The Chicago White Sox have reportedly assigned top scouts to three potential trade partners ahead of this year’s trade deadline. Nearly halfway through the season, the White Sox are having their worst start in their 124-year franchise history. Sitting at a franchise-worst 21-59 record through their first 80 games, Chicago is on pace for their worst first-half record since 1970. With no chance to contend this season, general manager Chris Getz is expected to make many trades amid a massive organizational rebuild.
White Sox Scouting Contenders For Potential Trades
In March, the White Sox traded right-hander Dylan Cease to the Padres for three top-10 prospects and reliever Steven Wilson. Getz has clarified that the White Sox are open to dealing any of their players for top-ranked prospects. Of the many teams who have engaged with Chicago on potential trades, the White Sox are scouting the farm systems of the Padres, Dodgers, and Mariners.
How Chicago scouts these potential trade candidates could provide insight into how it plans to approach the deadline. The White Sox are reportedly seeking high-potential position players, which the Padres, Dodgers, and Mariners have in considerable supply.
San Diego Padres
San Diego has recently shown strong interest in Chicago’s ace left-hander Garrett Crochet and their flame-throwing reliever Michael Kopech. General manager A.J. Preller has been aggressive in early trading for Cease during spring training and Luis Arráez last month. Trading Juan Soto to the Yankees gave the Padres’ prospect pool a major boost, but trading for both Cease and Arráez cost them eight prospects combined. San Diego still has two position players with high upsides: catcher Ethan Salas and shortstop Leodalis De Vries. However, Ken Rosenthal said they “are reluctant to discuss either player unless they receive established star talent in return.”
Los Angeles Dodgers
For a team as loaded as the Dodgers are, they have one of the least productive outfields in baseball. Dodgers’ outfielders have a collective 98 wRC+ this season, leading to their growing interest in center fielder Luis Robert Jr., according to insiders. Robert is the kind of player who can improve any team, but his frequent injuries, low walk, and high strikeout rates are concerning. He’s already missed nearly two months with a hip flexor strain and has batted just .190/.301/.476 since returning. The Gold Glove center fielder has one more guaranteed season on his contract, plus team options for 2026 and 2027. Los Angeles will likely want more production from the White Sox slugger before paying his heavy price tag.
Seattle Mariners
The Mariners need offense in the worst way and have shown a willingness to pay top dollar in the past. Despite having a 5.5-game lead in the AL West, Seattle has the second-worst team batting average in baseball. Their combined outfield OPS ranks 23rd in the majors, and Luis Robert Jr. has emerged as a top trade target. The Mariners have had the best chance to win the division since 2001, and Robert may be their best option for an impact bat. Seattle’s farm system is loaded with pitching talent and young infielders to trade for the White Sox slugger, who boasts a skill set similar to Julio Rodríguez.
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