Chicago White Sox: 3 potential trades for Marcus Stroman

Trade Package Number Three

Let’s get a bit weird.

In this deal, the White Sox split their sacrifices right down the middle, giving up half major league talent and half minor league talent.

We’ve already discussed Rutherford and his appeal to Toronto. Now let’s talk about the other three names.

First is Alec Hansen. Hansen was a perenial top-100 prospect entering last season, but had one of the worst seasons in recent memory in 2018, walking more batters than he struck out to the tune of an ERA over 6.

Hansen still has an incredibly high ceiling, as he led the minor leagues in strikeouts in 2017. Hansen’s role could be in the bullpen, but his high upside should make him a target for Toronto, who lacks serious pitching in their farm system.

After Hansen and Rutherford would be the two major leaguers in the deal, Jace Fry and Ryan Cordell. Fry, a left-handed reliever, has struggled a bit out of the gate in 2019, but had a great 2018 season out of the bullpen as a rookie, and is a high leverage reliever. Fry would be an excellent addition to the Blue Jays ‘pen, and carries high value as a second-year player.

Finally, Ryan Cordell would top off this package. Cordell is a former top-30 prospect in the White Sox system, and has shown serious flashes of potential in a bench role with the White Sox this season. Cordell would see adequate playing time on a rebuilding Blue Jays team, and would be the final piece of an upside-based trade package.

Regardless of what level the talent is at, the White Sox will have to give up highly-touted players, both minor league and major league, if they want to trade for Stroman. Stroman would be a huge get for the White Sox and would progress the rebuild nicely, but the White Sox would need to decide if the asking price is just too high.