White Sox open for business after sending Grossman to Rangers

Do you have a baseball team and need a spare part? Give the White Sox a call.

They made an interesting trade on Wednesday, sending outfielder Robbie Grossman to the Texas Rangers for 23-year-old pitcher Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa. It certainly won’t be the last of these small deals executed by Chris Getz, the first-year general manager of the rebuilding White Sox.

The team’s investment in Grossman is minimal, as they signed him to a split contract on March 22, paying him a prorated portion of his $1.5 million salary for just 34 days. During that time, they signed another right-handed free agent outfielder, Tommy Pham, to a one-year contract worth $3 million.

Although not considered a top prospect, Hoopii-Tuionetoa pitched well out of the bullpen for Texas’ Double-A team. He struck out 16 in 12 1/3 innings over 12 appearances, after striking out 67 in 43 2/3 innings in his first full professional season. He was a 30th-round pick out of Pierce (Wash.) College in 2019.

Grossman, 34, had just passed through the White Sox. He had played in 25 games before returning to the team he had helped win the World Series the previous season. Grossman essentially replaces preseason Rookie of the Year candidate Wyatt Langford, who hit .224 with one home run in 116 at-bats before landing on the injured list with a strained hamstring.

It’s no surprise that the 8-28 White Sox are early sellers. But while the focus has been on the potential for big trades involving the likes of Luis Robert, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Michael Kopech, the Grossman transaction illustrates the likelihood that Getz will be busy making small deals before the deadline .

Pham, 36, came to the White Sox largely to showcase himself in a trade with a contender. He is off to a good start, hitting .282 with two home runs in 39 at-bats since joining the team on April 26.

Shortstop Paul DeJong, catcher Martin Maldonado, outfielder-first baseman Gavin Sheets and infielders Nicky Lopez and Danny Mendick are on the list of trade candidates under Pham.

Veteran starters Chris Flexen, Brad Keller and Mike Clevinger could fill the needs of teams that need to add rotation depth. The inventory of relievers the Sox could trade includes right-handers John Brebbia, Dominic Leone and Steve Wilson, along with left-handers Tim Hill and Tanner Banks.

Getz will likely try to free up space for young pitchers like Hoopii-Tuionetoa as the season progresses. They’ve already looked at four rookies and it looks like they’re just getting started.