Chicago White Sox News: Minor trade may be a precursor to larger deals

The Chicago White Sox have made their first trade of the 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline and it is a deal that was unexpected.

The White Sox looked to their American League Central rival, Kansas City Royals, to acquire some Major League pitching depth.

The White Sox acquired veteran right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers from the Royals in a trade that was announced on Wednesday.

Mayers has appeared in 6 games for the Royals this season while making two starts. In 26.1 innings pitched, Mayers has allowed 19 runs (18 earned) on 34 hits and 10 walks.

Mayers’ career numbers speak to the struggles that he has experienced this season with the Royals. Mayers has a career ERA of 5.21in 204 career appearances.

Mayers is two years removed from being a reliable swingman out of the bullpen for the Los Angeles Angels.

The Chicago White Sox trade on Wednesday is a sign of larger deals to come.

For the White Sox, the trade on Wednesday has less to do about Mayers and more to do about the trades that are likely in the works for the team. The two biggest trade chips that the White Sox have ahead of the trade deadline on August 1 are veteran starting pitchers Lance Lynn and Lucas Giolito. Veteran relief pitcher Joe Kelly also figures to be a trade candidate if he can prove to be healthy.

Here is the thing, the White Sox still will need a pitching staff to finish the season and the team lacks Major League-caliber arms that are capable of filling a spot in the starting rotation. The. health of starting pitchers Michael Kopech and Mike Clevinger remain in question and veteran reliever Liam Hendriks remains on the IL as well.

With the White Sox’s top pitching prospects still at the lower levels of their organization, it seems likely that the team will need pitchers like Mayers to fill out their pitching staff during the second half of the season.