MLB Network’s proposed Yankees-White Sox trade seems insane

We’re sorry … we thought only New York Yankees fans were the only people in the world that made outlandish trade proposals that favored their team? “How about Clint Frazier and Miguel Andújar for (insert All-Star)?!” Good times.

Don’t kill the messenger for this one, though! The latest trade proposal on MLB Network from former general manager Dan O’Dowd might have rival fans (and particularly White Sox fans!) not too thrilled about a hypothetical scenario where the Yankees get their way.

In linking two topics that have surrounded the Yankees this offseason — a Liam Hendriks import and a Gleyber Torres departure — O’Dowd seemingly thinks he has a solution for New York, and the Chicago White Sox should the two get on the phone.

His trade proposal? The Yankees send Torres to the White Sox in exchange for Hendriks and fellow reliever Garrett Crochet, who was tremendous in 2021 but missed all of 2022 after undergoing Tommy John surgery.

Still, this feels massively lopsided in the Yankees’ favor, who would be upgrading their bullpen x2 while getting rid of a player they don’t necessarily want or need.

The Yankees would make this hypothetical trade with the White Sox in a heartbeat

We’re still trying to understand how this helps the White Sox. They would lose Crochet, who is under club control through 2026. That alone right there is a ton of future value they’re leaving on the table.

The Torres for Hendriks swap alone seems like “the move,” since Torres is under club control through 2024. He’s due ~$10 million this year and likely something between $13-$15 million in 2024. Hendriks is signed for $14.33 million in 2023 and has a $15 million team option for 2024.

An above-average second baseman for one of the game’s best closers feels like the fair dealing, especially since both teams have a need in those departments, while the Yankees have surplus of middle infielders and the White Sox have a clear vacancy at second base (and not entirely a need to pay top dollar for a closer).

Hell, it wouldn’t even be farfetched if the Yankees dealt Torres for Crochet straight up! A controllable reliever with a high ceiling vs an expendable asset that’s only depreciated the last three years, but is rising in price? Sounds like a classic Brian Cashman deal to us.

Nonetheless, we thank O’Dowd for his service. He’s given us further proof that it’s not just Yankees fans putting forth unrealistic trade scenarios when the hot stove is at its peak.

Yankees beat writer proposes trade with White Sox to help bullpen

Could the New York Yankees look to the floundering Chicago White Sox for help on the trade market? One Yankees beat writer thinks so.