Levine: White Sox Still Set Up For Big Trades Ahead
By Bruce Levine--
(CBS) The winner of the Winter Meetings this past week was none other than the White Sox, whose front office got their player development play jump-started in a big way over a two-day period in which they acquired seven quality prospects to replenish their farm system.
Five the the seven prospects the White Sox received in trading ace left-hander Chris Sale to the Red Sox and outfielder Adam Eaton to the Nationals were pitchers, several of them of the blue-chip variety, including right-hander Lucas Giolito and right-hander Michael Kopech.
The Eaton deal could really be a steal for the White Sox. He's a plus statistical player with advanced metrics that are highly valued by many different teams. He plays with a high energy, and his baseball IQ grew over his three years in Chicago, where he took on a leadership responsibility that he frankly wasn't ready for after Paul Konerko retired following the 2014 season.
Also stepping up as a vocal leader was Sale, and both had to do so before their time. Leaders ascend to the role over time; it's not a responsibility that can be mandated. Eaton and Sale will be better positioned with their new teams, where such a burden won't be foisted upon them.
The impressive cache of young players the White Sox received may be only the tip of the iceberg for the White Sox as they pursue another seven to 10 young players. The "for sale" sign is hanging on the likes of left-hander Jose Quintana, third baseman Todd Frazier, first baseman Jose Abreu, outfielder Melky Cabrera and closer David Robertson.
All of those pieces are attractive in an active marketplace.
"We have had a lot of interesting conversations on many different fronts about our players," general manager Rick Hahn said. "Yes, we do have reliever pieces and starter pieces that are appealing to various teams throughout the league. We are certainly deeply engaged with teams on a number of different fronts."
It's the signing of free-agent closer Kenley Jansen that's worth keeping an eye on. Whom Jansen signs with could well impact the White Sox's next big move, as the teams that lose out on him could then turn their interest to Robertson. The White Sox don't have a need for a shutdown closer making $25 million over the next two seasons that they'll be rebuilding in.
The Marlins, Dodgers and Nationals are all in the market for a new closer, and only one will give the big money to Jansen, who's likely to get around $18 million annually on a long-term deal. The other two teams could then be interested in Robertson's more modest contract.
Robertson has converted 71 of 85 save opportunities in two seasons with the White Sox in which he's been reliable but not dominant. He had a 3.41 ERA in 2015 and a 3.47 ERA last season.
Robertson and Quintana alone should bring back another four to six highly ranked minor league players. So keep an eye out, as Chicago's South Side could continue to be the "Let's make a deal" capital of the baseball world over the next few months.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score and CBSChicago.com. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
