The White Sox made two trades Saturday, dealing perhaps their top reliever in Gregory Santos and one of their top pitching prospects in Cristian Mena to add some needed outfield depth.
In a move few saw coming, first-year general manager Chris Getz sent Santos to the Mariners for right-hander Prelander Berroa, outfielder Zach DeLoach and a 2024 competitive-balance draft pick (69th overall). He also snagged outfielder Dominic Fletcher from the Diamondbacks for Mena, who was ranked as the Sox’ No. 10 prospect by MLB Pipeline.
Fletcher — who, like DeLoach, bats left-handed — could be the Sox’ Opening Day right fielder and could spell All-Star Luis Robert Jr. in center.
‘‘[Fletcher] can help us in all different positions in the outfield,’’ Getz said. ‘‘Hammers righties — or has historically. To provide that type of offensive potential and defensive ability, we felt it was a smart baseball decision to bring him into the organization.’’
Fletcher, 26, was ranked as the Diamondbacks’ No. 11 prospect by MLB Pipeline. He appeared in 28 games with them last season and batted .301/.350/.441 with two home runs and 14 RBI. Against right-handers, he batted .369/.423/.523.
‘‘And he can defend,’’ said Getz, who is emphasizing defense as he looks to change the composition of the Sox. ‘‘He’s got both offensive and defensive potential. I say ‘potential,’ but he’s performed and gone out and done that. High-makeup kid, high energy, plays the game the right way. He can base-run, he can defend, he makes good decisions on a baseball field, has a really solid reputation.’’
Fletcher made his major-league debut April 30 and went 8-for-12 with two homers, a triple, a double, nine RBI and eight runs scored in a three-game stretch May 11-13 against the Giants. He played 14 games in center field, 12 in right and four in left.
DeLoach, 25, batted .286/.387/.481 with 23 homers and 88 RBI for Triple-A Tacoma last season. The additions of Fletcher and DeLoach, along with the signing of veteran Kevin Pillar to a minor-league deal, spruce up an outfield that before the weekend featured converted first baseman Gavin Sheets and Oscar Colas, who is expected to open the season at Triple-A Charlotte, in right.
Santos, 24, pitched 66⅓ innings last season and had a 3.39 ERA and five saves. His departure leaves a void in the closer’s role, which in early February is of limited concern for a rebuilding team coming off a 101-loss season. And Santos, who finished last season on the injured list with elbow inflammation, had only eight save chances.
‘‘Time will tell,’’ Getz said. “We have to breathe a little bit based on the transaction we had today.
‘‘It takes a little bit of time for the identities of the bullpen to kind of take shape in regards to different roles. But I like the style of arms we have, both starting and relievers. There’s plenty of upside. We will certainly be creative with how we deploy our pitching.’’
Getz compared Berroa’s arm to Santos’. Berroa, 23, made two scoreless relief appearances for the Mariners last season and was 5-1 with six saves, a 2.89 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 65⅓ innings in 43 appearances (five starts) for Double-A Arkansas.
‘‘Quite honestly, [trading Santos] came down to multiplying and being able to get multiple players for one,’’ Getz said.
Berroa was rated by Baseball America as the No. 12 prospect — with the best slider — in the Mariners’ organization. DeLoach was rated by Baseball America as their No. 14 prospect.
Mena, 21, went 8-7 with a 4.85 ERA and 156 strikeouts in 27 starts last season between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Sox designated right-hander Lane Ramsey for assignment.
