CHICAGO (670 The Score) -- The trading deadline came early for White Sox pitcher Lucas Giolito and Reynaldo Lopez, traded on Wednesday night to the Angels for a pair of prospects.
The White Sox sank to a season-low 21 games under .500 after a 10-7 loss to the Cubs on Wednesday night at Guaranteed Rate Field. White Sox general manager Rick Hahn felt he had no recourse but to start moving players who were part of this dysfunctional team.
"Quite frankly, it was an emotional conversation with Lucas informing him of the trade,” Hahn said. “Given this team's performance over the last few months, it was evident that these moves had to take place. Lucas and Reynoldo's tenure is not ending the way we envisioned it. I complimented both of them for the way they performed on the field and how they represented themselves and the White Sox off the field. They both will be missed and make the Angels a better team for a postseason run.”
Giolito, 29, was set to become a free agent after this season. He is 6-6 with a 3.79 ERA over 21 starts this season. Lopez, also 29, was 2-5 with a 4.29 ERA over 43 relief appearances this season.
The White Sox acquired switch-hitting catcher Edgar Quero and left-hander Ky Bush from the Angels. Quero was the team’s No. 2 overall prospect while Bush was the No. 3 prospect. Hahn lamented the situation the franchise is in and how and how it hurts to part with young pitchers who they acquired to try and win a World Series.
"Lucas and Rey were guys we brought in with the goal of winning together," Hahn said. "Over the course of their tenure there just wasn't enough winning – or at least as much as we hoped to get. That is disappointing. But that is the job the next several days as we lead up to the deadline.
"Over the course of the next week or so, we are going to make the moves that make sense and put ourselves in the best position going forward. There will be plenty of time going forward to examine titles. It makes sense to trade strategically with players whose contracts are expiring for future assets.
“We have been busy. We have been pretty popular because we have several quality arms available. Pitchers are what most contenders are looking for. This time of the year."
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