Cleveland Indians second baseman Cesar Hernandez (7) throws to first base against the Tampa Bay Rays in the eighth inning at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox have found their second baseman after making a trade with Cleveland for Cesar Hernandez.
After the season-ending injury to Nick Madrigal, second base has been the biggest, and perhaps, the lone weakness for the Chicago White Sox.
Now, ahead of the MLB trade deadline, the White Sox hope they took a big step in strengthening that weakness with the trade of Cleveland’s Cesar Hernandez.
ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported the trade between the AL Central rivals on the eve of the trade deadline. It also puts to bed the pipe dream of trading for Colorado Rockies shortstop Trevor Story.
Left-handed pitcher Konnor Pilkington is going back to Cleveland from Chicago.
Cesar Hernandez fills a big hole at second base for the White Sox
Hernandez will likely hit toward the bottom-third of the Sox order that was buoyed by the return of Eloy Jimenez and the eventual return of Luis Robert in the near future. He has some pop in his bat with 18 home runs on the season. His average leaves a lot to be desired considering he’s slashing .231/.307/.431 but the pop in his bat should give him a nice spot in the eight or nine-hole in the order.
The 31-year-old switch-hitter will be paid $1,747,330 for the remainder of the year. The Sox hold a club option for 2022 but are unlikely to pick that up for $6 million.
Now, the White Sox can focus on acquiring a bullpen arm or two ahead of Friday’s trade deadline.