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For all those that ever wondered if the Chicago White Sox and Cubs would ever pull off a blockbuster deal, you no longer have to ponder.
#WhiteSox have acquired OF Eloy Jiménez, RHP Dylan Cease, 1B Matt Rose & INF Bryant Flete from the Cubs in exchange for LHP José Quintana.
— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 13, 2017
For fans that have been half paying attention to prospect rankings and the minor leagues, Eloy Jimenez is a huge get for the White Sox. Ranked as the 5th best prospect according to Baseball America, Jimenez is known for his power potential as he signed for $2.8 million in the 2013 international signing period. On the season, Jimenez is .271/.351/.490 with 8 HR 32 RBI in 42 games with Myrtle Beach in Advanced A. Jimenez instantly becomes the White Sox second best prospect behind Yoan Moncada
Dylan Cease was the Chicago Cubs top pitching prospect. Ranked 83rd best prospect according to Baseball America, Cease is a power arm with a 70-grade fastball and 60-grade curveball scored by MLB Pipeline. In 13 starts with the South Bend Cubs (A), Cease has thrown 51.2 IP with a 2.79 ERA striking out 74 and walking just 26.
After much speculation about if any team would be willing to give up a top 10 prospect, and include that with their second best prospect plus others for Jose Quintana, it’s the Chicago Cubs who stepped up at the end. It’ll be interesting to see if Quintana alone is enough to turn the tide and provide a much-needed spark for the defending champions.
Meanwhile, the Chicago White Sox have Yoan Moncada, Eloy Jimenez, Luis Robert, Zack Collins, and 2017 first rounder Jake Burger in the pipeline. Adding the depth of starting pitching, and South Siders can finally see light at the end of the tunnel.