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Chicago White Sox Rumors: Three trades to ignite the hot stove

By Jason Kinander

SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 5: Relief pitcher Edwin Diaz #39 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field on September 5, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 5-3. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images)
SEATTLE, WA - SEPTEMBER 5: Relief pitcher Edwin Diaz #39 of the Seattle Mariners celebrates after a game against the Baltimore Orioles at Safeco Field on September 5, 2018 in Seattle, Washington. The Mariners won the game 5-3. (Photo by Stephen Brashear/Getty Images) /
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Chicago White Sox (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images)
Chicago White Sox (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) /

Trade Number One: Acquire Edwin Diaz from the Seattle Mariners

The White Sox could use a shutdown closer.

None better than the 2018 MLB saves leader, Edwin “Sugar” Diaz.

Diaz saved 57 games in his 2018 All-Star season. In 73 games, Diaz recorded a 1.96 ERA, striking out 124 in 73.1 innings.

Even better, Diaz is under team control until 2023. However after the Seattle Mariners dealt ace James Paxton to the New York Yankees on Monday, it looks as if the Mariners will be the next team to enter an extended rebuilding phase.

Related Story. White Sox: Avi Garcia trade is not simple. light

The only position on the White Sox that isn’t “filled” by a top prospect or young up-and-coming star is the closer spot, therefore a trade would make perfect sense. Diaz won’t be cheap, but he’s the ideal fit, given his control, performance, and young age (24).

A realistic trade package for Diaz would be headlined by Blake Rutherford. Rutherford is a top-100 prospect, but amazingly doesn’t have a clear spot on the White Sox, as Jimenez, Luis Robert, and a potential free agent signing all but have the three outfield spots under lock.

Next would be Bernardo Flores. A consistent, young lefty in the White Sox system, Flores would be a top-ten prospect in just about every system. Because of the high-profile names in the White Sox system, Flores gets zero attention, and additionally, like Rutherford, has no real place on the future ball club.

Finally, Seby Zavala would be a nice finishing touch to the deal. The third of three solid prospects with just no place on the White Sox, Zavala is a power-hitting major league-ready catcher. After last months trade of catcher Mike Zunino, the Mariners could certainly use a young catcher.

While all three prospects might not get a ton of attention in the White Sox system, all three have serious value. All three prospects are coming off of great 2018 seasons in the minor leagues, and are likely trade candidates because of their status against the White Sox current roster.

As always, the White Sox could be hesitant to deal three solid prospects, but at the end of the day, it would take a lot to pass up an opportunity to get one of the best young relievers in all of baseball.

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