White Sox Rumors: Three potential returns for Jose Abreu

Trade Package Number One:

This trade is the least-likely of the three. Not because of the return, or the Cardinals willingness to part with their prospects, but because of the fact that the Cardinals don’t exactly have a hole at first base, with Jose Martinez producing at a high level for the Red Birds.

However, Martinez is by no means an established big leaguer, given the fact that he’s only in his second season in the show.

Additionally, Martinez can play in both left and right field. The Cardinals could move Martinez off of first with no problem, especially if it meant getting a player like Jose Abreu.

Abreu would be a great fit for the Cardinals, who are in third place in the National League Central at 47-44. The Cardinals are seven games back of the Milwaukee Brewers, and could really use another bat to aid in their pursuit.

From the Cardinals, the White Sox would get nothing short of a haul.

Headlining the deal would be Cardinals no. 2 prospect Tyler O’Neill.

O’Neill is the no. 50-ranked prospect on MLB Pipeline’s Top-100 prospects list. The 23-year old outfielder is hitting .304 with 19 home runs in Triple-A, and has hit three home runs in 44 at-bats in the majors this season.

O’Neill, who is an average defender, could easily transition to first base in the future for the White Sox. As a power-hitting elite prospect, O’Neill is the perfect headliner.

The package doesn’t stop there. Next is the Cardinals third-ranked prospect Dakota Hudson.

A 2016 first-round pick, the 23-year old starting pitcher has had a spectacular season in Triple-A. Hudson is 12-2 with a 2.42 ERA in 17 starts.

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As shown by his numbers, Hudson is close to being ready to produce in the majors. While the White Sox develop their other pitching prospects, Hudson would have an opportunity to make a big impact in the majors in the near future.

Finishing off the deal is the Cardinals 10th-ranked prospect Junior Fernandez. A 21-year-old with a big fastball, Fernandez has all the makings of a future relief ace, but lacks a solid secondary pitch. Fernandez would need some developing, but the young righty possesses huge upside out of the pen.