Now Is The Time Chicago White Sox Should Trade Pending Free Agent Pitchers

Phones in the Chicago White Sox front office should begin to ring.

With the team underperforming, the White Sox are an excellent candidate to shake things up before the August 1 Major League Baseball trade deadline.

To this scout, the White Sox should not wait. They should try to trade pitchers with expiring contracts sooner than later.

Teams trading for pitchers on expiring contracts will have the remainder of this season and the postseason to gain value from a trade.

Potential Free Agent Pitchers:

With the White Sox sitting 8.5 games behind the division leading Minnesota Twins, the White Sox have several attractive potential free agents that could help a contender improve.

The White Sox could bolster their own roster for the future with a solid trade return.

There isn’t a team in MLB that doesn’t always look to upgrade their pitching staff.

The White Sox have several pitchers that might be made available in trade due to their current contract status. They include:

Starting Pitchers:

Lance Lynn-RHP-Age 36

Lance Lynn is in the last year of his 2-year, $38 million contract.

The White Sox hold an option for 2024 worth $18 million. It is doubtful they will accept that option, making Lynn a free agent.

Prior to games May 13, Lynn has a 1-5 record with a 7.51 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP in his eight starts, covering 44.1 innings.

An All Star in 2012, and in 2021, to this old scout, Lynn looks heavy and appears to be struggling on the mound. He is listed at 6-5, 270 pounds.

Lucas Giolito-RHP-Age 28

Lucas Giolito will be an unrestricted free agent when the season ends.

At times, Giolito has been good, and at times, he’s been mediocre. When he commands his fastball/slider/ changeup repertoire, it is tough to drive his pitches.

He will be attractive to clubs looking for a healthy arm to take the ball into the playoffs. And, at age 30 next season, he potentially has years left as an effective starter.

This year, Giolito has a record of 2-2, with a 3.59 ERA and 1.11 WHIP in his 47.2 innings pitched, covering eight starts.

Mike Clevinger-RHP-Age 32

Mike Clevinger was cleared by MLB of domestic violence allegations prior to the start of the season. However, an investigation into those allegations hung over Clevinger and the White Sox throughout spring training.

In his first year with the White Sox, like all other Chicago starters, Clevinger has had both good and mediocre outings. His current salary is $8 million, a very team-friendly number.

A team looking for a starter may want to give the White Sox a call.

So far, Clevinger has made eight starts; pitching to a 4.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 41.1 innings. His record is 2-3.

Relief Pitchers:

In January, Liam Hendriks announced he was under treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma, a form of cancer. He is now in remission and has returned to pitching.

Any team wanting a back-end of the bullpen arm would do well to look to Hendriks.

The White Sox hold a $15 million club option for 2024 on Hendriks, who makes $14.333 million this year. It remains to be seen if they exercise that option, or choose to trade Hendriks and build up their roster with a solid return.

As of this writing, Hendriks has not yet returned to the big league mound.

It is certain teams will evaluate his ability as he returns from his illness.

Joe Kelly-RHP-Age 34

This is the last year of Joe Kelly’s White Sox contract. The team holds a $9.5 million option on Kelly for next year. It is doubtful they pick up that option.

This year, Kelly has a record of 0-1, with a 4.50 ERA and 0.87 WHIP in his eight relief innings pitched.

Reynaldo Lopez-RHP-Age 29

Reynaldo Lopez is an intriguing pitcher.

Part of the December 2016 deal with the Washington Nationals that brought Giolito and since traded pitcher Dane Dunning to Chicago for outfielder Adam Eaton, Lopez could be used by a big league club in the rotation, or the bullpen.

Lopez has a very strong arm.

Like most Chicago pitchers, Lopez has had some very positive moments on the mound. Some were not as good.

Costing only $3.625 million, Lopez could be a bargain to extend his contract as part of the future White Sox pitching staff.

However, to this scout, due to his age and arm strength, Lopez could be the most valuable reliever the White Sox could make available. Going forward, He has the opportunity to be a solid arm on any club. His value exceeds his current salary.

His performance this year shouldn’t dictate a huge payday for Lopez in his next contract.

He has thrown 15.2 innings, has a record of 0-3, and his ERA is 8.04. Having walked an average of 4.6 hitters per nine innings, Lopez holds a 1.66 WHIP.

Kenyan Middleton-RHP-Age 29

A free agent after this season, Middleton is a middle-reliever, and is not unique or of such value to the team that the White Sox have to keep him.

Middleton currently makes only $1 million. For that reason, he could be attractive as part of a package sent to another team in a consequential trade.

Middleton has appeared in 14 games. He has thrown 12.1 innings, and has a 2.19 ERA, and 1.37 WHIP.

Other Potential Free Agents:

The White Sox face losing shortstop Tim Anderson, catcher Yasmani Grandal, infielder Elvis Andrus, and infielder Hanser Alberto via free agency after this season.

The White Sox hold a $14 million, 2024 option on Anderson. Anderson’s situation is worth a lengthy evaluation. That’s a story for another time.

For now, however, this scout feels the team should concentrate on moving free agent pitching, which is the position for which demand will be great as the summer moves along.

Summary:

As of May 13, the White Sox have a record of 13-27. They are in 4th place in the American League Central Division.

The team payroll is listed at $192 million.

A number of White Sox pitchers are in the final year of their contracts.

Teams in contention may want to add a starting pitcher such as Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, or Mike Clevinger to their rotation. Each can become a free agent at the conclusion of the season.

Clevinger is pitching on a mutual option. Both the White Sox and Clevinger would have to agree to a $12 million extension for Clevinger.

It is doubtful Chicago would agree to that extension.

The White Sox hold a team option of $18 million to extend Lynn another year. However, such an extension doesn’t seem likely.

Relievers Liam Hendriks, Joe Kelly, Reynaldo Lopez and Kenyan Middleton are able to declare free agency following this season.

The White Sox hold a $15 million option to retain Hendriks another year.

This scout believes the St. Louis Cardinals, the New York Mets, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Atlanta Braves would be the best trade targets for White Sox pitchers.

Trading from their pending free agent pitching depth now will maximize their return, and will allow the other team to gain more time with their newly acquired pitcher.