The White Sox have climbed from basement dwellers to legitimate AL Central contenders this season, and now they’re ready to act like it at the trade deadline.
After years of selling off assets, Chicago’s front office is expected to be active buyers this July. The priorities are clear: starting pitching and bullpen help for a club that’s suddenly back in the playoff hunt.
That’s where The Athletic’s Jim Bowden sees a perfect match brewing with the Boston Red Sox. He’s linked Chicago as the best fit for two key Boston pieces: starter Sonny Gray (3.03 ERA) and closer Aroldis Chapman (0.44 ERA).
“I think the Red Sox fit best with the Phillies or Padres on (Jarren) Duran and the White Sox best on Gray and Chapman,” Bowden writes.
It’s an intriguing pairing. Both players would represent significant upgrades for Chicago’s rotation and bullpen – exactly what they need for a postseason push.
The Gray Challenge
Gray comes with one complication: he’s got a full no-trade clause. At 36, the veteran right-hander holds all the cards on where he goes, if anywhere. But if he’s willing to waive that protection for Chicago, he’d be a substantial addition to their rotation.
What makes Gray more attractive than a typical rental is his contract situation. While his three-year, $75 million deal runs through 2026, there’s a 2027 club option the White Sox could exercise. That’s the kind of control teams want when they’re buying at the deadline.
Chapman’s Veteran Presence
Chapman presents a similar value proposition. The 38-year-old flame-thrower still brings triple-digit heat to the closer role, and his 2027 option vests automatically if he reaches 40 innings pitched this season.
For a closer on a competitive team like the White Sox, hitting that innings threshold seems pretty realistic.
The appeal here is obvious – Chicago could land two veterans at positions of need who aren’t just July-to-October rentals. Both Gray and Chapman would potentially stick around through 2027, giving the White Sox extended value from any trade investment.
That’s exactly the type of move that makes sense for a young, ascending club. Instead of mortgaging prospects for a few months of help, they’d be adding established veterans who could contribute beyond this year’s surprise postseason push.
The question now is whether the Red Sox are ready to move these pieces and if Gray’s willing to waive his no-trade protection. For a White Sox team that’s already exceeded expectations, adding this kind of veteran leadership could be exactly what pushes them over the top in the Central.
