(670 The Score) With enough injuries to fill their own personal rehab center, the White Sox now also need to turn their attention to finding a veteran catcher as they look to fortify their championship-contending club before the trade deadline that awaits July 30.
On Wednesday, the White Sox announced that starting catcher Yasmani Grandal underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon in his left knee. He's now expected to be out longer than the initial timetable of four to six weeks that the team revealed Tuesday. No exact timetable has been set for Grandal's return, though the team and doctors do expect him back sometime during the 2021 season.
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Due to Grandal's extended absence, adding a catcher may need to become the White Sox's main priority on the trade market. For now, Zack Collins and the recently promoted Seby Zavala will man the catching position. Collins has really grown as a defensive player, though he's vulnerable offensively against left-handed pitching. Entering play Wednesday, he was hitting .162 with a .495 OPS in 41 plate appearances against lefties in 2021.
Zavala started Wednesday as the White Sox concluded their series against the Twins. He's inexperienced, as it marked just his sixth MLB game.
"If there is something reasonable (in the trade market), I think our guys will be interested," manager Tony La Russa said. "If not, we shouldn't do anything like just making a move that's going to be unreasonable just to make a move."
The loss of Grandal is made more troubling by the fact the White Sox also were eyeing help in the outfield, at second base and in the bullpen. If the White Sox are to fill all or most of those needs, the front office will need to give up depth from the farm system and perhaps deal someone off the current 26-man roster.
A couple trade possibilities for the White Sox play for the Pirates – second baseman Adam Frazier and catcher Jacob Stallings. The lefty-swinging Frazier is hitting .325 with an .855 OPS this season. He's also a solid defender who's under contract control through 2022. The White Sox have a need at second base after Nick Madrigal underwent season-ending hamstring surgery. Madrigal is expected to be ready for spring training in 2022.
Stallings, 31, doesn't fit the Pirates' long-range plans, so he figures to be available. He's hitting .226 with a .688 OPS in 2021. He's under contract control through 2024 at a low cost.
The White Sox had been connected to Diamondbacks infielder Eduardo Escobar in the rumor mill in recent weeks, but other clubs began expressing serious interest as well and have slowed down the process of him being traded as Arizona weighs its options, sources said. The White Sox are also concerned about a hamstring ailment that has slowed Escobar recently, sources said.
On Wednesday, La Russa indicated that slugger Eloy Jimenez – who has been out all season with a serious pectoral injury – will be the team's designated hitter most of the time upon his return, which could come in late August or September. That means the White Sox could still use more depth in their outfield.
The Diamondbacks' David Peralta, the Cubs' Joc Pederson and the Marlins' Starling Marte are trade candidates whom the White Sox could inquire about leading up to the deadline.
Bruce Levine covers the Cubs and White Sox for 670 The Score. Follow him on Twitter @MLBBruceLevine.
