The Chicago White Sox have had a rough start to the season. Between injuries and hitters not performing up to par with expectations, it’s been hard to watch at times for White Sox fans.
They just traded perhaps their best hitter from the 2025 season.
The team announced they have traded infielder Lenyn Sosa to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for minor league outfielder Jordan Rich and a player to be named later or cash considerations.
The Blue Jays selected Rich, 18, in the 17th-round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of high school.
Lenyn Sosa’s Tenure With the Chicago White Sox
The White Sox signed Sosa as a free agent in 2016 at the age of 16.
Sosa would vault through the minor leagues, becoming a top prospect in Chicago’s system.
The White Sox would call up Sosa during the 2022 season. During that year, in 11 games, he would accumulate just four hits in 35 at-bats, good for a .367 OPS.
In 2023, he would play 52 games, exceeding rookie limits. During that season, he would once again struggle, hitting .201 with a .571 OPS.
In 2024, he would play in 100 games for the first time in his career, hitting eight home runs with a .642 OPS. While that number doesn’t seem good on the surface, Sosa would hit much better down the stretch, making a 2025 breakout a possibility.
In 2025, Sosa would indeed break out. In 140 games, Sosa would hit career highs across the board.
Sosa would hit .264 with a .727 OPS, leading the team with 22 home runs and 75 runs driven in.
However, heading into the 2026 season, instead of being considered a key part of a rebuilding team, he was seen as an afterthought as trade rumors swirled.
As the White Sox got younger and younger, Sosa was thought not to be part of the future. The infield got crowded, and Sosa was no longer a starter.
He would get just 33 at-bats in 12 games in 2026 with Chicago, hitting just .212 with a .515 OPS.
What Does This Mean for the Team?
As said before, the White Sox’s crowded infield meant Sosa was the odd man out.
While the players on the roster have not performed well to start the season, there was still more upside in the younger players.
Infielders like Miguel Vargas, Colson Montgomery, Chase Meidroth and Munetaka Murakami made Sosa expendable.
When looking at the White Sox’s pipeline, it made it impossible for Sosa to be a part of Chicago’s future.
Players such as Sam Antonacci, William Bergolla, Caleb Bonemer, Billy Carlson and a potential franchise-transforming infielder with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft are all vying for future spots on the roster.
This makes for tough decisions along the way. However, general manager Chris Getz is ready to make these decisions.
This all led to Sosa’s departure from the team.
However, did Getz trade him at the right time, when all they got was an 18-year-old who hadn’t made his minor league debut and a player to be named later? That remains to be seen.
Either way, Chicago’s future is bright, and this trade should not distract fans from what is to come.
White Sox Trade Best Hitter From ’25 Season Amid Rough Start