It’s not a matter of if the White Sox will trade any players of significance before the deadline Aug. 1 but how many.
Lucas Giolito seems certain to go, and fellow starting pitcher Lance Lynn is a good bet to join him. Joe Kelly, Kendall Graveman, Reynaldo Lopez and Keynan Middleton from the bullpen are there for contending teams needing help.
Former batting champion and All-Star shortstop Tim Anderson, who has a club option for next season, has heard his name in the rumor mill, too.
“Just play. I don’t really worry about anything,” Anderson said when asked about the possibility. “Control what I can control, and whatever happens is going to happen anyway. It’s out of my control.”
In better times, Anderson said he wanted to finish his career with the Sox. But he has experienced his worst season, and general manager Rick Hahn is listening on almost everyone.
“Yeah, it’s a business,” Anderson said. “That’s the part you look at. Just roll with it. You can’t really speak on a whole lot. Just play and see what happens.”
The Sox would not be selling high on Anderson, but his showing as a second baseman in the World Baseball Classic and his surge with a .378/.439/.432 hitting line with four RBI, four runs scored and six multihit games in the second half are positives. He still hadn’t homered this season, however.
“It’s just a process of learning,” Anderson said. “I’ve been learning a lot throughout this struggle. You guys will see. Just give it time. I can’t change it all in one game, but over the course for the rest of the season you could.”
“You don’t want to think about it,” said first baseman Andrew Vaughn, who is under team control through 2026 and not expected to be dealt. “We are all teammates. We are all brothers. We are all together in this.”
Manager Pedro Grifol said this will be a “challenging” week and the focus should be on the game and not trade expectations.
“The trade deadline is not till next week,” Grifol said. “So you can’t sit around and think about what can happen because this game changes minute to minute.”
Moncada back, Burger to 2nd
Third baseman Yoan Moncada returned from the injured list, and Jake Burger started at second base against the Cubs.
Burger, who has started 50 games at third with Moncada limited by back soreness, has played in four games at second during his career but has taken pregame work there throughout the year.
“With his bat in there, let’s give it a shot,” Grifol said.
Moncada hasn’t played since June 13 and brings a .232/.279/.370 hitting line with three homers in 38 games to the lineup. He began his career with the Sox as a second baseman and said Tuesday he would make the switch if it served the team’s best interests. Grifol said such a move could be considered in the offseason but not now with Moncada coming back from a back injury.
Moncada’s disk issue has extended to discomfort in his glute and hamstring, he said.
“I feel good, not 100%, but I feel good enough to play,” he said. “This is something I have to deal with.”
Vaughn returned to the lineup after missing five games with a bone bruise on his left foot.
Catcher Carlos Perez was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte to make room for Moncada on the roster.
