White Sox May Be Targeting JR Murphy In Trade

Other than Rule 5 pick Adrian Nieto, @whitesox haven't addressed catching void. Yankees' J.R. Murphy among targets in potential trades.
— Phil Rogers (@philgrogers) December 22, 2013

According to Phil Rogers from MLB.com the Chicago White Sox may be targeting the Yankees young catcher JR Murphy in a trade. The Sox have added some nice young pieces lately including Jose Abreu (26), Adam Eaton (25), and Matt Davidson (22) and now may be turning their attention to a back stop.

The Yankees are going all in once again for the 2014 season so second basemen Gordon Beckham could be attractive and an upgrade over Brian Roberts or whoever else we plan on throwing out there. Jeff Keppinger could also be a cheap option for third base as well as Alexei Ramirez for shortstop. The White Sox could also always blow it up and make John Danks available after a tough season but that may be a stretch admittedly.

Beckham still has two more years of arbitration and team control before becoming a free agent and would be an attractive option, even with his below average bat. Ramirez is expensive with $19.5 million remaining on the contract for 2014 and 2015 with a $10 million team option for 2016 which could be turned down without a buy out. Keppinger has two years left and $8.5 million left on his three year deal that he signed last year after the Yankees tried to acquire him because of his ability to play both second and third base. Keppinger is coming off of a terrible 2013 campaign but is also coming off a terrible shoulder injury so the Yankees could buy low and get a ton of production.

Danks is owed $42 million through 2016 and has been on the Yankees radar forever so could it finally come to fruition? He may have struggled for two seasons now but he may be better than anyone out there besides the top tier free agents that the Yankees have shown zero interest in and could be used to fill in the rotation. Below average or not he eats innings and has been decent and that may be the best the Yankees get this offseason without Masahiro Tanaka.