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1 massive MLB trade deadline mistake White Sox must avoid making
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The Chicago White Sox have been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball this season. Just two years removed from enduring the worst season in the expansion era, the South Siders are fighting for first place in the American League Central. The rise to contention and prominence has been nothing short of remarkable.
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However, as well as the White Sox have played — they have a 45-42 and are just one of five American League teams over .500 — general manager Chris Getz has to know that the team is still growing and getting better. The White Sox could very well win the AL Central or at least earn a spot as a Wild Card team, but they are not anything close to the team they will be in 2027 (assuming no significant work stoppage) or 2028. They are not in the category of the Tampa Bay Rays or New York Yankees in the American League or the Los Angeles Dodgers , Atlanta Braves , Milwaukee Brewers or Philadelphia Phillies in the National League.
The White Sox are not going to win the World Series this year and Getz should not make the major mistake of trading any of his best prospects to find a starting pitcher who can improve the rotation the rest of the season or a relief pitcher who appears to be a short-term answer.
White Sox must keep their elite prospects
Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
The White Sox have already promoted some of their best prospects — including Braden Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Sam Antonacci — and they need to let these players continue to ripen and become stars or at least key members of the team. It's clear the White Sox have needs, and there are second-line prospects that could be used as trade bait. However, if Getz wants this team to reach its potential, he must be disciplined in his trade deadline approach.
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The most obvious need the White Sox have is for starting pitching. A close look at their rotation indicates that Davis Martin and Sean Burke are their two most reliable starters. Martin has a scintillating 9-3 record with a 3.08 earned run average while pitching 96.1 innings. He has started 17 games this season and 10 of his starts have been ranked as quality starts. He has allowed just 6 home runs to this point in the season.
Burke has a 5-4 record with a 3.69 ERA in 92.2 innings of work. He has struck out 95 batters in 92.2 innings, but just 4 of his 13 starts have been listed as quality starts.
Top pitchers don't have long-term track record
Neither Martin nor Burke are experienced top of the rotation starters. The 29-year-old Martin is in his fourth year in the big leagues and all of his efforts have been with the White Sox. He was 7-10 last year with a 4.10 ERA while making 26 appearances. He also gave up 20 home runs a year ago and he has clearly improved quite a bit this season.
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The 26-year-old Burke is in his third season with the White Sox. He was 4-11 a year ago with a 4.22 ERA. Burke had 133 strikeouts in 134.1 inning and gave up 22 home runs. He has clearly made steady improvement in 2026.
Anthony Kay , Erick Fedde and top prospect Noah Schultz have all been starters for Will Venable , but it will be hard for White Sox fans to believe any of them can shut down opponents in the biggest games.
As a result, the White Sox will want to upgrade their pitching staff.
White Sox need to protect top prospects
The White Sox still have a number of prime prospects who will likely be at the Major League level in 2027 or '28. Two of those prospects are pitchers. Left-hander Hagen Smith is a hard thrower who appears to be a legitimate major league starter in the future. However, he is battling to overcome a shoulder injury. Right-hander Tanner McDougal can top triple digits with his fastball and he also has the off-speed pitches to counter his impressive fastball. If he can avoid injuries, he is a pitcher the White Sox will want to keep.
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Infielder Billy Carlson suffered a fractured thumb earlier in the year, but he has brilliant defensive skills. Outfielder Jaden Fauske has power and excellent bat speed. While neither one is a sure thing at this point, Getz may be better served holding on to both young prospects.
There will be a strong need to go after quality pitchers. Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers is the top pitcher who is likely to be available at the trade deadline, but he is a luxury item who would strip the White Sox of their best prospects if Detroit is willing to trade him.
The White Sox might be able to swing a deal for Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins or Kevin Gausman of the Toronto Blue Jays . Those would not be easy deals to make but would not cost as much as Skubal. If Getz could make a deal for either of those starters or closer Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox without bankrupting the pipeline, winning deals could be executed.
Related: MLB rumors: Surprise team urged to trade for Red Sox's Aroldis Chapman
