The late-July eighth-grade dance, otherwise known as the major-league trade deadline, might get buyers and sellers out of their seats sooner than the final three days.
And with more playoff contenders hit with injuries to key players or coping with deficiencies at specific positions, the White Sox are in an enviable position to improve at multiple positions by dealing players who won’t be part of their rebuilding program.
The only possible untouchable is dominant left-hander Garrett Crochet, who has emerged as a staff ace at 24 and won’t become a free agent until 2027.
Crochet’s value might never be higher than it is now.
Unlike with former ace Dylan Cease, the Sox shouldn’t be in any rush to move Crochet unless a package of prospects is too tempting to pass up.
One team operative suggested that there would be no sense in moving Crochet unless the return included a projected staff ace or No. 2 starter and a slugger who could produce 30-plus home runs for 10 years.
Any team that acquires Crochet likely would restrict him to pitching in relief for the second half because he already has thrown 82⅔ innings after missing 2022 because of Tommy John surgery and pitching only 25 innings (12„ in the minors during a rehab assignment and 12⅔ with the Sox because of a shoulder injury) in 2023.
The Sox are considering a six-man rotation to preserve the arms of Crochet and their younger starters who were increasing their workloads.
Noah Schultz, Drew Thorpe and Jonathan Cannon could be entrenched in the Sox’ rotation in 2025, and keeping Crochet would take pressure off them.
Here’s a look at the Sox’ other trade candidates:
Luis Robert Jr.
Baltimore is an attractive match because of the struggles of center fielder Cedric Mullins, and the Orioles have one of the deepest farm systems.
They’ve also shown a willingness to trade some of their prospects, as evidenced by the Corbin Burnes trade this winter.
Robert is owed slightly more than $21 million through 2025, with two team options at $20 million annually.
He has a history of injuries, but Robert is only 26 and still should command a package of prospects that includes a player close to his potential.
Although the draft can be a crapshoot, selecting a power hitter such as Jac Caglianone or Braden Montgomery could alleviate some of the lack of power in the organization.
Erick Fedde
Fedde is one of the best signings of the offseason. The Sox might want to squeeze as much out of a team as they can in any trade involving Fedde, who is signed through 2025 and can improvise when he doesn’t have his best stuff.
At the same time, the Sox still need a starter to consume innings, and keeping him would at least allow the other young starters to develop at a manageable rate. Expect Fedde to attract more interest than anticipated, especially with the dearth of available starters.
The Sox could keep Fedde through the rest of the season before assessing their options in the offseason, when a wider cast of teams might be seeking a veteran starter.
Tommy Pham
It’s no secret that Pham will be traded to a contender after signing late this spring with the Sox. But he likely will be one of the last additions unless a team is in a hurry to acquire a big-stage hitter.
Pham has a lifetime .313 batting average in the playoffs, including a .429 average against the Dodgers in the 2023 National League Division Series and a .421 average against the Rangers in the 2023 World Series while playing for the Diamondbacks.
His experience would be an asset to any playoff team.
Paul DeJong
The Dodgers likely will be patient for a few weeks after Mookie Betts suffered a fractured hand and opt for Miguel Rojas.
Last spring, there was the assumption the Brewers would trade shortstop Willy Adames, who can become a free agent. But Adames, with 12 homers, has helped Milwaukee stay in first in a weak NL Central. The Brewers should be careful about whom they trade, given their dealing of Josh Hader in 2022 that destroyed clubhouse morale.
The Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette is experiencing his worst season and is signed through 2025. With Betts expected to return before the end of the season, DeJong might provide a better fit, with the Sox receiving a reliever with bona fide major-league potential.
The Sox acquired prospects Jordan Leasure and Nick Nastrini in a trade with the Dodgers last summer, and the Dodgers haven’t been afraid to move prospects for much-needed help at the major-league level.
Michael Kopech
Kopech has a 32.3 strikeout percentage. Even though he has blown four of nine save opportunities, there always will be a team intrigued by his 98.7 mph fastball (according to FanGraphs).
Kopech, who moved from the rotation to the bullpen midway through spring training, has allowed 2.15 home runs per nine innings. His talents once tantalized Sox fans before he underwent Tommy John surgery that sidelined him for all of 2019.
The Sox might wait until the final days before trading Kopech for a prospect with similar potential.
Eloy Jimenez and Yoan Moncada
A long history of injuries severely reduces the possibility that either player will be traded, although Jimenez is expected to return before the All-Star break and would help a team seeking a right-handed-hitting designated hitter.
Moncada’s recovery from a strained right hip flexor has been deliberate, and he’s owed about $12 million.
He might be forced to watch while some of his teammates dance to playoff contenders.
