While Rick Hahn said the trade market, the White Sox's activity has thus far been limited to free agents with the signings of Mike Clevinger and (unofficially) Andrew Benintendi.
But now that the top 22 free agents on MLB Trade Rumors' rankings have found homes, the teams seeking more certainty in their bullpens may have nowhere else to turn.
The Mets opened the rumor mill on Tuesday with a nascent-stage rumor involving Liam Hendriks, which was backed by Jon Heyman.
Source: The Mets are one of the teams that have contacted the White Sox about trading for reliever Liam Hendriks.
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) December 20, 2022
Hendriks has a posted a 2.66 ERA, 75 saves, 0.87 WHIP, and 13.8 K/9 in two seasons in Chicago.
The Mets seemed like a real possibility before they extended impending free agent closer Edwin Diaz for five years and $102 million. They still may be, what with Steve Cohen indulging all luxuries this winter. They just reached a deal with Carlos Correa for 12 years and $315 million immediately after the Giants ran into issues with Correa's physical as they tried to wrap up a 13-year, $350 million deal, but it's hard to find a great return from the Mets that doesn't involve Jeff McNeil, who hit .326/.382/.454 and approached 6 WAR by both metrics. Maybe they longer need McNeil, but when you look at this infield, you can see why they'd want him.
Correa expects to play 3B with the Mets, per a person familiar with the deal. This was the safe bet, as others have said. Alonso McNeil Lindor Correa. Will not be quiet on that infield.
— Chelsea Janes (@chelsea_janes) December 21, 2022
The Mets have other useful infielders to deal -- Luis Guillorme and Eduardo Escobar -- but neither would represent the best the White Sox could do with Hendriks, especially with the Dodgers, Braves and Phillies all needing bullpen help.
Speaking of the Mets, Michael Conforto's market is starting to stir. The Rangers appear to be in closest contact per the Dallas Morning News, but Ken Rosenthal cited the Mets and Blue Jays among other interested teams.
Rosenthal also said teams had concerns about Conforto's throwing arm...
Some of the teams considering free-agent outfielder Michael Conforto are concerned about his ability to throw at full strength, citing the surgery he underwent on his right shoulder last April. If Conforto requires time at designated hitter, he might be less attractive to clubs that want more of a full-time outfielder.
Boras, however, said Conforto is throwing at 150 feet, putting him ahead of players who are just starting to get ready for the season.
... and DH time is harder to accommodate if Eloy Jiménez needs it to play a full season. This sounds like it could just as well be a leverage ploy, but given Conforto's extended absence, there's an outside chance that he could be Lonzo Baseball, which keeps me from being fully aboard that trolley.
