Todd Frazier Puts Chicago White Sox On the Verge of Contending For Playoff Spot

The worst offense in the American League is getting some help as the Chicago White Sox have agreed to acquire third baseman Todd Frazier in a three-team deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds. In exchange, the Dodgers will receive pitcher Frankie Montas, outfielder Trayce Thompson and second baseman Micah Johnson from the White Sox while the Reds acquire infielder Jose Peraza, outfielder Scott Schebler and infielder Brandon Dixon from the Dodgers.

Frazier is coming off of a 2015 season where he hit .255 with a .309 OBP, 35 home runs and 89 RBIs for the underachieving Reds. He will now join a lineup that has already added Brett Lawrie this offseason and will team with Jose Abreu to form a scary middle-of-the-order combination.

In order to acquire Frazier, the White Sox had to give up No. 3 prospect Montas, No. 5 Johnson and No. 14 Thompson. While that is certainly a steep price to pay, general manager Rick Hahn had to do it because of competing with the World Series champion Kansas City Royals, the talented Detroit Tigers and the Cleveland Indians and Minnesota Twins, who are both on the verge of competing for a playoff spot.

Although Frazier is a huge addition, I’d still like to see Hahn go after another starting pitcher or two and add a lefty power bat to balance out the right-handed Abreu and Frazier. In years past, Adam LaRoche would be that guy, but it seems as if father time has caught up to the 36-year-old first baseman after he hit .207 with a .293 OBP, 12 home runs and 44 RBIs in 2015.

Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.