High Five: Who are the top trade targets for the Cubs and White Sox?
They’re not exactly kids in a candy shop, but the Cubs and White Sox both sit in a position to be bold as next week’s MLB trade deadline approaches.
The question is, how bold? A starting pitcher like Detroit’s Tarik Skubal or a closer like San Diego’s Mason Miller may sit beyond the limits of what they want to give up in prospects.
Still, even in a seller’s market, there are deals to be made. This edition of the High Five looks at top trade targets as both sides of town push toward a playoff run.
5. Casey Mize, SP, Detroit
Do the Cubs want to take a chance on another injury-prone starting pitcher? Mize already has two stints on the injured list this season with a lingering groin issue he can’t seem to shake.
When healthy, Mize has been terrific with a 2.70 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 16 starts. Between the injuries and an expiring contract, he’d be less expensive than Skubal and other top available starters.
4. Ryan Jeffers, C, Minnesota
This isn’t a swing for the fences like getting Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers, at least before he landed on the injured list with a knee injury, but the Sox need to be careful not to mortgage the future too early in their competitive window.
Kyle Teel is back on the IL for up to 12 weeks with an ankle sprain, which makes him questionable to return at all this season. The Twins, meanwhile, have a pair of catchers who could be on the move.
Jeffers will attract more attention, and possibly from teams like the Dodgers and Yankees willing to give up much more than the Sox. If Jeffers costs too much, the White Sox could make a run at the Twins’ Victor Caratini, the former Cubs catcher.
If, of course, the Twins are willing to trade within the AL Central Division.
3. Josh Hader, RP, Houston
Cubs fans still have nightmares about Hader’s time in Milwaukee, although the lefty’s not quite the lights-out closer he once was.
Regardless, the Cubs badly need to shore up the bullpen, perhaps with a couple arms. Daniel Palencia appears to be on the mend, but the Cubs can’t rely on him being consistently available for the stretch run.
2. Reid Detmers, SP, L.A. Angels
Detmers fits the White Sox’ profile in many ways. He’s 27 years old and under team control until 2029, which slides into the team’s vision for competing now and in the future.
The Sox’ starting rotation has been solid and often spectacular with Davis Martin and Sean Burke leading the way. Adding an arm like Detmers suddenly vaults their chances of winning a playoff series and could give Noah Schultz time for a reset.
1. Joe Ryan, SP, Minnesota
He’s not Skubal, but Ryan stabilizes the top of the Cubs rotation after losing Cade Horton early in the season. They also remain without Justin Steele, who suffered setbacks in his rehab from elbow surgery.
The one big concern, though, is Ryan was just scratched from his scheduled start on Saturday due to arm fatigue. This came after he was rocked in his previous start.
The Twins sit just under .500 in a weak division. Will they even listen to offers for a 30-year-old starter with another year left on his contract?
This would be a costly move for the Cubs, but they’d get a guy whose numbers are comparable to the names you’ll see at the top of Cy Young ballots at the end of the season.