White Sox Recent Scouting Activity Could ‘Warn’ Team’s Trade Deadline Intentions: Report originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago
O White socks are reportedly doing their due diligence as the MLB trade deadline approaches. According to the Athletic’s MLB trade deadline reporting team from Ken Rosenthal, Patrick Mooney and Katie Woo, the team sent its “best scouts” to check out the Dodgers, Mariners and Padres farm systems.
“The White Sox scouting activity could be a hint as to how they will approach the deadline,” the Athletic reporting team wrote. “If they rely on field scouts, that means they probably want prospects with great tools. The Padres, Dodgers and Mariners have all those types of players in considerable quantity.”
The Athletic noted that all three teams have expressed interest in several White Sox players, but several other teams have hired the GM Chris Getz also in commercial negotiations.
The big players who could command a big run at the deadline are the starting pitchers Garrett Crochet and central defender Luís Roberto Jr..
Crochet was a revelation for the White Sox in his first season as a starter in the major leagues. His 3.05 ERA, 0.943 WHIP and league-leading 130 strikeouts should lead to a bidding war in a market lacking top-end starting talent if Getz makes him available at the deadline.
The same cannot be said about Robert Jr. He remains a high-level player with many attractive tools, but has struggled since returning from a hip flexor strain that sidelined him for 53 games. Since Robert Jr. returned to the lineup on June 4, he is slashing .191/.301/.476 with five home runs, seven RBI and two stolen bases. Robert Jr. struck out 25 times compared to 10 walks.
“Teams will likely want to see more before giving up what the White Sox want for a player who last season hit 38 homers and stole 20 bases,” the Athletic reporting team wrote. “Robert is owed the balance of his salary of $12.5 million in 2024 and $15 million in 2025. His deal also includes $20 million club options for 2026 and ’27.”
These are the biggest names that could be on the move this summer, but the White Sox are expected to trade several other players at the deadline as they try to rebuild their prospects for the future. The Athletic noted that relief pitcher Michael Kopech and outfielder Tommy Pham have drawn interest from teams preparing for the postseason. Starter Erick Fedde is also expected to depart as he is in the midst of a recovery season after spending 2023 in Korea.
