Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox started the 2015 season off in bad fashion, and were nearly counted out of the playoff race. Now, as the MLB trade deadline draws closer, they are right back in the mix and are looking to make a trade. According to a report from Jon Heyman of CBS Sports, the White Sox are interested in acquiring Justin Upton and Yoenis Cespedes.
Have heard chisox are on upton and cespedes now. Things have really turned around for south siders
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 30, 2015
MLB’s trade deadline is under 24 hours away, and the White Sox know that they need to make a sizable move in order to have any chance at the postseason. Cespedes is the target that they need to zero in on, and he would be the perfect fit for the White Sox moving forward.
Cespedes has recorded a .289 batting average to go along with 17 home runs and 58 RBIs. He is 29 years old, but he is playing in the final season of his contract. Despite that concern, the White Sox need to do everything that they can do to bring him on board.
So far this season, the White Sox have been inconsistent at the plate. Adding a player like Cespedes would bring the power that they are in desperate need of, and would also bring in a batter that has gotten on base consistently. Chicago could use more additions than adding a bat like Cespedes would bring, but he would certainly give them enough firepower to make a late season run.
At this point in the season, the White Sox are sitting at 49-50 and are 11.5 games out of the division lead behind the Kansas City Royals. There isn’t much hope that they will catch the Royals, but they are targeting a wild card spot and are just 2.5 games behind the Minnesota Twins for a playoff position. Cespedes would give the White Sox yet another threat in their lineup, and would immediately help them continue the winning rampage that they have been on to get back to this position.
It will be interesting to hear what type of value the Detroit Tigers are looking to get back in return for him, and what other teams decide to pursue him with very little time left before the deadline.
Chicago has plenty of young talent in their farm system to move for him if they feel that he is worth the asking price. Detroit has already dealt David Price to the Toronto Blue Jays, although they did get an excellent return for him. Cespedes is the next piece to move, and the Baltimore Orioles have also shown interest in acquiring him according to a report from Jon Morosi.
All of that being said, the White Sox will have to decide quickly just how seriously they want to take this trade deadline. There is a good chance that Cespedes would simply be a half-year rental and he would leave in free agency. If they are willing to take that chance and go for a playoff appearance this season with their current group of players, then they should go all out to get a deal done with the Tigers.
Evan Massey is a featured writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter at @Massey_Evan and like him on Facebook.
