3 Chicago White Sox that are perfect fits for the Chicago Cubs

Sep 30, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (10) watches
Sep 30, 2022; San Diego, California, USA; Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoan Moncada (10) watches / Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
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Over the course of the past decade, the Chicago Cubs have not been afraid to deal with the Chicago White Sox at the Major League Baseball trade deadline. The biggest trade between the two teams occurred in 2017 when the Cubs acquired starting pitcher Jose Quintana from the White Sox in a deal that saw outfielder Eloy Jimenez and starting pitcher Dylan Cease head to the South Side.

It was a trade that was a massive disappointment for the Cubs. Quintana never blossomed into the frontend starting pitcher that the Cubs were hoping would anchor their rotation for years to come and Cease has become a perennial American League Cy Young Award candidate and Jimenez, when healthy, is among the best pure hitters in all of baseball.

Most recently, the Cubs and White Sox connected on a trade at the 2021 Major League Baseball trade deadline. The deal saw the Cubs send closer Craig Kimbrel to the White Sox for second baseman Nick Madrigal and relief pitcher Codi Heuer. The deal was a disappointment for both teams as Kimbrel struggled out of the bullpen with the White Sox and Madrigal and Heuer have been unable to remain healthy while with the Cubs.

The White Sox are in an interesting position as they enter the 2023 season. The hope is that the removal of Tony La Russa as the team's manager and Pedro Grifol taking his place will help the team reach the once-high potential they had. If not, the White Sox may be in a position to sell this season at the deadline and there are three players in particular that are perfect fits for the Cubs.

Cleveland Guardians v Chicago White Sox
Cleveland Guardians v Chicago White Sox / Michael Reaves/GettyImages

3 Chicago White Sox that are perfect fits for the Chicago Cubs: Yoán Moncada

Chicago White Sox third baseman Yoán Moncada was the top prospect in all of Major League Baseball in 2017. Acquired by the White Sox in the trade that sent starting pitcher Chris Sale to the Boston Red Sox, the expectation was for Moncada to be the new face of the White Sox. Moncada appeared to be reaching his potential in 2019 as he slashed .315/.367/.548/.379 wOBA/139 wRC+ with 25 home runs. The power numbers have dipped in the seasons since and 2022 was an overall disappointment. In 433 plate appearances last season, Moncada posted a .275 wOBA and 76 wRC+.

The long-term plan for the Cubs at the third base position is not known at this time. Moncada would certainly be a fit for the Cubs as the team would get a player that is in need of a change of scenery and has the makeup to be one of the best third basemen in all of Major League Baseball.

Detroit Tigers v Chicago White Sox
Detroit Tigers v Chicago White Sox / Quinn Harris/GettyImages

3 Chicago White Sox that are perfect fits for the Chicago Cubs: Gavin Sheets

As the Chicago White Sox enter the 2023 season, it is unclear what role left-handed power hitter Gavin Sheets will have with the team. White Sox prospect Oscar Colas is expected to be the team's starting right fielder with Andrew Vaugh taking over at first base in place of Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez moving to the designated hitter role. Sheets, who has 26 home runs in his first 178 games at the Major League level, appears to be without a starting position with the White Sox.

The Cubs are still a team that will lack a true power hitter in 2023. First base prospect Matt Mervis could be a solution to that problem as he is expected to reach the Major League level at some point during the first half of the season. Sheets would be an excellent fit for the Cubs given their need for a left-handed power bat and the lack of true impact hitters that will be available in the offseason ahead.

Minnesota Twins v Chicago White Sox
Minnesota Twins v Chicago White Sox / Quinn Harris/GettyImages

3 Chicago White Sox that are perfect fits for the Chicago Cubs: Lucas Giolito

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Lucas Giolito is entering an important season in 2023 after struggling during the 2022 season. Giolito made 30 starts for the White Sox during the 2022 season, posting a 4.90 ERA along the way to go along with his strikeout per 9 ratio dropping to under 10 for the first time in three seasons. Diving into Giolito's numbers for the 2022 season and there is an argument that could be made that he was the victim of bad luck. Giolito's xFIP of 3.66 and xERA of 4.23 would suggest that he was better than his ERA would suggest. Hitters also had a BABIP of .340 against Giolito last season and that would be an indicator of the lack of fielding support he had.

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Giolito will be a free agent after this season and there is no question that the Cubs should be interested if he is available. Given the success that the Cubs have had with their pitch lab, Giolito would be the prime candidate for their next project.

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