White Sox trade Dan Jennings to Rays for Casey Gillaspie

First reported by Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times, Chicago and Tampa Bay agree on a deal that has the White Sox sending left-handed reliever Dan Jennings to the Rays for first baseman prospect Casey Gillaspie.

After having a career best season in 2016, Jennings was a steady performer the White Sox in 2017. In 48 games, he threw 44.1 innings with 38 strikeouts and 19 walks. For his career, Jennings has pretty even splits against righties (.253/.331/.378) and lefties (.253/.331/.340). However, he made significant strides this season performing very well against left handers while assuming more of a LOOGY role for the White Sox this year. In 85 PA, Jennings has limited lefties to a slash line of .169/.286/.211. Another benefit for the Rays is that Jennings is under control through the 2019 season.

That control is why the White Sox may have received a better return than they did sending Anthony Swarzak to Milwaukee. Casey Gillaspie, the younger brother of Connor, is a 2014 first rounder from Wichita State. At 24-years old, Gillaspie was a preseason Baseball America Top-100 prospect this season after a successful 2016 campaign where he hit .284/.388/.479 with 18 HR and 64 RBI with a 21.1% K rate. This season, Gillaspie has struggled in AAA for the Durham Bulls, where he is hitting .227/.296/.357 with just 9 HR and 44 RBI in 95 games.

It will be interesting to see how Gillaspie fits with the Charlotte Knights. The roster currently has Danny Hayes at first base and Cody Asche as the DH, but Asche can move to the OF once the White Sox officially make a corresponding move to replace Avisail Garcia, who is heading to the 10-day disabled list. Gillaspie will be worthwhile to keep a watchful eye on because if he can regain his 2016 form, this is a player who could contribute in the majors as soon as next year.