Trade chips: White Sox have plenty of prospects to move before Tuesday's deadline
What to do, what to do?
If you're White Sox general manager Rick Hahn, that's the perplexing question leading up to the Aug. 2 trade deadline.
Less than a week ago, Hahn sounded like a sure buyer.
But with the Sox (49-49) still sitting at the .500 mark and not looking like a team capable of doing much damage if they do make the playoffs, standing pat on the trade front has to be an option.
Selling off players like Jose Abreu, Liam Hendriks, Lance Lynn and Yasmani Grandal does not seem likely.
The gut feeling is the White Sox add some bullpen help before Tuesday, but trading for another starting pitcher and left-handed bat are also possible.
Assuming the Sox do add, prospects need to be moved.
The White Sox's minor-league system isn't great, but there are some promising young players that could be dealt for veteran talent:
Colson Montgomery
The Sox's first-round draft pick in 2021 out of Southridge High School in Indiana, Montgomery is very likely the first name that comes up from opposing teams talking trade.
The 20-year-old shortstop opened the season at low Class A Kannapolis before being promoted to high A Winston-Salem on June 24.
In addition to hitting a combined .316/.424/.426 with 8 home runs and 36 RBI in his first full professional season, Montgomery reached base safely in 50 straight games before going 0-for-4 late last week.
It would be shocking if the White Sox traded Montgomery, who is already looking like a future superstar.
"A lot of things can change, but Colson is doing some special things down there," said Mike Shirley, the Sox's director of amateur scouting. "I think that's who he is. I think he's going to give the White Sox a bright future at shortstop."
Oscar Colas
Signed in late January for $2.7 million, the 23-year-old former Cuban star got off to a solid start with Winston-Salem.
Colas was promoted to Class AA Birmingham two weeks ago and has really stepped up, slashing .455/.500/.970 with 5 homers and 11 RBI in 8 games.
Cristian Mena
Only 19 years old, the right-handed starting pitcher is 2-3 with a 3.28 ERA and 95 strikeouts over 79⅔ innings in 17 starts with Kannapolis and Winston-Salem.
"He's a joy to watch," said assistant general manager/director of player development Chris Getz. "He loves to compete. He doesn't get too emotional on the mound. He's got a fastball/curveball/slider and a changeup and he's only 19 years old."
Norge Vera
A right lat strain kept the White Sox's top pitching prospect off the field until June 9, but the 22-year-old righty has been making up for lost time.
Not only does Vera have a 2.14 ERA in 7 starts for Kannapolis, he's struck out 32 in 21 innings.
Jose Rodriguez
The 21-year-old infielder's rise started last season, when he played at Kannapolis, Winston-Salem and Birmingham.
Rodriguez is back at Double-A this year and is batting .277/.324/.364 with 49 RBI in 83 games for Birmingham.
"He's starting to get some quality results," Getz said. "He was a little inconsistent early on with his approach. But he's much more under control, much more consistent on a daily basis. He's naturally a strong kid. He didn't need to add much to his swing."
•On the injured list with blurred vision, Sox center fielder Luis Robert started a rehab assignment with Class AAA Charlotte Thursday night.
•White Sox relief pitcher Reynaldo Lopez (strained lower back) was placed on the 15-day IL Thursday.