White Sox are willing to negotiate.
- Luis Robert Jr.'s weak offensive season has diminished his trade value, but his defensive prowess and base-stealing abilities keep him coveted.
- Despite lukewarm interest from potential suitors due to his contract, Robert's versatility and potential to improve offensively make him an appealing trade candidate.
Trades involving Luis Robert Jr and Andrew Benintendi are being negotiated by the White Sox, with cash included to help finalize the deals. Despite their poor performances and high salaries, their versatility and potential to improve make them appealing trade candidates.
