With the second half of the baseball season underway for both Chicago teams, the White Sox took the next step in their rebuilding process by trading starting pitcher Jose Quintana to the Cubs.
In return, the White Sox got back four prospects including two of the top prospects in the Cubs farm system in outfielder Eloy Jimenez and pitcher Dylan Cease.
The trade bolstered the White Sox minor league system as they now are regarded as having the best farm system in all of all of Major League Baseball. The White Sox have nine players rated in MLB’s top 100 prospects list, all above the 68th spot on the list.
It is a far cry from where the White Sox were this time last year where they had only two players on the bottom half of the list.
Since determining that a rebuild was the best route to go, White Sox general manager Rick Hahn has done a superb job selling off their assets and getting the highest value in return.
A mix of player talent with cost friendly, long-term contracts have allowed the White Sox to get 11 prospects in return for just three players.
Furthermore, Hahn’s willingness to hold out for the best possible deal has worked out in his favor.
Many teams were interested in Jose Quintana leading up to Thursday’s trade as rumored trade partners included the Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Atlanta Braves, Colorado Rockies, and Houston Astros. The Brewers and Yankees had the most ready made prospects including Clint Frazier, ranked 17th and Lewis Brinson, ranked 13th on MLB’s top 100 prospect list.
There were rumors that the Atlanta Braves were willing to offer the most quantity of prospects as well.
The Quintana trade leaves the White Sox with just David Robertson, Todd Frazier, Melky Cabrera, and Tommy Kahnle as possible tradable assets remaining.
Robertson is highly sought after by the Washington Nationals who are in dire need of a closer. Washington’s highest rate prospect is outfielder Victor Robles, who is ranked 5th on the MLB top 100 list.
Boston has been rumored to be interested in the third baseman Frazier as they do not have a reliable player at the position.
The Red Sox’s top prospect Rafael Devers, is a power hitting third baseman but is he ready to come up and make an impact? If Rick Hahn could find a way to land either of these prospects, the White Sox would have the best farm system for years to come.
Once all the trades are made, regardless of the outcome, Rick Hahn should be given high praise for the accomplishments he has achieved.
Unlike the Cubs who drafted well and then traded to acquire prospects, Hahn has already stacked the farm system before having two seasons of high draft picks to further add to the organization.
The first part of the rebuild has given the Sox organization hope for the future, and it will only be that more rewarding when the on-field winning begins.
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