The White Sox are sending infielder Jacob Gonzalez and reliever Brandon Eisert to the Pirates for lefty Jaden Woods and the No. 34 choose within the draft, studies Jeff Passan of ESPN. Pittsburgh will half with minor league arm and its Aggressive Steadiness Spherical choose to land big-league reinforcements. Each groups have introduced the commerce.
There was a report in late June that the Pirates have been open to shifting their CBR-A variety in addition to gamers of their minor league system. They’ve now completed each in a single deal. Gonzalez debuted this season with the White Sox. He supplied close to league-average manufacturing whereas enjoying largely first base, however was got rid of the roster when Munetaka Murakami returned Friday. Eisert has been a daily in Chicago’s bullpen since final season. He’s scuffled to a 5.93 ERA in 2026.
The commerce addresses two of Pittsburgh’s clearest wants. The membership misplaced beginning shortstop Konnor Griffin for a few months because of a finger damage. The absence of Griffin has pressed utilityman Jared Triolo right into a full-time function. Gonzalez isn’t a certain factor, however he possesses far more offensive upside than the glove-first Triolo. He performed largely shortstop at Triple-A this 12 months. The Pirates’ bullpen has the fifth-worst ERA because the begin of June. Eisert has missed bats at a career-best 27.4% clip whereas trimming his stroll fee to six.8%.
“We consider on this group, and we mentioned a number of methods to make use of the compensation choose to strengthen it,” Pirates basic supervisor Ben Cherington mentioned in a press launch. “Jacob Gonzalez can complement Nick Gonzales and Jared Triolo on the left facet of the infield in Konnor Griffin’s absence. He’s additionally a flexible, left-handed hitter who has taken important steps this season, and who we consider in long-term.”
Chicago took Gonzalez with the fifteenth general choose within the 2023 draft. He had typically underperformed within the minors till breaking out this season. The 24-year-old posted a large 166 wRC+ in 52 video games at Triple-A. Gonzalez slugged 19 dwelling runs and stole eight bases earlier than his call-up. He got here into the 12 months with 17 dwelling runs throughout three professional seasons.
Murakami’s hamstring damage gave Gonzalez an opportunity to get common reps at first base with the White Sox. He slashed .244/.323/.360 over 97 plate appearances. Gonzalez recorded 2 Defensive Runs Saved in 29 video games at first base. He performed one inning at third base and didn’t see any enjoying time up the center.
Eisert sits under 90 mph with the four-seamer, however he has a four-pitch combine and will get loads of extension (ninety fifth percentile). His slider and changeup each have whiff charges above 32% this season. Eisert is unlikely to usurp high-leverage southpaws Gregory Soto and Mason Montgomery, however he offers supervisor Don Kelly an alternative choice from the left facet.
The White Sox have the primary choose in Saturday’s draft. They now have one other choice on the finish of the primary spherical. The Aggressive Steadiness picks are the one ones that may be traded. The league awards them to the 15 groups utilizing a formulation that considers income, report, and market measurement. Buying and selling for the thirty fourth choose will increase Chicago’s draft bonus pool to round $20.5MM, per Passan.
Woods was taken within the seventh spherical of the 2023 draft. He’s operated nearly completely as a reliever throughout his minor league profession. The 24-year-old has had some huge strikeout seasons, however management has been an issue at occasions. Woods reached Triple-A for the primary time this 12 months. He’s struggled to a 9.31 ERA over 10 appearances, although it’s include a strong 28.3% strikeout fee.
Picture courtesy of Lexi Thompson and Scott Galvin, Imagn Pictures
