Chicago White Sox Eye Opportunities Ahead of Trade Deadline

The Chicago White Sox have completed two trades this month. However, neither has impacted their major-league roster immediately. With Monday’s trade deadline fast approaching, there is still time for moves. Currently, with a 1½-game lead in the American League Central, they have the opportunity to be buyers.

Manager Will Venable expressed confidence in the team’s approach. “I expect the deadline to come and go, and (general manager) Chris (Getz) and the group to do everything they can to make our team better,” Venable said. “He has shown commitment every step of the way.” Venable emphasized Getz’s daily efforts to improve the team. If there is a chance to do so, he trusts that Getz will seize it.

Potential Targets for the White Sox

The White Sox could focus on one or more of these areas:

Catcher

The team has experienced limited offensive production from its catchers. Injuries have played a role, with Kyle Teel absent for a significant part of the season. Teel, appearing in only 19 games, is on the IL with a left ankle sprain and has a batting average of .190. The timeline for his return ranges from six to twelve weeks.

Edgar Quero and Drew Romo have taken on most catching duties. Quero is hitting .181, while Romo has a .137 average. Both have struggled at the plate. The trade market for catchers offers some options like Cincinnati Reds’ Tyler Stephenson and Athletics’ Jonah Heim. Stephenson is hitting .248, while Heim has a .220 average.

Starting Pitchers

The White Sox pitching rotation is facing strain from accumulating innings. Davis Martin, Sean Burke, and Anthony Kay have high innings compared to their last season records. Key veteran pitches include Erick Fedde and rookie Noah Schultz. Adding rotation depth is a priority.

Los Angeles Angels’ Reid Detmers and New York Mets’ Clay Holmes are potential additions. Detmers holds a 4.03 ERA, while Holmes clocks in at a 2.39 ERA. Holmes offers experience as a starter and reliever.

Relief Pitchers

Sox relievers boast the fourth-best ERA in majors since late June. Jordan Hicks and others have played high-leverage roles effectively. Tanner McDougal and José Urquidy offer potential help from the farm system. Urquidy recently had a strong start with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights.

The team lacks a designated closer, raising the possibility of pursuing San Diego Padres’ Mason Miller. The Padres remain close in the National League wild-card race.

According to Venable, players have maintained focus on immediate goals rather than external distractions from the trade deadline. His confidence stems from players concentrating on strategies and improvements.

Schedule Update

The start time for the White Sox game against the Minnesota Twins on Sept. 6 at Rate Field has been changed to 5:20 p.m. The game will be broadcast on Peacock and NBCSN, altering its original 1:10 p.m. schedule.