Chicago White Sox

White Sox Rumor Roundup: Could Garcia Be On the Block?

The Chicago White Sox are still looking to acquire young talent as their rebuilding process continues, and that could mean some activity at this week’s Winter Meetings in Florida.

The Sox, who finished with just 67 wins during the 2017 season, still made some progress forward, acquiring players like Eloy Jimenez and Luis Robert as they try to pile up assets for the future.

So what will the White Sox do as the Winter Meetings get underway? Here are the latest rumblings on the South Side as Rick Hahn gets to work.

-Persistent rumors have swirled around first baseman Jose Abreu, who is generating some interest from teams in need of right-handed power in their lineups.

The main team in contention for his services is the Boston Red Sox, who just watched as the New York Yankees acquired Giancarlo Stanton from the Miami Marlins. Abreu would be a good fit in Boston, with a short left-field porch and with a powerful lineup around him, but White Sox fans likely won’t have to say goodbye to the superstar.

The Red Sox farm system is still recovering from the trade that sent Chris Sale to Beantown, and they may not have the young pieces necessary to acquire Abreu from the White Sox. In addition, Abreu’s contract may scare some teams off, as he’s only under team control for two more years and is entering his age 31 season next year.

With that kind of money and at that age, Abreu’s value to the White Sox is likely more impactful than it would be to another team, so while the team will probably listen to offers, it doesn’t seem likely that he will be traded.

-One White Sox player that could find himself on the block is outfielder Avisail Garcia. He is in for a substantial raise as he hits arbitration, and although he’s only under team control for two more seasons, his bat could be an intriguing piece for another team to consider.

In 136 games last season, Garcia clubbed a career high 18 home runs and drove in 80 RBI for the lowly White Sox, and he batted .330 in a remarkably strong season for the 26-year-old.

With his age and contract status, he could well find himself the subject of trade rumors this week, and with good reason.

-The White Sox haven’t been directly connected with any free agents yet, but if they’re going to spend money at the Winter Meetings, it will be on their bullpen.

The White Sox currently only have seven relievers on their 40-man roster, and even though they probably won’t be a contender for big names like Mike Minor and Greg Holland, odds are that they will at least try to add a veteran arm or two while they are at Walt Disney World Resort.

Former Sox hurler Anthony Swarzak could be a good fit as a bargain option, and others, like Joe Smith, Steve Cishek, and Trevor Rosenthal, could find a home on the South Side this season if Hahn wants to splash a bit of money around. 

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