The White Sox are Reportedly Selling, and the Dodgers Need to Take Advantage

There are two things that are very apparent this offseason. One, the Chicago White Sox are entering a rebuild. Two, the Los Angeles Dodgers are in dire need of pitching.

With a team that is loaded with prospects and another team that is loaded with starting pitching, a trade between the White Sox and the Dodgers almost seems inevitable at this point.

To make it even more obvious, Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported that the White Sox have made it very clear that everyone is available this offseason.

It’s no secret that the Dodgers and White Sox have been trade partners in the past as Chicago traded both pitchers Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly to the Dodgers just before last year’s trade deadline.

Coming into this offseason, it’s very apparent that the Dodgers will be all in on free agent pitcher Shohei Ohtani. But one thing will remain true even if the Dodgers sign Ohtani: He will not pitch in 2024 due to a torn UCL injury and even if he were eligible to pitch, LA would still need help in their starting rotation.

This past year, the Dodgers pitching staff was not as dominant as we have been used to in years past. In the postseason, they were even worse as they struggled against the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NLDS as they gave up nine home runs and 19 runs.

While the pitching struggled, the offense might’ve been just as bad in the postseason.

While the Dodgers offense was electric all year long, it was almost nonexistent in the playoffs. Both LA superstars Freddie Freeman and Mookie Betts combined 1-21 at the plate, the worst we have ever seen the pair perform together.

If the White Sox indeed are making everyone available this offseason, I would expect to see the Dodgers general manager Brandon Gomes making some calls to Chicago this offseason.

As I mentioned earlier, the Dodgers acquired Lynn and Kelly from Chicago just before the deadline and have a history of trading together. Clearly, the White Sox are infatuated with some of the Dodgers’ farm pieces.

Two names from the White Sox roster that I would expect to see LA inquire about are both starting pitcher Dylan Cease and young outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

Last offseason, the Dodgers starting pitching was not what it usually is as they had a team ERA of 4.03. However, due to injuries, the Dodgers staff took a major hit that will take affect into next year as the staff will likely include just Bobby Miller and Walker Buehler and maybe Clayton Kershaw.

With the potential addition of Cease, it would definitely help put the rotation in a better place as Cease is a top rotation pitcher.

Last year, Cease pitched in 33 games for the White Sox and held a 7-9 record. However, in 2021 and 2022, Cease was an above 10 game winner and had a 2.20 ERA in 2022. Over the last three years, Cease has also struck out over 200 batters.

As I mentioned earlier, the Dodgers lineup needs help. Last year, LA’s lineup was decimated with injuries which forced Betts to spend the majority of his season playing at second base.

The opportunity to trade for Robert Jr. should be a no-brainer for LA.

Robert Jr. is a 26-year-old centerfielder from Cuba and has four years of MLB service under his belt. He won’t hit free agency until until 2028 after signing a six-year, $50 million contract with Chicago that includes two club options in 2026 and 2027.

Last season, Robert hit .264 with 38 home runs and 80 RBIs while racking in 36 doubles and having an OPS of .857, which earned him the first Silver Slugger of his career.

The potential addition of Cease and Robert Jr. would make a huge difference for the Dodgers in 2023 and should be a team I would expect to see them make some deals with this offseason.

Photo Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports