The White Sox continued their rebuilding efforts with a flurry of moves over the weekend, bolstering their roster with both veteran and prospect acquisitions. The team signed a seasoned non-roster invitee and orchestrated two trades that brought in three promising prospects and a draft pick. Of particular note was the trade involving 24-year-old reliever Gregory Santos, who was sent to the Mariners in exchange for 23-year-old pitcher Prelander Berroa, 25-year-old outfielder Zach DeLoach, and a “Comp B” draft pick, the 69th choice in the upcoming 2024 draft. Additionally, the White Sox traded 21-year-old pitcher Cristian Mena to the Arizona Diamondbacks for 26-year-old outfielder Dominic Fletcher.
Santos, who has been traded for the third time, showcased immense potential despite grappling with injuries throughout his career. Despite his sporadic playing time, Santos impressed with his fastball, reaching 97–100 mph, and formidable slider. Joining the Mariners, Santos adds to their cadre of hard-throwing, slider-centric relievers and is expected to make a significant impact in the upcoming season.
The acquisition of Santos comes with risks due to his injury history, but the Mariners view it as a calculated move considering their surplus of lefty-hitting outfielders and the relative weakness of the 2024 draft class. Meanwhile, the White Sox, in the midst of a rebuilding phase, recognized Santos’ value but opted to part ways, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding his injury-proneness.
DeLoach, acquired from the Mariners, brings a mix of power and defensive capabilities, though questions linger about his consistency at the plate. Berroa, known for his high-velocity fastball and slider, presents potential as a back-end bullpen arm if he can refine his control issues. The draft pick acquired adds flexibility to the White Sox’s future draft plans.
The trade with the Diamondbacks involving Mena for Fletcher appears to address roster needs for both teams. Mena, a developmental prospect, joins a Diamondbacks team with the resources to nurture his growth, while Fletcher, despite his impressive debut, offers versatility as a part-time outfielder for the White Sox.
Fletcher’s playing style, characterized by his ability to handle slow pitches and adaptability in the outfield, complements the White Sox’s roster, providing depth alongside established players like Luis Robert Jr. Veteran outfielder Kevin Pillar’s signing further adds experience and depth to the team’s lineup.
Overall, the White Sox’s series of moves reflect a strategic balance between short-term gains and long-term investments, positioning the team for success as they continue their rebuilding efforts.
Leave a Reply