- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,145,669
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
White Sox linked to .773 OPS outfield trade target with odd fit originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago White Sox are sitting atop the American League Central, and looking to head towards the MLB trade deadline as a buyer for the first time in quite a while.
Even though they just traded Derek Hill to the Philadelphia Phillies, the White Sox are likely to explore outfield trade upgrades this season.
Bleacher Report's Zachary D. Rymer linked the White Sox to an outfield trade option for .773 OPS Baltimore Orioles slugger Taylor Ward. While he'd be the exact kind of player who'd help this team, one issue makes this fit a little odd for the White Sox: control.
White Sox linked to trade for Taylor Ward with an odd fit
"LF Taylor Ward, Baltimore Orioles... Other Landing Spots: Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago White Sox," Rymer writes.
Ward would be an interesting pickup for a lot of postseason contenders, as he is a right-handed hitting outfielder who can actually produce, which is somewhat of a rarity right now around MLB.
He has a .773 OPS this season thanks to a career-high .410 on-base percentage. While his .363 slugging percentage is well below his career norm, if he can start hitting for power without sacrificing his on-base abilities, then he'd be an All-Star caliber outfielder.
Considering the White Sox's need for outfield help, he should be a great fit for the team, right? Well, for Chris Getz and the White Sox this season, there is just one issue with Ward: he is only under club control through the rest of the 2026 season.
MORE: Ex-MLB GM projects White Sox to sell at trade deadline despite 2026 success
Ideally, the players the White Sox want to add this summer are players who are under club control through at least the 2027 season, so they aren't spending prospects on players who will leave after one year.
While this White Sox team is a postseason contender, they shouldn't be mortgaging their future to add help in the form of a rental.
As good as Ward is, and would be for this White Sox team, hence Rymer naming them as a possible landing spot this summer, Ward's fit in a trade doesn't make as much sense as other options who are under control through 2027 and beyond.
More MLB news:
- 5 reasons to believe in Jordan Walker's breakout for Cardinals
- Tarik Skubal being traded by Tigers would help him in free agency
- Cubs’ cost to trade for Tarik Skubal from Tigers revealed by ex-MLB GM
- Yankees’ Ryan McMahon problem has a $25 million release solution
- Phillies extending Cristopher Sanchez to his $107 million deal was genius
Continue reading...
