As we get closer to the trade deadline, rumors will begin to swirl around many White Sox players, as the White Sox are open for business over the next two weeks. There will be a lot of smoke around most of their players, and some trades might not end up happening, but one of the most likely players to be moved is Tommy Pham. Luckily for the White Sox, he has no shortage of suitors.
According to Jon Heyman, the Phillies are now a team that is thought to have interest in Tommy Pham. They now join the Kansas City Royals in the pursuit for Pham. This is a very solid outcome for the White Sox, as the more suitors Pham has, the better the deal will be for the White Sox.
Luckily for the White Sox, the Phillies have a very good farm system, so this good be a great deal for both sides, as Pham can join one of the best teams in the major leagues.
The Phillies currently have five top-100 prospects according to MLB Pipeline, which is one of the best in the MLB. However, it is unlikely that Pham himself will net the White Sox one of their top-100 prospects. If he is included in a deal with another player or two, the White Sox could ask for one of them, but alone, getting a top-100 player is unlikely.
Luckily for the White Sox, the Phillies have plenty of other talented prospects in their farm system. Comparing to what Pham got the Mets in a trade last year, we can assume that the prospect will likely be in the 8-20 range of a team’s top 30.
In that range, the Phillies have two catchers, five outfielders, two infielders, and three right handed pitchers.
The White Sox could be interested in the Phillies #12 prospect, Carlos De La Cruz, a powerful 1B/OF.
De La Cruz is 24 and is approaching his MLB debut. If Chris Getz is serious about acquiring close to ready position player prospects, De La Cruz might be one of the players he targets.
Getz may try and get one of their higher ranked prospects, but they don’t have many other players that are close to the majors. Pham could be used in a package deal to get one of their top-100 prospects, as the Phillies could also likely use some help elsewhere on the diamond.
It’s unclear how much value Pham holds this year, but the White Sox should get a solid prospect or two. If the White Sox were able to get a guy like De La Cruz, the Pham signing would be a success, as they properly flipped him for a solid prospect.
Pham might be one of the first dominos to fall during the deadline, so keep an eye out on the return when it is announced, as it could set the tone for the rest of the deadline.
