It’s no secret that white socks need setup. With Lance Lynn headed to IL to start the season, and Lucas Giolito missing at least his next starts, the rotation is now without the first two starters.
Could you help the way through the trade?
According to Bob Nightingale, Rick Hahn in talks with an Oakland A to acquire an ace, Frankie Montas. The only problem is that “A” wants hitter Andrew Vaughn in return. As Nightengale reports, Han is hesitant to break up with Vaughn, and it’s easy to understand why.
When the White Sox drafted Vaughn with the No. 3 overall pick in 2019, they did so because he had the most advanced bat in his class, and you can clearly imagine him taking over José Abreu at first base one day. He lived up to the hype, making his debut in 2021 and hitting 15 homes in 127 games.
Perhaps most surprisingly, Vaughn proved to be such a high-level athlete that he was able to contribute across the field when called upon. No evidence of this ability has been more impressive than when he made his MLB debut on the left field – a position he had only started playing a few days earlier since Eloy Jiménez injured himself about a week before the season began. Vaughn did so well with the new assignment that he became the team’s regular left-back before long. By the end of the season, Vaughn was playing left field, right field, filling in initially when Abreu needed a break, and even playing a game for second and third. The Swiss Army Knife became the team’s hitter.
Fast forward to 2021. Jiménez was back and the team discussed AJ Pollock to play on the right court, so Vaughn didn’t have a position to play. But with the rising bats, the team wanted him in the lineup, so Tony La Russa made Vaughn the opening day DH. Once again, Vaughn showed why he deserved a high draft pick, and why the White Sox wanted him in their future plans. After the Sox Bullpen blew a 3-1 lead in the eighth inning, Vaughn thrashed a solo home run to reclaim the lead. If the team holds out for the win, this could be a defining moment in his young career. But they didn’t, so von Homer crushed another two days later, this time with a three-stroke shot to seal a series win over the Tigers.
With three games in the books, Vaughn leads the team on average (.400), home run (2) and RBI (6), and he’s done it all without getting out once.
Yes, the White Sox needs to find a way to take up roles while Giolito and Lynn recover. But Vaughn would have to pay a heavy price to find such a solution.
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