Rangers could capitalize by looking at under-the-radar White Sox trade target

The Chicago White Sox are poised to be sellers at this year's MLB trade deadline. Outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and starting pitcher Garrett Crochet are known to be on the trade block for any team willing to meet what's sure to be an unbelievably high asking price.

Robert, when healthy, is an MVP-caliber player who occupies a premier spot defensively. Crochet, much like former White Sox pitcher Dylan Cease, is a frontline starter with multiple years of team control remaining. Texas Rangers fans remember that Arlington was a possible landing spot for Cease before the San Diego Padres stepped up and matched Chicago's demands.

If the Rangers are still looking to bolster their rotation ahead of the July 30 deadline, GM Chris Young may want to give Chris Getz of the White Sox a phone call. But not for the player you think. While making a deal for Crochet would bring a top-end starter to the Rangers rotation, snagging the left-hander would cost an arm and leg. But Erick Fedde could be had for much less and perhaps give Texas exactly what they need.

Rangers could capitalize by looking at White Sox RHP Erick Fedde

Fedde signed a two-year, $15 million contract with the White Sox this past offseason after spending the 2023 overseas pitching for the KBO. Fedde went 20-6 for the NL Dinos with 2.00 ERA and 209 strikeouts in just over 180 innings pitched.

While the level of competition in the KBO is not the same as what he has faced so far this season in the major leagues, Fedde remade himself into a much better pitcher while playing in Korea.

Before his trip across the Pacific, Fedde spent six seasons with the Washington Nationals. The right-hander went 21-33 with a 5.41 ERA. In his 13 starts for the White Sox this season, Fedde owns a 3.27 ERA, 3.54 FIP, and has reduced his walk rate from his previous stint in the majors while seeing an uptick in strikeouts.

With a contract that extends into 2025, Fedde is more than just a rental. However, the White Sox won't command near the type of prospect package for Fedde that they'll get in exchange for Crochet.

While the Rangers are banking on the returms of Jon Gray, Cody Bradford, Max Scherzer, Jacob deGrom, and Tyler Mahle from the IL in order to boost Texas' rotation for a playoff push, that's hardly a sound strategy. Both deGrom and Mahle are returning from Tommy John surgery, and Scherzer has already had a setback this season.

Teams, like the Rangers, who are looking to upgrade the rotation without taking on a bunch of payroll will certainly be keeping an eye on Fedde as the MLB trade deadline approaches.

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