Chicago White Sox Rumors: Lance Lynn trade nearing with Tampa Bay Rays?

The Chicago White Sox may be nearing the first trade of their sell-off ahead of the Major League Baseball Trade Deadline on August 1.

The White Sox have a plethora of players believed to be available and starting pitchers Lucas Giolito and Lance Lynn have been drawing early interest.

Lynn is the White Sox’s scheduled starter for their Wednesday night game against the Chicago Cubs but we may be nearing the likelihood that the veteran starting pitcher is scratched due to a nearing trade.

Bob Nightengale of The USA Today reports that the White Sox and Tampa Bay Rays are in serious discussions regarding a potential trade involving Lance Lynn.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn may be on the move to the Tampa Bay Rays.

It was last week that we first heard that the Rays may be interested in acquiring Lynn from the White Sox.

The fact that Nightengale placed the “serious talks” caveat on the rumor and mentions that the teams have exchanged names would seem to suggest that the sides may be approaching the completion of a deal. It is worth noting that the Rays are one of 10 teams that Lynn can veto a trade to. 

On the surface, one may wonder why any contending team would have an interest in Lynn. Lynn has struggled this season with a 6.18 ERA and has been prone to giving up the home run as he averages over 2 home runs allowed per 9 innings pitched this season.

Where the interest lies in Lynn is his ability to miss bats. Lynn is striking out hitters at a 27.3-percent clip this season and that could allow a team to potentially use him as a long-reliever out of the bullpen.

Trading with the Rays is always risky business as there is no team in Major League Baseball that knows its prospects more than Tampa Bay. With that being the case, the risk is that the Rays will offer up prospects that may be a false bill of goods.