MLB Trade Rumors: White Sox & Mets Becoming Trade Partners

The Chicago White Sox are seriously in pursuit of a starting pitcher. Their rotation is far from playoff-ready, though the Pale Hose offensive lineup does seem to be. Averaging 6.5 runs per game over their last six while holding down top spot in the AL Central Division, they're starting to focus their sights on some pitchers, and they have the New York Mets on their radar. 

Per Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the ChiSox are eyeing Clay Holmes, who is a potential free agent after the season, with an opt-out on his $12M remaining for one more year. Even though he hasn't pitched in over two months due to a broken leg, he's on the mend and is being scouted by Chicago as a trade target. 

The Chicago White Sox sent Nick Hostelter, their special assistant, to keep taps on Mets starter Clay Holmes, who has begun his rehab assignment after breaking his right fibula on May 15.

After posting an excellent 2.39 ERA through his first nine starts of the season before his fractured leg, he is now just beginning a rehab assignment and should be able to return around or about the trade deadline in two weeks. 

Unfortunately, Hostelter  & the Sox—and any other teams with interest—were not able to see him pitch as expected this past weekend, as his scheduled rehab outing for High-A Brooklyn was rained out. Instead, Holmes was forced to throw a private 45-pitch live bullpen session.

According to Anthony Di Como of mlb.com, "Multiple rival talent evaluators suggested that a market for Holmes should exist in muted form," despite the lack of eyes on him in so long, and "the most likely outcome remains a trade."

As for the White Sox, their current rotation is headed up by the up-and-down Davis Martin and Sean Burke, and come playoff time, that will just not be sufficient. Holmes is a nice target for the "in it", but not "all the way in" White Sox. Freddy Peralta from the Mets could also be on their hit list.