White Sox second baseman Nick Madrigal “underwent successful surgery to repair the proximal tendon tears in his right hamstring,” the club announced today. He’ll be out for the season and is expected to be restriction-free in spring of 2022. Madrigal’s injury was known to be potentially season-ending last week, as he was placed on the 60-day IL.
The White Sox have done a remarkable job weathering major injuries already this year, sitting in first place in the AL Central with the league’s second-best record despite early-season losses of Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez. Jimenez could potentially join the club in August after rupturing his left pectoral tendon in late March, while Robert suffered a Grade 3 right hip flexor strain. Neither player has an official timetable for return from the White Sox.
Madrigal, Chicago’s high-contact 24-year-old rookie second baseman, had a 117 wRC+ on the season that ranked seventh among qualifiers. Danny Mendick and Leury Garcia have taken over at second since Madrigal’s injury. Should the White Sox look to upgrade, Adam Frazier, Josh Harrison, Eduardo Escobar, and Jonathan Schoop could be among those available.
Not a good day for this fan. 3 of the players I go out of my way to watch are Max, Glassnow and Madrigal.
Gonna have to wait for Big Sexy, I guess.
Still got Tatis, Ocuna, Vlad , and deGrom. Those are four guys I drop everything to watch.
Thoughts and prayers for a speedy recovery.
Red Sox fan…saw enuf this weekend of Vlad Jr. this weekend….unstoppable force….
But ya the other guys are pretty good too.
Who replaces this kid? Might be time to talk to the D-backs about Ketel Marte, he can play some 2nd base. This isn’t the year for the White Sox to bring in a scrub.
I’m hoping for Marte, especially since he can slide to the OF next year when Madrigal is back. The problem is, if you look at Baseball Trade Values, he’s on par with Giolito. No way they get him while keeping all of Vaughn, Kopech, and Crochet. Not saying I would keep those three at all costs, but any deal for Marte will sting a bit.
With them set to lose Lynn and/or Rodon after the season, this might be their best opportunity for a title of the whole rebuild, realistically. So I do hope they go for it this year, if they are smart about it. I hope they do not consider trading Kopech or Crochet with those 2 other pitchers leaving, and doubt they would. But a trade package including Vaughn for Marte would be interesting to consider. Marte is under control through 2024, and is very cheap for a player of his level. It would certainly make them better for this year, as well as give them another outfielder for next year when Madrigal gets back. So it would not be the same as trading Vaughn for a rental like Castellanos. Tough call, but their future is now, and I’m not sure Vaughn is going to contribute all that much to their success this year, especially against RHP’s which continues to be their biggest weakness. Marte would be about the only player I would consider trading Vaughn for, because of him being under contract 3 more years after this. I doubt that Vaughn alone would be enough to get Marte, but would be interesting to consider. They are linked to the DBacks in trade talks though. Far more likely is that they give up nobody of great value for Peralta.
I don’t see it this year for White Sox. Too new to this kind of thing, and I don’t trust anyone in that rotation other than Lynn. I think they struggle mightily vs the Rays. Keep building, steady as she goes. If you get someone make sure it’s either a long term pitching asset or a cheap short term fix. No long term position players that cost a lot of prospects. You can find a workable second baseman with some skills without selling the farm for Marte.
“Workable” doesn’t win championships. Difference-makers do. If they’re going for a 2B other than Marte, I’d like them to target Schoop. Rental swinging a great bat, could probably be had for cheap.
The White Sox should go for it this year and do whatever they can to add Max Scherzer at the deadline. A rotation led by Lynn, Scherzer, Rodon with Giolito & Keuchel on the back end would possibly be the best in all of baseball 1-5. They can fill in the 2nd base void pretty easily if you ask me.
I’m sure that given how Hahn woefully overpaid for Shields, Frazier and Samardzija GMs are lining up to deal with him. But no way should the Sox marry themselves to Marte at an inflated price for this fluky year he’s having;. Escobar makes sense – he’s a 3 month player, his stats aren’t inflated and his price should be low.
@Overbrook
Actually, with the hauls they received from the Sale, Q, and Eaton trades, I don’t think other GM’s are looking at Hahn as a bumbling incompetent fool anymore. I’d say they’re more likely to be leery of trading with him than they would be salivating to trade with him.
But I do agree with the rest of your post. It would be a strong no on moving any valuable pieces for any available 2B. Plug 2B with an upgrade to Mendick and call it good. I agree with the sentiment on this message board, they don’t have enough prospect pieces to make a meaningful trade. They definitely have no business parting with Kopech, Crochet, or Vaughn (or Madrigal for that matter, though with his injury, I don’t see a trade that would make sense). Put it this way, it better be quite a return if any of them are involved.
Mendick is a terrific defensive 2nd baseman and a slightly below average offensive player. Probably similar to Yolmer Sanchez I guess, so an upgrade is most likely in order. I suspect they will consider a trade for Adam Frazier, but I’m not sure that’s a huge upgrade despite his hot 2021 start.
I don’t want Frazier. He creates a logjam next year. So they’d be buying high on his career year, then selling a rental or a guy coming off a hamstring injury (much less likely). I’d rather they rolled with Mendick and just went after OF and rightie reliever help.
I’m an optimist, and like the idea of a playoff outfield of Jimenez, Robert and Vaughn/Engel, with Eaton, Lamb and Hamilton on the bench… Not sure they need an OF upgrade, but I agree that I don’t want Frazier. If you can get Marte for a reasonable price, I think you trade, otherwise stand pat.
Frazier can play LF or RF next season he isn’t just a 2nd basemen
@bigdad. You know what, even if Frazier has never played an inning of his life, in the outfield, I bet he could go out there and outplay Eloy, defensively.
Big Hurt: What would YOU consider a “reasonable price” for Marte? He’s not coming cheap. You’ve got to keep in mind that he’s under contract through 2024.
Good question, unfortunately I’m pretty stingy with the current roster and don’t think the Sox have enough in the minors to make it interesting. Lambert and Burger plus 1 or 2 lottery tix? Like Thompson? Probably not enough, maybe stand ground
Big Hurt, I’d love for the Sox to get Marte, but there is just no way they are getting him for a package of their prospects, with none of them in the top 100. The price tag would have to include one of Vaughn, Crochet, Kopech. Probably more likely they will trade much less to get a much lesser player than Marte.
Everyone wants Marte it seems like. D’Backs in line for a great return. Other feasible options however could be Adam Frazier, Ryan McMahon (If the Rox are fully tearing down) or Josh Harrison who seems like he could be a very cheap add.
The only way the White Sox get Marte is if they give up MLB talent to do so. They do not have any prospects left in the minors that can compete with the other team’s offers. I wonder if the White Sox would be interested in moving Madrigal as the main piece for Marte. Marte is an overall update and he still has 2 years of control after this season. Similar to the deal that brought Marte to the Dbacks to begin with.
3 more years. Very affordable club options for 23 and 24. As for moving Madrigal, maybe, but then the Sox aren’t addressing their biggest long-term need: RF. They still seem to have a bit of a logjam at 1B/DH, I’d rather they try to start a package with Vaughn, Kelley, and more.
I’m with you, and would do Madrigal, or Vaughn (but not both), and anybody in their minors for Marte. Neither Vaughn nor Madrigal is a guarantee to wind up a better player than Marte. As long as it’s not Kopech or Crochet, I’m all for going for broke to get Marte if they can get him for a package built around Vaughn and their minor league players. Probably dreaming, and is far more likely they get Peralta where talks with the DBacks are concerned. I think is more likely they will deal for an outfielder than a 2b unless they can get a 2b on the cheap. Which would rule out Frazier as well.
Leave the lineup alone. Learn from the Cubs mistakes. (Cease,Jiminez,Torres,LaMahieu,and other young talent traded). Promote from within !
Some kind of package of Burger, Sheets, Adolfo, Burdi, Stiever, Thompson and Dalquist. Arizona needs lots of help.
That’s a Sheet-load of players. I wouldn’t give up all of them, better to reserve some depth. Headliner would be Vaughn, with Kelley, Dalquist, and someone else thrown in. Frees up the logjam for the Sox a little, settles 2B this year and OF for the next three after, and keeps most of the Sox’ prized talent.
No Steve, the Chisox would not consider trading Madrigal for Marte. But they should try to unload Eloy for him. If the Dbacks are silly enough to do it.
Maybe kick around the Rays for help in regards to IF help. Rays have a vast surplus in middle IF talent between Walls, Edwards, Brujan, and Franco. They may be taking inquiries or at least listen to trades regarding Brosseau, Wendle, Diaz and of all Edwards especially. Probs would cost too much. Brosseau not performing rn would probs be a buy low for a decent upside.
I think Eduardo Escobar is more realistic personally. Should cost a lot less than Marte and is a rental.
He’d cost less because he’s less of a difference-maker. League-average bat and glove. Might as well stick with Mendick.
Eduardo if superior to Mendick.
Mendick and Garcia will hold down the fort. Do not overpay in talent .for a replacement..
Well, that sucks. Add one more item to the trade deadline to-do list.
Kind of figured this was coming. I’m sure is heartbreaking to him.
Good news on Eloy yesterday though, which was a huge positive. Sounds like early to mid August is a realistic timeframe when he might be back with the big team, conservatively.
I hope they make a constructive trade, but Eloy should help their struggles against right handed starters when he gets back even if they do not.
Ouch. That hurt.
Will the collective media ever be able to get over themselves and vote for LaRussa for Manager of the Year, as his team holds onto 1st place despite a devastating roster of injuries? We know the answer.
He’s doing well but they are literally 13-18 against teams over .500. He’s caught a huge break that the Twins injuries are even worse and the Indians are to pitchers. Not worth mentioning almost 40 games to be played against KC and Detroit.
They seem to be the only lock to make the playoffs and then he can stake claim to a bigger prize than Manager of the Year, which he won’t get because this team was widely picked to get to the World Series. Boston not so much. But not quite sure that the media would be so kind to Cora.
Spot on Mike127. They are 20-3 against the worst 4 teams in the AL, but have a losing record against 3 potential playoff teams. They are easy prey to right handed pitchers, just like last year. Eloy should help, he might not be enough though. The Twins lost 18 straight in the playoffs for a reason, weak division and inflated record, just like the Sox. The Sox are good and doing well considering their injuries, but are not a World Series contender unless they are at full strength. Hard to know how good they really are when Eloy and Robert would make such a huge difference if they were in there. And now Madrigal as well, sheesh.
I agree. They have a lot more to worry about than just finding a replacement for Madrigal. Their situational hitting is horrible. They can start by dumping Eaton and Lamb when Hamilton comes back. I think Vaughn has a lot of potential but doesn’t quite seem ready for the bigs just yet. I’d send him back to AAA and see what Sheets can do. Collins can follow Vaughn to AAA cuz he’s pretty much useless and been useless for a while now.
They are really, really good and with that pitching staff they can beat anybody in a short series….anybody. I think we have a trend though. Last year they were 21-3 against the Tigers, Royals, and Pirates and a combined 14-22 against the rest of the teams, all of which made the playoffs.
“ He’s caught a huge break that the Twins injuries are even worse”
Worse than losing Eloy, Robert, and now Madrigal? This has to be a joke, right?
They play in the worst division in the game, that was to be expected.
When you play the Yankees and Tampa rays you lose . Can’t play Tigers in playoffs
You sure about that @Mikel Grady?
Of the players listed, only Frazier would be an upgrade.
No, I’d rather have Schoop. Having a very strong year and would be cheaper as a rental, plus wouldn’t create a problem next year once Madrigal returns.
obviously won’t happen, but screw it – call the Nats and try to trade the Charlotte Knights for Trea Turner
Without trading anyone important from the core, I think Eduardo Escobar makes the most sense. Maybe fill 2 needs at once in a deal with Arizona and grab Escobar and a reliever?
Escobar would be a great rental. Wonder what he would cost them to get.
Awful news for Nick. Get well soon.
Glasnow injury opens the door in the East. But if the Jays can’t hang and realize it at the deadline, Sox should absolutely bring Semien back if the price is right.
Always sucks when this happens to anybody. Especially hate it when it’s a guy establishing himself.
Talk about highs and lows these past couple days. The obvious low is Madrigal, but the high is Eloy could very well be back before Sept. That’s huge, especially with Madrigal down for the year. And that’s enough time for Eloy to get his timing down to be dangerous come Oct.
I wouldn’t do anything huge for a replacement at 2B. Obviously an upgrade to Mendick, but I wouldn’t give up a ton just to get a rental. Mendick has good D, so the major dropoff is the BA, which with Eloy back before/by Sept should offset that come Oct. And if the Sox are lucky enough to get Robert back this year, that really helps to offset the Madrigal loss (but let’s not get ahead of ourselves).
I’m not saying don’t trade for a 2B. By all means, if they can get a good 2B rental without giving up a ton in return, absolutely go for it. Kopech, Crochet, and Vaughn should not be included in any trade, because all three could be All-Stars on an annual basis once/if they ultimately figure it out (definitely not for a 2B).
Sloppy editing on my part: Kopech, Crochet, and Vaughn should not be included in any trade for a 2B.
I would be very reluctant to put any of those three in any trade, but definitely not for a 2B, not with Madrigal coming back at full health next April.
They should deal with the Orioles for Freddy Galvis. Solid defensively, having decent offensive season, and on inexpensive contract. Would probably not cost more than a single prospect.
Unless the player they get is a clear upgrade over Madrigal, spending farm for replacement makes little sense.
Today…. Every trade scenario is unrealistic because the Sox don’t have the prospects, and it will cost 2-3 players off their mlb roster.
Next month…… the trade occurs and the Sox overpaid and got ripped off by trading too many prospects.
Madrigal did awesome this year! get healthy and get stronger! definitely a season that he can build on, but he needs to continue to add some power to his game…. He has proven his elite contact ability over his 300 MLB at bats…. his 2 HRs this season is a great sign that he can eventually develop into an 8-10 HR guy… Get stronger Madrigal!
Even though today’s win was ugly, it was nice to see them take 2 of 3 against the Rays. Yes, it’s only June, and it’s not life or death if they lost today’s game. But it’s big in the fact that they need to start winning consistently against teams they could be facing in the playoffs. They need to keep it rolling against the Astros this weekend.
Hey guys Mendick scored the winning run in todays game, and made some decent plays in the field. Sox will do fine.