Pitching Depth Must Be White Sox No. 1 Priority at the Trade Deadline

The White Sox bullpen blew a 5-0 lead against the Astros with an eight-run collapse in the seventh inning, then gave up nine runs to the Yankees in a 9-5 loss despite scoring five runs. Chicago enters the deadline with a 4.15 team ERA, which ranks 13th in MLB — respectable but not good enough for a deep playoff run.

Mason Miller is the 27-year-old closer for the San Diego Padres and is considered the game's premier closer. In 42 appearances this season he has 27 saves, a 0.82 ERA, and a 0.824 WHIP, and he remains under club control for three more seasons.

Seranthony Domínguez has lost the closer's role due to recent struggles, leaving the White Sox without an established ninth-inning option. The bullpen has been steadied by Sean Newcomb, Bryon Hudson, Jordan Hicks, and Grant Taylor.

Robbie Ray is a former Cy Young Award winner now with the San Francisco Giants who owns a 3.16 ERA this season. The Giants are motivated to move the final two months of his $25 million salary, and Ray would provide a more reliable back-end rotation option than Erick Fedde or Noah Schultz without requiring a major prospect package.

Foster Griffin is a 30-year-old lefty who reinvented himself after a stint with the Yomiuri Giants in Japan and earned his first All-Star selection with the Washington Nationals. Across 124 innings he owns a 2.76 ERA with an elite 5.6% walk rate, with his cutter being the key to his breakout season.