Deborah Walker
Nov 17, 2023 - 05:05

White Sox acquire shortstops in trade with Braves for Aaron Bummer

White Sox make a five-for-one trade that sends Aaron Bummer to the Braves and lands them two former first-rounders.

The White Sox have quickly found a new shortstop to replace Tim Anderson, who was traded to the Braves in an intriguing five-for-one deal that also involved left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer. The trade brought in Nicky Lopez, a product of Naperville Central High School, who was previously Kansas City's regular shortstop. The Braves also included former first-rounder Braden Shewmake, as well as right-hander Michael Soroka and lefty Jared Shuster, both former first-rounders. The fifth player in the deal is right-hander Riley Gowens, who was selected from the University of Illinois in this year's draft.

This trade sets White Sox general manager Chris Getz apart from his predecessors, Rich Hahn and Ken Williams, and is reminiscent of the one the White Sox made at the winter meetings in 2016. It gives Lopez and Soroka a fresh start after being considered non-tender candidates in Atlanta. The responsibility of their arbitration values, estimated at a combined $6.9 million, moves to the White Sox, who have placed them and the other players on their 40-man roster.

Lopez looks like a lock to replace Anderson in the short term and serve as a mentor to Colson Montgomery, who is expected to arrive at Guaranteed Rate Field. Shewmake could play a utility role in Chicago or return to Triple-A for a third year. He was ranked as the Braves' No. 15 prospect and has shown potential both offensively and defensively.

Lopez has a career slash line of .249/.312/.319 and has shown solid defensive skills, with a career rating of -1 Defensive Runs Saved at short. Statcast has rated him with 96th-percentile range, making him a valuable addition to the White Sox.

This trade is likely to be popular with Bill Seiple, who was Lopez's coach at Naperville Central. Lopez is a testament to the success of local talent, having landed a scholarship at Creighton and being drafted in the fifth round in 2016. The addition of Lopez, along with the other players acquired in the trade, gives the White Sox a new wave of talent and potential for the future.