Are you running a baseball team that needs a spare part? Give the White Sox a call.
They made an interesting trade on Wednesday, sending outfielder Robbie Grossman to the Texas Rangers for 23-year-old pitcher Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa. It will hardly be the last of these minor deals executed by Chris Getz, the first-year general manager of the rebuilding White Sox.
The team’s investment in Grossman is minimal, as they signed him to a split contract on March 22 and had paid him a prorated portion of his $1.5 million salary for only 34 days. During that time, they signed another right-handed-hitting free agent outfielder, Tommy Pham, to a one-year, $3-million contract.
While Hoopii-Tuionetoa was not considered a top prospect, he was pitching well out of the bullpen for Texas’ Double-A team. He had 16 strikeouts in 12 1/3 innings over 12 outings after striking out 67 in 43 2/3 innings in his first full professional season. He was a 30th-round pick from Pierce (Wash.) College in 2019.
Grossman, 34, was just passing through the White Sox. He had played in 25 games before returning to the team he had helped win the World Series last season. Grossman essentially replaces pre-season Rookie of the Year candidate Wyatt Langford, who was hitting .224 with one home run in 116 at-bats before going on the Injured List with a strained hamstring.
It’s not a surprise that the 8-28 White Sox are early sellers. But while the focus has been on the potential for major trades involving the likes of Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, the Grossman trade illustrates the likelihood that Getz will be busy making small deals ahead of the deadline.
Pham, 36, came to the White Sox largely to showcase himself for a trade to a contender. He is off to a good start, hitting .282 with two home runs in 39 at-bats since joining the team on April 26.
Shortstop Paul DeJong, catcher Martin Maldonado, outfielder-first baseman Gavin Sheets and infielders Nicky Lopez and Danny Mendick are on the list of trade candidates below Pham.
Veteran starters Chris Flexen, Brad Keller and Mike Clevinger could fill needs for teams that need to add rotation depth. The inventory of relievers the Sox could trade includes right-handers John Brebbia, Dominic Leone and Steve Wilson, along with left-handers Tim Hill and Tanner Banks.
Getz is likely to be looking to clear room for young pitchers like Hoopii-Tuionetoa over the course of the season. They’ve looked at four rookies already, and it seems they are just getting started.