Pittsburgh Pirates: Potential Trade Fits for Ben Gamel

DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 16: Ben Gamel #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the first inning at Coors Field on July 16, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
DENVER, COLORADO - JULY 16: Ben Gamel #18 of the Pittsburgh Pirates bats against the Colorado Rockies in the top of the first inning at Coors Field on July 16, 2022 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /
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CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 23: Josh Harrison #5, AJ Pollock #18, and Adam Engel #15 of the Chicago White Sox celebrate the 5-4 win against the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JULY 23: Josh Harrison #5, AJ Pollock #18, and Adam Engel #15 of the Chicago White Sox celebrate the 5-4 win against the Cleveland Guardians during game two of a double header at Guaranteed Rate Field on July 23, 2022 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

Chicago White Sox

Few MLB teams have been a bigger disappointment and underachieved more thus far this season than the Chicago White Sox. That said, they entered play on Thursday just 3.0 game behind the Minnesota Twins for first place in the AL Central.

Chicago’s lineup is very right-handed heavy. Gamel could help this. Like the Mets, the White Sox are also in need of outfield depth. Luis Roberts is on the injured list, and AJ Pollock, Adam Engel and Gavin Sheets are all having poor offensive seasons for the White Sox.

As for a possible return, the Pirates could target one of the White Sox lesser touted pitching prospects. Someone such as Kade McClure, who is currently in the starting rotation at Triple-A, or Davis Martin who has a 4.67 ERA and a 4.20 FIP in 27 MLB innings (six appearances, three starts) this season could be targets for Cherington and the Pirates.

Even though the White Sox may be less inclined to move him for a rental, 19-year-old Cristian Mena is a name that could interest the Pirates as well. Mena has made 17 starts, pitching 79.2 innings between Low-A and High-A this season, positing a 3.28 ERA, 3.22 FIP and a strong 29.0% strikeout rate.