Chicago White Sox Rumors: Los Angeles Dodgers interested in Lucas Giolito
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito is in a position where he might be the best-starting pitcher available on the trade market ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline on August 1.
With Giolito set to become a free agent at the end of the season and the White Sox entering the second half of the season as firm sellers at the deadline, a trade of Giolito seems to be inevitable.
Giolito is enjoying a bounceback season with the White Sox in 2023. Through 19 starts this season, Giolito has posted a 3.45 ERA and likely will be the trade chip that nets the White Sox the most in a potential trade.
In a sign that the White Sox may be preserving Giolito’s trade value, the starting pitcher is not among the team’s probable pitchers for their series against the Atlanta Braves this weekend.
Now is the time for White Sox general manager to trade Giolito as there is no reason that the veteran starting pitcher should pitch another inning for the team. There are two reasons that drive the need to trade Giolito now.
The first reason is that as of now, Giolito is the best starting pitcher available. That could change before the August 1 deadline if teams like the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, or Los Angeles Angels decide to sell.
The second reason is that Giolito’s first half of the season may be the result of luck. Giolito’s FIP of 4.21 this season would suggest that he is closer to being the pitcher that he was for the White Sox last season when he had a 4.90 ERA.
Still, teams are interested.
A National League contender is expressing interest in Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito.
Jon Morosi of MLB Network reported on Thursday that the Los Angeles Dodgers have an interest in trading for Giolito.
The Dodgers are interested in White Sox RHP Lucas Giolito, one of the top available pitchers, sources say.
— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 13, 2023
Giolito, who went to high school in LA, has a 3.45 ERA this year. The Dodgers have an @MLB-best 9 of the industry’s top 100 prospects, per @MLBPipeline.@MLBNetwork
Dodgers’ catching prospect Dalton Rushing seems like an ideal target for the White Sox as the team is in need of a long-term answer at the position.
It will also be interesting to see if the White Sox and Dodgers expand a potential trade beyond just Giolito. The Dodgers have long been interested in White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson.
Busy times are ahead for the White Sox.
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