The White Sox announced that second baseman Nick Madrigal is going on the 60-day injured list with a proximal tear of his right hamstring. Outfielder Brian Goodwin has been selected to the active and 40-man rosters in his place. Season-ending surgery is a possibility for Madrigal, general manager Rick Hahn tells reporters (including James Fegan of the Athletic). Madrigal has a complete tear of one hamstring tendon and a partial tear in another, per Hahn, who says the club will decide on a course of action for his rehab in about a week.
Madrigal left last night’s game after coming up lame while running to first base on a grounder. While there’s obviously still hope he can avoid surgery and make it back this season, his immediate placement on the 60-day IL demonstrates that even the best-case scenario involves a months-long absence. He won’t be eligible to return until the second week of August, and the Sox surely wouldn’t have placed Madrigal directly on the 60-day IL if there were any chance he’d be able to recover any sooner than that.
A former top five draft pick and well-regarded (if a bit divisive) prospect, Madrigal has begun his major league career in strong fashion. The diminutive infielder made his MLB debut last July, and he’s proven a highly productive player from that point forward. Madrigal has picked up 324 plate appearances over the past two years and combined to hit .317/.358/.406 (116 wRC+).
Madrigal’s quite an outlier in the modern game, which has skewed toward a three true outcomes style of play. The 24-year-old hits for virtually no power and rarely walks, but he’s one of the game’s preeminent contact hitters. His 7.9% strikeout rate this season is the second-lowest out of 142 qualified hitters (only Kevin Newman punches out less often), while his 91.8% contact rate leads that group. Overall, Madrigal’s atypical approach has paid off, as he’s hit for a high enough batting average to be a strong offensive player despite the lack of power.
He becomes the third young White Sox regular to require a lengthy IL stint. Left fielder Eloy Jiménez hasn’t played this season after straining a pectoral in Spring Training. His initial diagnosis called for a four-to-five month absence, so it’s possible he’ll return at some point in August or September. Center fielder Luis Robert went on the IL in early May due to a hip flexor strain. Robert’s injury shut him down from all baseball activities for three-to-four months, so it’s still not clear if he’ll be able to make it back this season.
In spite of those injuries, the South Siders find themselves in a good spot in the standings. At 37-24, Chicago leads the AL Central by four games over the Indians. FanGraphs gave the Sox an 83.1% chance of securing the division title entering the day. Madrigal’s injury figures to knock those odds down a bit, but their strong roster and early lead give them some breathing room.
That figures to reduce the urgency to acquire a second baseman from outside the organization, at least if further testing reveals Madrigal could return at some point late in the year. If the White Sox do wind up looking for an external upgrade, Adam Frazier (Pirates), Jonathan Schoop (Tigers) and Josh Harrison (Nationals) are among the second base-capable players who might find themselves on the market in advance of the July 30 deadline. For now, it seems Leury García and Danny Mendick are slated to man the keystone in Chicago.
Goodwin signed a minor league deal with the Sox last month. The 30-year-old has a useful .250/.317/.455 slash line in parts of five MLB seasons and is capable of playing all three outfield positions. Since joining the organization, Goodwin has put up a .244/.316/.395 mark in 95 plate appearances with Triple-A Charlotte.
Sigh.
I know. Sure, other teams have more players on the IL this season, but in terms of severity, the Sox have had it the worst so far this season. Potentially Eloy, Robert, and Madrigal could be out for the rest of the season. Most teams would be crippled by that. It shows how strong that lineup has been so far, even if they are inconsistent (which I suppose is expected with Eloy at 0 games this year and Robert already out a month now). Supposedly there’s hope for Eloy and Robert to make it back this season, but hope is all it is at this point.
Right now the saving grace for the Sox is their pitching has been pretty healthy so far (Kopech the main injury so far). Lynn was out briefly, but that didn’t affect them too much. As long as the pitching stays intact and they don’t get anymore serious injuries offensively, they’re still in fairly good shape. They can’t afford to lose Yoan and Abreu to anything significant–especially Yoan (Vaughn would take over 1B if Abreu got injured, but no one of significance to take over for Yoan if he goes down).
Don’t get me wrong, losing Madrigal hurts badly, but they’re still generally in good shape for now.
Thats a big blow for the Whitesox, amazing defense and bats over 300, hard to replace that
Adam Frazier.
What other problems can I solve for you?
Hey, you’re good at this. Perfect fit.
Ok RunDMC, how are you with Collective Bargaining Agreements? Asking for a friend.
Oof…how’s about we start off with something a little more attainable like peace in the middle east — where there’s no DH.
So what does it take to get Frazier- I’m thinking Reynaldo Lopez & Micker Adolfo. As Sox fan I’d actually like to replace Collins as backup catcher too so I’d go big deal with Pirates. Frazier, Brian Reynolds and Jacob Stallings for Zack Collins, Reynaldo Lopez, Micker Adolfo or Blake Rutherford & a pitching prospect.
Lopez does not look like he will pitch in the majors this year, I question if he will ever. I don’t think he is even a throw-in at this point. They will have to do better than that.
Parting with Frazier and Reynolds in the same trade would probably be a bad idea for the Pirates. Reynolds turned 26 in January. I’d hang onto him for a while longer. Frazier makes sense because he’ll be 30 in December and is at max value right now, leading the NL in hits and doubles. Teams other than the White Sox might also be interested, giving them a chance to compare offers and take the one they like best.
Pittsburgh could get a massive haul for Reynolds, Stallings and Frazier. This is a tablescraps package. try again.
BTV trade generator says CWS needs to send Cease, Crochet and Bummer to get those three. Start there.
There’s no way the Pirates trade Reynolds. He and Hayes are their only untouchables.
Pirates are in no hurry to trade away Reynolds or Stallings. Lol
Whosyourmomma lives in Fantasyland. You might get Frazier for Rutherford and Kelley.
The White Sox do not have the prospects to trade for Frazier.
Why would the White Sox want to get rid of Collins when he has been catching great games this season, especially he caught for Cease and Kopech when he was coming up in the minors? Seriously, Collins caught Rodon’s no hitter and people want to get rid of him. Blasphemy!
frazier is probably more available than people think. 1) not a sustainable breakout; 2) one more season of control, and based on this “totally real breakout,” pittsburgh is going to have to pay him probably $9 million next year. they absolutely do not want to do that. they’ll take a rutherford headliner.
@BeeVeeTee: I agree.
The White Sox can ill-afford losing Zack Collins without a corresponding move at the catcher position, one that would preferably happen after the season. They lack system depth at catcher with zero of their top-30 prospects playing the position. Last season they had an abundance of depth at the MLB level with All-Stars Yasmani Grandal and James McCann sharing the load and with Collins as their #3. It would behoove the organization to address the catching position in next month’s MLB Amateur Draft, during the next international signing period or via free agency or trades this coming offseason.
Swapping Pirates starting catcher Jacob Stallings out for Zack Collins in a proposed package trade would certainly upgrade the White Sox #2 role behind the plate but might make more sense this offseason and not next month considering the rapport the latter has with the team’s pitching staff.
They do have the prospects just won’t use them for Frazier.
They do not unless the Cherrington FO values the young Sox prospects differently than I do. Why trade Frazier for a player or players who won’t make the Top-30 Pirates Prospect list? That makes no sense.
It does help a desperate team like the Sox that some top Prospects in the Pirates’ system are injured. But, even then, the Sox lack prospects to trade as replacements.
Sss847- Please predict the future for the WS since you have predicted the future for Frazier.Sometimes decent players do actually get better even if they are not extremely talented.Frazier is a good ML player and may very well stay as close to this year’s results as previous ones.
If BC has any brains he will not take pennies on the dollar for his good players.
The WS are not going to pay nearly enough in trade for Stallings to be a backup catcher as he is one of the top three most important Pirates now.
What are you a Yankees fan? Do you really think the Pirates are going to trade away 3 0f their best players for the likes of Zack Collins and Reynaldo Lopez?
Lamar- I have found over the years that many of these posters have no clue as to the value of their own team’s players let alone anyone else’s.
This particular poster is certainly not alone in this regard.
That is one of the reasons that I do not speculate thusly because one has to be realistic and very familiar with their own team’s both major and minor league players let alone those of any of the other 29 teams.
One has to almost be a ML GM to have that kind of information handy.
It is fun to speculate though if you have the time.It amuses me that some take it so seriously though.
It is an unfortunate blow to the Chisox. But no one on that team comes close to playing ‘amazing defense’, except Luis Robert.
Adam Engel just returned from his own prolonged hamstring rehab and is also an “amazing” defender in CF as the current replacement for Luis Robert.
As for Nick Madrigal, he will be a future Gold Glove candidate at 2B along with being a perennial contender for the AL Batting Title as soon as next season. He’s certainly not achieving the “Ronald Torreyes” comp you have given him since he made his White Sox debut last season.
Keuchel has won 4 gold gloves. Granted, it’s not a premium position and only once every five games, but that has to be counted as good defense.
Engel and Moncada. Often amazing defense.
Dogbone- Got to agree. I have seen Madrigal as pretty good on the double play so far but he still ain’t nothing special on the D overall.
@PeteWard8: As fans, we both go back to the White Sox “Go-Go” era, at least the latter stages during the 1960’s. During that time span, who stands out in your mind as an elite White Sox defender at 2B while also contributing positive numbers as a hitter?
At this stage of his young career, I will take Nick Madrigal in a heartbeat over any other White Sox second baseman during the past 60 years. White Sox beat writer Scott Merkin had this debate last year as part of mlb.com’s coverage of each team’s greatest players at specific positions: mlb.com/news/white-sox-second-basemen-all-time-ran….
Two Hall of Fame second baseman topped the White Sox list, the legendary Eddie Collins and fan favorite Nellie Fox. Roberto Alomar Jr. was another HOF 2B who played for the White Sox briefly but it was at the end of his great career and when he was a shell of his former self.
Placing #3 was another fan favorite, switch-hitter Ray Durham who was a solid force on offense with his blend of speed and power but was a defensive liability at 2B for most of his 14-year career including his first 8 on the Southside of Chicago. After Durham, the drop off at 2B is steep with another fan favorite from the 2005 World Series team Tadahito Iguchi placing 4th as a 30-year old Japanese rookie who spent just 2-1/2 seasons with the team.
In my opinion, Madrigal will ultimately reach the #3 spot and potentially surpass Fox with his far better athleticism. I believe with good health Madrigal be a perennial contender for the AL Batting Title along with being in consideration for the Gold Glove Award each season. Madrigal’s top-two tools coming out of OSU where his elite contact hitting skills and his projected defense at 2B after being transitioned from SS. He was a plus defender at 2B for the White Sox as he rapidly progressed through their minor league system and should continue that at the big league level with more experience. Madrigal has already showed marked defensive improvement from earlier this season along with becoming a better base runner which was another plus attribute of his as an amateur and as a significant base stealing threat during his minor league ascension.
Madrigal defense is not “amazing” but he gives real solid ABs almost every time. The notion of trading for Adam Frazier makes a ton of sense and hopefully that can happen. They have Tim Beckham & Marco Hernandez (think that’s his name) who have big league experience.
“Amazing defense” is quite an overstatement — at least, to this point in his career. Metrics are split on him; with FanGraphs grading him just a cut above average and Baseball Reference at -0.3 WAR defensively. I would lean towards somewhere in the middle as a fan who watches him almost every day; although he was making a lot of progress and looked to be gaining confidence the more the year went on..
So yeah, he’s been just fine in the field, it’s his bat that will be sorely missed and I don’t think people realize just how good he has been for us at the plate.
tragic for Madrigal he was having a great year. hopefully he has a speedy recovery
This is literally heartbreaking, not just because I’m a Sox fan, but because I really enjoy watching Nick play. I hope for a speedy and complete recovery.
I hope your heart surgery goes well too! Otherwise, please look up the definition of “literally”. Sorry, I’m that guy.
I actually think you need to look up the definition of heartbreaking. Literally was an okay choice of words there.
Tribe——I read it completely differently….I got a chuckle out of 2334 pretty much wishing HIMSELF a speedy recovery of being heartbroken over a baseball player getting hurt.
Who cares about Madrigal? JB needs heart surgery!!! Thoughts and prayers
Who is JB
Duh!
Literally was the wrong word. Not needed at all. Unfortunately, people continue to overuse that word. They seem to think that using it makes them look smarter when it actually does the opposite.
You all literally need to get laid…lol
You offering?
Is Garcia healthy now? Or are we stuck with Mustache Boy Mendick?
Speaking of mustaches, they could always give Tyler Saladino a call. Haven’t heard much about him since his release from the KBO Samsung Lions last summer.
Then again the White Sox could call the Atlanta Braves to try and ‘pry’ away former Gold Glove 2B and White Sox fan favorite Yolmer Sanchez for his annual reunion on the Southside of Chicago this summer. Sanchez is currently with the Braves AAA team in Gwinnett. Sanchez also has ample experience playing alongside SS Tim Anderson, both at 2B and 3B since TA debuted in 2016.
Garcia has been healthy for awhile now. Although, he hasn’t been very good this season.
It’d be nice if the Sox swung a deal to get Josh Harrison from the Nats or if they wanted to aim a bit higher — Adam Frazier from the Pirates would be nice. While Mendick is okay, I actually wouldn’t mind bringing back Yolmer Sanchez (assuming he’s still unsigned).
I love Mendick
Team need to start looking for trade options. Lineup is undeniably thin now.
I also don’t understand why the team continues to not give chances to its younger players. Goodwin has been awful in Charlotte. Sheets should have been give. The shot.
I’m guessing with leury moving to second, they want another CF to face righties.
Switch Moncada back to second and bring up Burger.
I don’t know if you want to let burger anywhere near that field with the number of leg injuries we are seeing out of nowhere.
Or out Lamb at 1st and give Sheets some run in RF.
Burger has been hitting well in AAA. Chuck Garfien just had a post cast with Burger a few days ago and Burger sounds like he was ready to prove himself. In the mean time, Burger trimmed down a lot and has been playing great at third base. It would not hurt to bring up Burger right now as a potential future piece or trade piece since he is already on the 40 man roster this season.
I totally agree with that. Potential trade piece at best. Other than that there’s no room for him on a completely healthy Sox roster.
Burger still striking out too much.
BVT-Burger has evidently been consuming a lot lower amount of burgers than previously.
I do not want to see Yoan Moncada back at 2B. He’s been excellent at 3B since his transition to the hot corner, both defensively AND offensively. Leave him be. The White Sox can figure out better alternative, many of which have already been proposed on this thread including my favorite of versatile Pirates 2B Adam Frazier.
What about Todd Frazier while were talking Frazier?
That reunion will never happen with Adam Eaton on the team. There is severe bad blood between the two dating back to when they were White Sox teammates in 2016. It has escalated since both moved on as teammates: nbcsports.com/washington/nationals/history-adam-ea…
I just want to see the Sox give Burger a chance. Burger worked himself to get to this point in his career after two major injuries while losing weight. There is a great chance we see the Sox bring up Burger in the next few weeks to pimp him out for potential trade bait or maybe use Vaughn as trade bait. The Sox have some good players to make one move without disrupting the core right now.
While I do not want to look like a vulture, but would Schoop be interesting for Chicago? He is an above-average to good 2B and will be a FA in October. Trades among division rivals might be rare, but this one would not be a blockbuster.
Gruß,
BSHH
Schoop is hitting, the question would be his defense. He has played twice as many games at 1B than at 2B this season though I’m not sure if that is out of necessity based on the Tigers roster or for other reasons
Jonathan Schoop has owned White Sox pitching the last few seasons, especially at Guaranteed Rate Field. He’d be another solid potential short term replacement for Nick Madrigal at 2B along with Adam Frazier.
I suspect the White Sox will also continue to monitor two of their own veteran 2B candidates at their AAA Charlotte affiliate, former overall #1 pick Tim Beckham and versatile former Red Sox Marco Hernandez. Beckham hasn’t played MLB since his 80-game PED suspension as a Mariner in August of 2019. He did not play for any MLB affiliate last season and I’m not sure if he has any more time left to serve in 2021.
Gordon Beckham said he was willing to return as long as he can bat 10th.
dang, tough break. do they want Didi?
Goodwin sucks just like Jake Lamb. Put Leury at 2nd full time. Use Mendick as the primary utility infielder. Bring up Burger as the second utility infielder. When Hamilton comes back release Lamb cuz he totally sucks.
Yeah, the Lamborghini looked like Lamb chops last night.
A utility infielder must be able to play at least two positions by definition. Burger struggles playing one.
Any better ideas? Trade the farm system for a rental? Keep Lamb chops? I think seeing what they have in Burger isn’t a bad idea considering the Sox injury situation at the moment.
I’m not saying Burger shouldn’t get a look, but he shouldn’t be used as a utility infielder any more than Billy Hamilton should be hitting cleanup.
Lamb doesn’t suck. Wtf you talkin bout Willis.
Bummer. I actually liked watching this kid play when the Tribe plays against them. I love his approach to hitting. Reminds me of someone coming up through the minors for Cleveland, Tyler Freeman.
Ugh!
Don’t bring up Bummer!
Goodwin was solid for the Angels when he was there. Hopefully he can contribute with regular playing time.
Just seven qualified .300 hitters in the American League and Madrigal and Anderson are two of them.
Kind of crazy how hard it is to hit 300 yet how insignificant it is when that’s all you can do. Madrigal was having a decent season but far from great as he has virtually no homers or SB and is 70th in the league in runs scored.
Michael Brantley falls into that category too.
A 118 wRC+ from a 2B with good defense is pretty darn good even if you don’t think it’s great.
“70th in the league in runs scored” Didn’t he bat 8 for the first month and a half…with Billy Hamilton behind him? Not gonna score a lot in that situation. So glad no one with 2 braincells uses runs to determine a players ability.
Madrigal has been the White Sox primary #9 hitter for most of this season. With Adam Eaton struggling in recent weeks, manager Tony La Russa has elevated Madrigal to the #2 role versus LHP. Madrigal has also been the White Sox leadoff hitter on a few occasions recently when Tim Anderson was hurting or in need of a day off.
Madrigal is the prototypical/traditional ‘throwback’ #2 hitter, in the mold of former White Sox HOF 2B Nellie Fox. If La Russa continues at the helm, I’d wager that Madrigal will be spending more time in the #2 role in the coming years.
And if you drive through tiny St Thomas in south central Pa to this day you will see signs welcoming you to the home of Nellie Fox.
Gut feeling—-LaRussa doesn’t manage another game of Madrigal’s. Win or lose, my money says LaRussa is a one and done,. Win it all, he rides happily into the sunset. Lose at any point during the playoffs–he will, justly or unjustly take the blame and Jerry will make a move..
Same big gut I have—Madrigal ends up with surgery and is done for the year.
(and Aaron, Madrigal will be in that #2 hole no matter who manages–I’m with you on that)
Brantley averages like 40 doubles when he plays a full season.
@bot
Madrigal has a .774 OPS at the time of his injury. Here is three notable players and their OPS after 60+ games in ’21:
Machado .734 OPS
Goldschmidt .732 OPS
Lindor .650 OPS
What do they have in common? All three fairly recently signed contracts in excess of $100MM. Yes, it’s only been 2 months, but I guess Madrigal’s numbers aren’t so bad after all this year.
Moncada is not far behind that .300 average. Moncada’s OBP is sick!
I’m not sure I agree with the lack of power comments in the article. He was actually starting to hit the ball harder over the last few weeks and picking up more XBH. Plus he’s a .300 hitter. I’ve enjoyed seeing somebody with his sort of game on a regular basis.
He has 2 HR’s!
I think his 2HRs to date are significant because he is a developing player… some power, any power, or at least the threat of a home run makes a big difference…. I don’t ever anticipate 15-20 HRs a year out of Madrigal, but 5-10 a year would be huge if he can maintain a .300 BA
Some people think that batting average — actually hitting the ball — isn’t important. These same people also complain that the current MLB batting average of .237 is tied for the all-time low.
Madrigal obviously doesn’t have light tower power, but he’s been driving the ball more and obviously a few got out. I’d be happy with him having no homers though because he really helps balance our lineup. His bat to ball skills are insane.
Prior to exiting last night’s game, Madrigal had extended his hitting streak to seven games, going 10-for-27 (.370). He had also batted.359/.412/.551 with nine extra-base hits and 10 RBI over his last 21 games. For the season, Madrigal was hitting .291 with two strikes and batted .302 when behind in the count at any point. while earning his “Nicky Two Strikes” nickname from White Sox television play-by-play man Jason Benetti.
There was an article on nbcsports linking the Sox and D-Backs. It mentioned Peralta as one possibility, but the other it mentioned was the versatile Ketel Marte. In addition to OF he has played quite a bit of 2b, is a similar multi position player to Garcia. He would cost more than a rental, but if they could get him without Vaughn, Kopech, Crochet, or Cease, building a package around Sheets and/or Burger would be well worth it. He could help their 2b issues for this year, and OF issues going forward. Only 27, switch hitter, and they would have him through 2023. Would be a great fit if they could get him. Asking price might be too high though.
If I’m the Dbacks, I would want two of those four for Marte. He’s a star player just entering his prime. Gotta give to get.
JHomes, where do you Sox fans get the notion that you’re going to get a player like Marte AND Peralta for poor minor league talent. Seriously do you ever watch much baseball except getting your ‘info’ from the pathetically biased Sox TV announcers? I mean this guy Burger is getting older and hasn’t ever proven a thing except that he likes to eat a lot.
@dog I never said both, first of all. The article I read mentioned both players as possible interest for the Sox, was from nbcsporschicago and noted LaRussa’s ties to Arizona. I did not realize how good Marte was, just took a closer look at his career numbers. I doubt they would part with what it would take to get him. Peralta is almost 34, not performing well and looks like maybe his best days are behind him. I hope they pass on him. He is not going to bring good minor league talent I don’t think while having a weak season and looking like maybe starting age related decline.
Yup… the same Dogboner, who spent all offseason talking about how overrated the Sox were and were nothing more than a .500 team.
Whatever that moron claims, you can pretty much assume the opposite.
Look through the stats of the rest their top 30 prospects. That farm has peaked and is now toast.
Marte has 3 years of control at one of the most team friendly salaries in baseball. They’d require cease Vaughn and prob 2 19 year old flame throwers like their # 1 prospect Kelley. Dbacks have no need to trade him unless they are completely blown away
I’d give up relievers we have on the MLB squad to plug a hole, but I’m not interested in trading any of our starting pitching.
Peralta? I’m not giving up anything of value for a guy with that slash.
Marte? They’ll find a different team willing to give up a haul for that guy. I hope it’s not the Sox.
First Madigral separated his shoulder with trying to slide into third base last year and now he tore his hamstring running out a grounder to reach first base.
And Madrigal lost much of his senior year to injury. His body type just isn’t built for the 162 grind and this team plans to play in the next few Octobers. They need a dynamite middle infield bench piece if they want to count on Madrigal.
Nick Madrigal is hardly an anomaly when it comes to injuries on the White Sox or in MLB these days. How many seasons, be it in the minors or majors have top young White Sox players avoided stints on the inured list including Tim Anderson, Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert? We are talking about 5 of the White Sox top core position players. It’s pretty evident that the ChiSox are hardly alone when it comes to players spending significant time on the IL.
Madigral hurt himself twice running the bases! That’s the only the thing I am pointing out right now. Robert hurt himself trying to run out an infield single as well. There is nothing wrong with trying to beat out a throw or get that extra base with doing a head first slide to get there, but damn these young players are learning sometimes too much hustle can cause injuries.
I think when a tear of the tendon happens, the only way to repair it is surgery. I am not a doctor however, so I am probably wrong.
This season is a war of attrition.
I’m not thrilled about of the choices above. Schoop, Frazier or Harrison are not worth trading key farm hands. If they are giving one them away, fine, if not I can live with Mendick/Garcia combo for now again IF Jimenez and Robert return and ready to go by August 15th. That’s rehabilitated and ready to go we can survive. Is Madrigal snake bit injury wise like Jimenez? If we remember Madrigal was hurt last year also. Mendick/Garcia did a decent job. Granted it was a 60 game season. We’ll now consider this a 100 game season. I have confidence in Hahn and if the right player at the right price is available if Madrigal is done for the season he’ll make the right moves. Mendick got some big hits last year and played decent defense.
It should also be noted that Leury Garcia is not immune to injuries either. He finished last season on the 60-day IL, sustaining a sprained thumb less than a week after Madrigal returned from his own shoulder injury in mid-August. Garcia has been no stranger to the injury bug as a White Sox reserve. I just checked out his transaction page since his trade from the Rangers in 2013 and counted 12 different IL stints including 3 separate ones in 2018 for 2 hamstring and one knee injury.
Goodwin should not even be on the White Sox.The Pirates had him in ST and should have kept him over the group of outfield knuckleheads that they trotted out there.He is a decent player who will help the White Sox and would have been like having an all star in the outfield on the Pirates.
No need to panic and overpay. More players will become available over the next few weeks. Garcia/Mendick for the time being, and getting Engel back is huge for the outfield. Totally under the radar player who is going to produce for the Sox.
There’s also the waiver wire.
i don’t know if this part has been mentioned play Jake Lamb at 3rd and moncada shifts back to second. if not back up the truck to the dbacks for peraltal, marte and Escobar
All of them? Per BTV, Marte’s value alone is 74.1. Offering Giolito (74.0) would be roughly fair. Sox wouldn’t get Marte without offering at least Kopech and more. I know you have to give value to get value, but the Sox don’t have enough depth to deal position players and I wouldn’t like them to give up that much in pitching. I think Peralta is an ok target, but I’d go after Haniger before him.
Well, this sucks. I’m really hoping he doesn’t need surgery. If he does and we find out Robert won’t be ready this year, maybe the Sox should largely stand pat at the deadline instead of gutting the farm to add an OF, 2B and reliever. With that rotation and a lineup featuring TA, Moncada, Eloy, and Abreu, they’d still have some small chance at winning it all, but wouldn’t be mortgaging their future for a year when their chances wouldn’t be all that great.
Granted, some deals can be surprising per BTV (White Sox could fairly offer Lopez for Peralta and Clarke from the D’backs and fill two of their biggest holes for a guy they don’t need), but I doubt such a deal would materialize in real life.
If they could get even mediocre bench depth for Lopez I am all for that. Good change of scenery candidate.
In that scenario, Peralta would take over an OF spot, at least until Eloy’s back, probably after, too. And Lopez needs to change something. He has all the raw talent he could ever need; there’s just something in his head that keeps him from utilizing it.
I think Lopez has close to zero trade value right now. He has been a disaster the past 2 1/2 years, and is doing so poorly at AAA that he looks like a good bet to never pitch in the majors again. I don’t see any team asking for a guy who has been awful since 2018 and is putting up numbers that are beyond terrible in the minors, except as a throw-in.
Heuer, Collins, and Sheets for Haniger. Who says no?
Sox get an OF controllable through next year (M’s probably aren’t a playoff team next year and, if they are, it’s because their other OF prospects are shining, so either way, he’s expendable). M’s get a high-upside reliever, catcher who could be their starter (and likely would be their backup), and 1B who could become their starter. They don’t have a lot of depth at those last two positions. BTV values are 21.9 going to M’s, 23 going to Sox, so a minor throw-in or cash could be added to even it out.
What is the appeal of Haniger to us? People keep mentioning him but what does he bring that the team is missing?
An RF bat. An OPS that’s about 170 points higher than Eaton. A decent eye at the plate. Reasonable defense, though nothing to write home about. Overall, a solid improvement at the Sox’ weakest position.
A productive bat.
I was thinking about which teams would be the best fits for Haniger the other day, and I think at this point the White Sox are about as good a fit as any other team. They have the spare pieces needed to get a deal done, and Haniger can replace Eaton in RF next season after Eloy and Robert return. If the White Sox add Haniger and get all of their other starters fully healthy for the start of next season, that’d be a Hell of a lineup.
@HBan, exactly what I’m thinking. If they re-sign Rodon or Lynn, slide Kopech into the rotation, that’s a very scary team.
screw it, try jake burger at 2nd base
Too bad. Madrigal was one of the guys I was hoping the RS would target when they were trading Betts. I like Arroyo, but at the time, a high-OBP guy to lead off, and play GG-level defense at 2nd, was a perfect fit.
I’m pretty happy with the Jeter Downs acquisition and believe he may have an even higher ceiling than Madrigal, but I like Madrigal a lot too and can see him being a great leadoff hitter for a long time.
Brutal. Whether you are a White Sox fan or not, they have a very exciting young team and it has been very frustrating to watch their young offensive core get decimated by injuries so far this season. Madrigal seemed to just be hitting his stride, too.
“Madrigal left last night’s game after coming up lame while running to first base on a grounder.”
I don’t want to sound like those “old school” fans who chronically understate the potential for injury in baseball every time a player gets hurt, but it does seem that recently there have been more such injuries in the act of baserunning than I’m accustomed to hearing about (e.g., George Springer, Mike Trout, Byron Buxton, Phillip Evans, Ender Inciarte, Max Fried, Elieser Hernandez, Justin Steele, Rob Refsnyder, and now Madrigal).
Rumor mill. Starlin Castro on the way to White Sox. Prospects and first salary dump for Nats.