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Who could the Chicago White Sox trade next?

By Ian Blum

DENVER, CO - JULY 07: Starting pitcher Derek Holland #45 of the Chicago White Sox pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
DENVER, CO - JULY 07: Starting pitcher Derek Holland #45 of the Chicago White Sox pitches in the first inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on July 7, 2017 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) /
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Chicago White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has been wheeling and dealing as baseball approaches the July 31st trade deadline. With less than two weeks before the deadline, here a few players that could be on the move next.

First, Rick Hahn sent starting pitcher Jose Quintana to the Chicago Cubs. He then traded infielder Todd Frazier and right handed relievers Tommy Kahnle and David Robertson to the New York Yankees. In return, the Chicago White Sox organization built a prospect empire.

Honestly, outfielder Melky Cabrera is the only player left on the White Sox roster who is likely to be traded and could bring a somewhat heavy haul in return. He is having a good offensive season, batting .286 with 12 home runs and 54 RBIs. While the market for position players still remains fairly dried out, there are certainly teams who could use Cabrera.

The issue that Hahn will run into is the money. No team is likely to eat the remaining $15 million dollars on Cabrera’s contract. If the White Sox want a trade with at least a decent return, they will have to pay the money which can be cause for lack of leverage in trade talks.

Another bullpen arm

Anthony Swarzak has been having a wonderful 2017 season. He has an ERA of 2.45 and 48 strikeouts in 44 innings of work out of the bullpen. Swarzak, like Kahnle, came out of nowhere for the White Sox in 2017. Without any doubt, this has been a pitcher’s market. However, since the Washington Nationals made their trade with the Oakland Athletics, it does not seem like relievers are in demand like they were this time a year ago.

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The return will not be as great and Don Cooper might not appreciate a complete gutting of his bullpen. Swarzak is also right handed,  and teams like the Houston Astros are loaded with right handed relievers.

A back-end starting pitcher for contenders

Derek Holland is one last player who could be moved. Many fans see that name and wonder why any team would even look that way.  With a record of 5-9 and a 5.09 ERA, he has been having a rough year no doubt.

However, all that means for a potential buyer is that he will come at a cheap price. He would be a rental piece and teams will not have to give up much to get him. Despite his ugly year statistically, Derek Holland has what contenders could look for.

First, Holland is hilarious. Any Chicago White Sox fan knows that he is a funny guy who keeps things loose in the dugout. If you don’t have Holland on Snapchat, fix that immediately. Second, he has post season experience. He was apart of the Texas Rangers in the midst of their postseason runs in 2010-2012. He made two appearances, one in which he started, in the 2011 World Series.

Pitchers like Sonny Gray of the Oakland A’s and Yu Darvish of the Texas Rangers will overshadow Holland on the market. However, do not be surprised if Hahn attempts to move Holland before the deadline despite that fact.

Next: Breaking down the White Sox trade with Yankees

All three of these players have trade market obstacles that will not make a deal easy. But if Rick Hahn has shown anything, it’s that there is not a deal he can’t make.

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