Surprising White Sox Pitcher Now A Trade Target For Contenders

The White Sox have a long list of potential trade candidates, but one of the more fascinating options that Rick Hahn could sell off is Aaron Bummer. 

Bummer has been the source of plenty of frustration among White Sox fans but there are plenty of teams that would love to add a left-handed arm out of the bullpen of his caliber.

MLB insider Jon Morosi reported that there is little urgency to move Bummer but multiple contenders are looking for left-handed bullpen help.  His xERA is 2.94 and team control through 2026 makes him particularly intriguing. He also has a 27.9 strikeout rate which ranks in the top 78th percentile in the MLB. 

His talent is undeniable. Pitching coach Ethan Katz once called Bummer’s sinker the “most impressive thing I have ever seen in my life”. 

But the results have left a lot to be desired. Through 39 games this season, he carries a 6.32 ERA with a 1.46 WHIP. However, his career numbers look much better.  In seven seasons he has a 3.56 ERA with a 9.94 K/9 rate. 

Most reports say that the White Sox are only selling off expiring contracts. 

MLB reporter Mark Feinsand recently listed his top 17 players mostly likely to be dealt before the trade deadline. Of the 17 players he listed, four of them were White Sox players which was tied with the Rockies for the most of any team. 

The four players he believes will be dealt are Lucas Giolito, Reynaldo Lopez, Lance Lynn, and Keynan Middleton. None of those names should come as a surprise, especially Giolito and Lynn. 

Starting pitching is a hot commodity at the trade deadline and according to Jon Morosi the trade market prices for rental starting pitchers are high because several contenders want to add one. 

This bodes well for the White Sox who have one of the best rental starting pitchers on the market in Lucas Giolito. Giolito is not only the most likely player on the White Sox to get dealt, he is arguably the most likely in their league. 

If packaged with a pitcher under team control like Bummer that return could be even greater. 

It is very hard to net a good return for a rental player, even with the scarcity of quality arms available at the trade deadline. Even with Bummer’s talent and team control, it is hard to justify trading a good haul for a pitcher with an 11 percent walk rate and an ERA north of 6.00.  

As for Bummer, a change of scenery may also do him some good. He consistently has one of the lowest expected slugging percentages in the league. In three of the last five seasons, he has also ranked in the top seven percent in the MLB in xERA. If he can lower his walk rate he could turn into a force at the back end of a bullpen. Things just haven't seemed to click for him with the White Sox.