ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The White Sox acquired minor-league right-hander Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa from the Rangers for outfielder Robbie Grossman on Wednesday.
For general manager Chris Getz, it’s more than likely just the start of active dealmaking between now and the July 30 trade deadline to restock the farm system and rebuild an organization that has nowhere to go but up.
The Sox are 9-28 after their 4-1 victory against the Rays. Although carrying a decent major-league résumé with him, Grossman was merely a stopgap veteran outfielder Getz picked up on a minor-league deal late in spring training. He had a few moments, led the Sox in walks, notched his 200th career double Sunday and said goodbye.
That the Sox were able to add a 23-year-old pitcher with an ERA of 0.00 with the Rangers’ Double-A team at Frisco this season with upper-94-99 mph velocity and a hard slider is being viewed as a good get for Getz. Hoopii-Tuionetoa wasn’t protected in the Rule 5 Draft last year, and the Rangers felt fortunate to keep him in their system.
“We’re excited about bringing in a player of his caliber; we’ve liked him for a little bit,” Getz said.
“He has three really good pitches, a good delivery and there are some elements of his game that can be improved, as well, with his changeup and his usage.”
Hoopii-Tuionetoa was assigned to Double-A Birmingham, the most glowing level of the Sox’ farm system.
Getz will be exploring more trades of veterans for prospects.
“You rewind back to September with the openness to look for opportunities to improve the long-term health of the organization,” Getz said, “with the transactions we made with the Aaron Bummer deal [acquiring five players], fast-forward to Dylan Cease [for three prospects and reliever Steven Wilson] in spring training, and we continue to have conversations now.”
There might not be any untouchables. When asked last week about the possibility of trading All-Star center fielder Luis Robert, who is on the injured list with a hip flexor strain, and prized left-hander Garrett Crochet, Getz said, “we will be open-minded on anything to further set us up for future success.”
Noting the Padres’ landing of Luis Arraez from the Marlins last week, Getz suggested deals could come at any time.
“The deadline is a date that stirs up a lot of transactions, but it doesn’t mean deals can’t be done if it makes sense for both clubs,” he said. “Teams are looking to fill needs, and when it makes sense for both sides, teams are willing to move forward with deals.”
Erick Fedde, who starts against the Guardians on Thursday to open the Sox’ homestand, would have value with another year on his contract. Chris Flexen, pitching on a one-year deal, has a 1.61 ERA over his last five outings (three starts), including six innings of one-run ball with a season-high eight strikeouts against the Rays on Wednesday. He would increase his value with more of the same. Michael Kopech has one more year before free agency. Eloy Jimenez and Yoan Moncada are in the last years of their contracts (with club options next year not going to be picked up) and are expendable, but their salaries and injury histories limit their value. Moncada is on the injured list with an adductor strain.
Tommy Pham, who played for the Diamondbacks against the Rangers and Grossman in the 2023 World Series and, like Grossman, was a free agent through the offseason, could go in a Grossman-like deal.
Grossman, 34, batted .211/.329/.268 with four doubles and 13 walks in 25 games after signing on March 22. A native of Hawaii, Hoopii-Tuionetoa comes with upside and ranks among the Texas League relief leaders in ERA (first), WHIP (second) and opponents’ average (second). The Rangers’ 30th-round draft pick in 2019, he has a 3.15 ERA over four minor-league seasons. He joins a farm system that has climbed to No. 18 among 30 teams, according to MLB Pipeline.
“The ultimate goal is find these opportunities to improve our talent group at the minor-league or major-league level,” Getz said.
