After losing 3 of four to the Royals, the White Sox was 13 games behind dead last in the AL central. Some one will have to pull the life support cord on this season. Whether GM Rick Hahn has the authority to do so is another question.
In all likelihood, Jeff Samardzija
will be moved. The best-case scenario for the White Sox is that clubs
who are looking for starting pitching, primarily in the National League
where Samardzija has been a good fit, start upping the ante by bidding
against each other.
But Samardzija doesn’t figure to be the only regular the White Sox can use to make deals. Jose Quintana, Alexei Ramirez, Adam LaRoche, Zach Duke and Adam Eaton all figure to find themselves mentioned in rumors over the next 12 days.
The Cardinals lost their first baseman. It has a talented farm system, so a team like that would be a fit for LaRoche.
Any team looking at Cole Hamels and his $84 million contract burden would see more value in Quintana to shore up their rotation.
Teams looking for a lead off hitter could see Eaton as an upgrade or defensive bench player for the long September grind.
Teams are constantly trying to upgrade worn down bullpens, so Duke could have an easy landing spot elsewhere.
Pundits claim it will be a Seller's market (more teams looking to buy parts than sell assets). If the White Sox want to move players, it is better to do it sooner than later.
