Here are 3 White Sox Players Who Could Be Traded This Offseason

Here are 3 White Sox Players Who Could Be Traded This Offseason originally appeared in NBC Sports Chicago

O White socks made a flurry of trades ahead of the MLB trade deadline, dishing out names like Eloy Jiménez, Erick Fedde, Michael Kopech, Paul DeJong and Tanner Banks.

However, they kept some players who were expected to trade. But the team could revisit trade opportunities in the offseason if they so choose.

That being said, here are three players the White Sox could trade this offseason.

MORE: White Sox trade deadline recap: Every trade the team made and didn’t make

All signs pointed to the 25-year-old being traded at the deadline. His value is arguably at its highest, but GM Chris Getz and the White Sox didn’t see this juncture as the right time to move their ace.

“Garrett has had strong interest from clubs, for obvious reasons,” Getz said after the deadline passed. “He became one of the best starting pitchers in our game, and the story speaks for itself. We were discussing with the clubs until the last minute. move Garrett, although there was strong interest.”

Entering the league as a reliever, Crochet set his highest single-season innings mark with 54.1 frames in 2021. In April 2022, Crochet underwent Tommy John surgery, letting him pitch 12.1 innings. in the 2022 and 2023 seasons. (He did not pitch in 2022.)

But this season, he exploded in his first full season as a starter. He has pitched 114.1 innings in 22 games. And he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. Crochet maintains a 3.23 ERA and a 1.006 WHIP with a league-leading 160 strikeouts to his name.

However, just days before the deadline, news broke about Crochet’s desire to remain a starter despite the White Sox’ attempt to reduce his workload to less pitching. He also stated his desire for a new contract extension, especially from a potential trade suitor who expected him to play in October during the playoffs.

Some teams were skeptical about his ability to stay healthy even before news broke of his desire for a starting workload and new contract. This leaves the White Sox waiting until Crochet finishes a full season on the mound. That way, if he stays healthy and maintains production, he will likely reassure opposing teams.

So, the price of Crochet should rise during the off-season.

“Weapons like that just don’t come around,” Getz said of switching crochet during the offseason. “And the interest, perhaps, could be even stronger as we are in the off-season and the urgency may change for some clubs. Therefore, I foresee attention on Garrett and interest in acquiring him will only increase. “

Robert Jr.’s case for not being traded at the deadline is quite simple to analyze.

A hip flexor injury in April kept him sidelined for 53 games this season. And when he’s on the field, he doesn’t show much promise either. He is slashing .221/.290/.451 with 12 home runs, 25 RBI and 14 stolen bases. He struck out 82 times with just 20 walks.

Considering the White Sox are acquiring young prospects, it’s fair to assume the center fielder doesn’t fit into their competitive window. But with a difficult season underway, general manager Chris Getz will have a greater opportunity to maximize his return during the offseason.

Multiple reports before the deadline suggested that teams had little interest in Robert Jr. If he remains healthy and begins to produce in the batter’s box during the rest of the season, the White Sox should be able to find a suitor for his services and possibly , return a considerable bid.

The White Sox signed Benintendi, 30, in 2023 to become the team’s everyday left fielder. They signed him to the franchise’s biggest contract – a five-year contract worth $75 million.

But since his arrival, he has not lived up to expectations, especially this season. He is posting a .199 batting average and .565 OPS. He hit eight home runs and 29 RBIs while scoring 25 runs. On defense, he is recording a below-replacement-level seven runs to above-average defensive runs saved.

It’s clear the White Sox overpaid and are trying to get him off the books. According to a report from James Stweart just before the deadline, the White Sox tried to attach Benintendi to Garrett Crochet in a deal with the Red Sox.

This makes sense considering Benintendi played his first five major league seasons with the Red Sox. There, he played arguably the best baseball of his career. In 2017, he finished second to Aaron Judge in AL Rookie of the Year voting after hitting 20 home runs, 90 RBIs and stealing 20 bases. He hit .271 that season as well.

The White Sox hoped to use the Red Sox to offload Benintendi’s salary. Benintendi has three years left on his contract after the season. They could try to trade Benintendi as a salary loss this offseason.

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