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On the eve of the MLB Draft, the Chicago White Sox made a trade that completely transforms what is possible for them on draft day and carries serious ramifications for the long-term construction of the team.
The White Sox traded infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert to the Pittsburgh Pirates for the No. 34 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, a Competitive Balance Round A selection, along with minor league left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods.
Gonzalez, a former first-round pick by the White Sox, came into his own in 2026 and burst onto the scene as a viable MLB infielder. In 200 at-bats in Triple-A this year, Gonzalez is batting .320 with 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and a 1.097 OPS.
He came up to Chicago as a replacement when Munetaka Murakami landed on the IL and held his own with a .683 OPS, two home runs and 17 RBIs. There is undoubtedly still some growing for Gonzalez to do, but he looked like a potential piece of the White Sox's future. Ultimately, it is the roster crunch that now has him departing the organization.
With Murakami back in the lineup, the White Sox did not have regular at-bats available for Gonzalez. Rather than hold him in the minor leagues as an emergency option or give him only partial playing time in the big leagues, the White Sox are choosing to repurpose the asset by landing the No. 34 pick in the upcoming draft and the bonus pool money that comes with it.
It might be tough for some White Sox fans to see Gonzalez go. I'll admit that I have some reservations about moving a former first-round pick who was just beginning to figure things out for the uncertainty that comes with a draft pick. But Gonzalez is landing with a Pirates team that is on the verge of contention and an organization that will allow him to play elsewhere on the infield and receive regular playing time.
Chicago's bonus pool just increased to nearly $20.5 million. With a 5% percent overage, the White Sox will be able to spend up to $21.5 million on their 2026 MLB Draft class.
Landon Thome, the son of MLB Hall of Famer and former White Sox slugger Jim Thome, figures to be in play for the White Sox at No. 34 overall.
The White Sox had been enamored with Thome and were targeting him at No. 41, but getting him that far down the board seemed like wishful thinking. They have now greatly improved their odds of landing him while also giving themselves the ability to go over slot with the first overall pick without sacrificing their flexibility in the middle rounds.
The other piece coming back to the White Sox is minor league left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods, a 24-year-old who has pitched at Double-A and Triple-A in the Pirates organization this season.
Over 37.1 innings, Woods has a 4.58 ERA, but he has recorded 55 strikeouts and 13 strikeouts per nine innings. He has big swing-and-miss stuff and is largely a sinker-heavy pitcher with a two-pitch mix featuring his sinker and slider.
Brandon Eisert was also sent to Pittsburgh in the deal, leaving an open spot on the active roster. Eisert has a 5.93 ERA over 25 appearances this season, and I have advocated for the White Sox to give someone else an opportunity in the MLB bullpen. They now have the roster space to do so.
Whether you love it or hate it, it is undeniable that this trade represents a significant risk for Chicago. Gonzalez has developed into a really capable player in 2026, and he showcased enough power in the minor leagues to believe he can become a well-above-average slugger on the infield.
Will the White Sox regret dealing him? That will probably depend on what his future in Pittsburgh looks like, as well as what the White Sox are able to make happen with the 34th overall pick.
Continue reading...
The White Sox traded infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-handed pitcher Brandon Eisert to the Pittsburgh Pirates for the No. 34 pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, a Competitive Balance Round A selection, along with minor league left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods.
Gonzalez, a former first-round pick by the White Sox, came into his own in 2026 and burst onto the scene as a viable MLB infielder. In 200 at-bats in Triple-A this year, Gonzalez is batting .320 with 19 home runs, 63 RBIs and a 1.097 OPS.
He came up to Chicago as a replacement when Munetaka Murakami landed on the IL and held his own with a .683 OPS, two home runs and 17 RBIs. There is undoubtedly still some growing for Gonzalez to do, but he looked like a potential piece of the White Sox's future. Ultimately, it is the roster crunch that now has him departing the organization.
With Murakami back in the lineup, the White Sox did not have regular at-bats available for Gonzalez. Rather than hold him in the minor leagues as an emergency option or give him only partial playing time in the big leagues, the White Sox are choosing to repurpose the asset by landing the No. 34 pick in the upcoming draft and the bonus pool money that comes with it.
It might be tough for some White Sox fans to see Gonzalez go. I'll admit that I have some reservations about moving a former first-round pick who was just beginning to figure things out for the uncertainty that comes with a draft pick. But Gonzalez is landing with a Pirates team that is on the verge of contention and an organization that will allow him to play elsewhere on the infield and receive regular playing time.
Chicago's bonus pool just increased to nearly $20.5 million. With a 5% percent overage, the White Sox will be able to spend up to $21.5 million on their 2026 MLB Draft class.
Landon Thome, the son of MLB Hall of Famer and former White Sox slugger Jim Thome, figures to be in play for the White Sox at No. 34 overall.
The White Sox had been enamored with Thome and were targeting him at No. 41, but getting him that far down the board seemed like wishful thinking. They have now greatly improved their odds of landing him while also giving themselves the ability to go over slot with the first overall pick without sacrificing their flexibility in the middle rounds.
The other piece coming back to the White Sox is minor league left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods, a 24-year-old who has pitched at Double-A and Triple-A in the Pirates organization this season.
Over 37.1 innings, Woods has a 4.58 ERA, but he has recorded 55 strikeouts and 13 strikeouts per nine innings. He has big swing-and-miss stuff and is largely a sinker-heavy pitcher with a two-pitch mix featuring his sinker and slider.
Brandon Eisert was also sent to Pittsburgh in the deal, leaving an open spot on the active roster. Eisert has a 5.93 ERA over 25 appearances this season, and I have advocated for the White Sox to give someone else an opportunity in the MLB bullpen. They now have the roster space to do so.
Whether you love it or hate it, it is undeniable that this trade represents a significant risk for Chicago. Gonzalez has developed into a really capable player in 2026, and he showcased enough power in the minor leagues to believe he can become a well-above-average slugger on the infield.
Will the White Sox regret dealing him? That will probably depend on what his future in Pittsburgh looks like, as well as what the White Sox are able to make happen with the 34th overall pick.
Continue reading...
