3 trades the Chicago White Sox should make before deadline
By Ryan Heckman
Trade Number 2: The Chicago White Sox trade for a crosstown All Star in Ian Happ
It took a little while, but the Chicago Cubs saw Ian Happ break out and earn his first All Star bid this year. He is currently slashing .281/.369/.448 with a career-best 23 doubles (and counting), 44 RBI and an OPS of .817.
The Sox could use an outfielder right now, and with Happ’s versatility to be able to play both in and out if need be, he would be a prime trade target. Because the Cubs are yet again sellers, the Sox are in a great position to snag Happ away from their crosstown rivals and use him as just another piece to make this season worthwhile.
Happ is arbitration eligible through 2023, so maybe he commands a fairly decent return, but nothing other-worldly. Something along the lines of two mid-level prospects could get a deal done.
As the number 23 overall spot on MLB Trade Rumors’ top 50 trade candidates earlier this month, Happ would give the Sox much-needed help and another bat going down the stretch run.
In this deal, the Sox give up their number 8 overall prospect in infielder Bryan Ramos along with their number 13 prospect, outfielder Micker Adolfo.
Ramos has a nice bat, and feel for using the entire field at the plate. He’s got a strong enough swing to become a guy who could produce 20-plus homers in the future. Adolfo, meanwhile, has a very aggressive approach at the plate and packs a ton of power.