White Sox

White Sox Acquire 2B Cesar Hernandez from Cleveland

The White Sox addressed their second base needs by acquiring César Hernandez from division rival Cleveland ahead of the trade deadline.

by
cwsdjt
July 29, 2021

Photo: Indians/Twitter

Following Nick Madrigal’s season-ending injury in early June, the Chicago White Sox have been looking for reinforcements at second base. General manager Rick Hahn addressed that need today by completing a trade with the Cleveland Indians to acquire César Hernández, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

The Chicago White Sox are finalizing a deal to acquire second baseman Cesar Hernandez from Cleveland, sources tell ESPN.

White Sox have long been in the market for a second baseman. And now they get one in the 31-year-old Hernandez, who is hitting .231/.307/.431 with 18 homers.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 29, 2021

Hernández is a consistent veteran option at second base, which will allow Leury García to return to more of a utility role. Hernández has accumulated 1.8 fWAR in 2021 with a slash line of .231/.307/.431 in addition to 18 home runs and 47 RBIs. He owns a career slash line of .272/.347/.388, which shows the 31-year-old’s willingness to get on base.

According to Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, the White Sox are sending left-handed pitcher Konnor Pilkington to Cleveland in exchange for Hernandez.

The Indians will receive Double-A LHP Konnor Pilkington from the White Sox for Hernandez, per source. He has a 3.48 ERA in 62 IP this season.
— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) July 29, 2021

The White Sox originally drafted Pilkington with the 81st overall pick in the third round of the 2018 MLB Draft. He owns a 9-14 record, 4.13 ERA, and 1.20 WHIP in 205 innings across 47 games (46 starts) in the White Sox minor league system.

Pilkington is a small price to pay for the immediate impact Hernandez will provide for the White Sox. Entering play today, Hernandez is tied with Jose Abreu for the White Sox team lead in home runs with 18. Hernandez’s contract also carries a club option worth $6 million for the 2022 season.

Now that second base has been addressed, Hahn and Co. will likely turn their attention to acquiring bullpen help. The trade deadline is Friday, July 30 at 3 PM CT.

cwsdjt

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