Breaking Down the White Sox 2025 Trade Deadline Additions
The White Sox entered the 2025 trade deadline with Luis Robert Jr. drawing significant speculation, but he ultimately remained in Chicago after no contender met the club’s asking price. Chris Getz noted that the club values Luis Robert and he has $20 million options in 2026 and 2027.
“We anticipate him being here, we do,” said White Sox general manager Chris Getz during a Thursday evening Zoom. “If we felt otherwise, maybe we go a different course.” “It starts with Luis and how we feel about him,” Getz said. “You look at what he’s done in the last month or so, and he’s impacting the game in so many different ways, which speaks to the talent he has. We believe in Luis Robert.”
Several arbitration-eligible players also stayed put and the Pale Hose activity was quieter than some anticipated. Still, the front office managed to find value in the margins. By dealing veteran outfielder Austin Slater and pitcher Adrian Houser, they landed a trio of intriguing arms and a former top 100 bat. Much like last year’s Miguel Vargas deal, where the Sox acquired a stalled prospect for short-term veterans, this deadline playbook hinged on finding undervalued upside. While it may not move the needle today, the early return hints at a calculated long-term play that could pay off as these pieces develop and settle into bigger roles.
RHP Gage Ziehl (acquired by White Sox from Yankees for OF Austin Slater)
Ziehl, 22, was ranked as the Yankees’ No. 18 prospect by MLB Pipeline and had recently reached High-A after spending most of the year in Low-A. Drafted out of Miami in the fourth round of the 2024 draft, Ziehl signed for $637,000.
While not overpowering, Ziehl’s calling card is his ability to command his fastball, which typically sits in the 92–94 mph range and can touch 96. His go-to secondary is a mid-80s slider that generates swings and misses, and he’s effectively paired it with a cutter and sweeper that have both played well in-game. He occasionally mixes in a changeup, though it remains inconsistent and will require refinement moving forward.
Ziehl brings a stocky build that helps him maintain balance and repeat his delivery with consistency. His clean mechanics and high three-quarters arm slot allow for reliable command and pitch execution. Yankees scouting director Damon Oppenheimer said in the spring, “He can pitch. Not a pure overpowering high velocity guy, but still 92-95 with sink for ground balls and now some ride for chase up top. Good slider and changeup that can get weak contact and get under bats for miss. He usually has quality command.”
White Sox director of player development Paul Janish added, “We are very excited to add Gage to the system. Our pitching group is excited about his arsenal and his potential to be a starter at the major-league level. Personally, I love his reputation as a fierce competitor.”
Assigned to High-A Winston-Salem, Ziehl will continue to build innings and could emerge as a backend starter candidate. He’s a name who could push into the FutureSox mid-season top 30 update.
INF Curtis Mead (acquired by White Sox from Rays for RHP Adrian Houser)
Curtis Mead headlines the return haul as a 24-year-old infielder with a former Top 100 pedigree and offensive upside that remains intriguing despite recent inconsistencies. After struggling to find consistent playing time in Tampa Bay, the Australian-born bat gets a fresh start in Chicago. White Sox GM Chris Getz noted, “He’s not the first player that has had some major-league struggles early on.”
Although just 12 games, Mead posted a .438 OBP in June with Tampa Bay, giving a glimpse of the offensive potential that once made him a Top 100 prospect. The White Sox are betting that the core traits are still intact. While his overall big-league track record has been uneven, he’s shown promising underlying contact ability and reduced his chase rate this season.
Mead was originally signed in 2018 out of Australia by the Philadelphia Phillies for $200,000. He was involved in a trade for then Cristopher Sánchez with the Tampa Bay Rays after playing two season in the complex league. Mead really broke out in the Rays’ system after that and he was listed as the #55 overall prospect in baseball according to MLB Pipeline in 2024.
Chicago’s front office believes that frequent mechanical tweaks may have hindered Mead’s consistency, and they plan to simplify his development by sticking to a defined plan moving forward. With roster flexibility and infield uncertainty, the Sox see a real opportunity to give Mead the extended look he couldn’t secure in Tampa Bay. The hope is that a more stable role and longer runway will help unlock the version of Mead scouts once projected as an everyday contributor.
RHP Duncan Davitt (acquired by White Sox from Rays in Houser deal)
Davitt, 25, was a low-slot reliever in college who’s been developed as a starter by Tampa Bay. He’s thrown 103.2 innings this season between Double-A and Triple-A, with 105 strikeouts, a 4.08 ERA, and just a 5% walk rate. Davitt has leaned heavily into a deep and balanced arsenal, six distinct pitches, each used with regularity. His mix includes a fastball that can reach 97, along with a cutter, slider, curve, changeup, and even a sinker that he’s introduced selectively.
That pitch variety, combined with solid strike-throwing, gives Davitt a solid shot at holding down a rotation spot. As his trainers at VeloU noted, “One of the remarkable aspects of Davitt’s training philosophy is his emphasis on understanding the nuances of each pitch and how they complement his overall pitching repertoire. From refining his fastball shape to developing a devastating slider with increased sweep, Davitt’s commitment to mastering his craft shines through in every aspect of his game.” The White Sox will likely give him a look as a potential depth option heading into 2026.
RHP Ben Peoples (acquired by White Sox from Rays in Houser deal)
Peoples, rounds out the Houser return and has transitioned into a bullpen role in 2025 after a shoulder injury. With Durham this season, he’s posted a 2.65 ERA across 37.1 innings, striking out 39 and walking 20. He works primarily off a fastball that touches 98 and a slider that sits in the upper 80s. Developing a more consistent third pitch will be key to unlocking his full potential in a high-leverage relief role.
Viewed as a high-risk, high-reward relief arm, Peoples has late-inning upside if the command sharpens. His stuff has played well in short bursts, and the White Sox likely had eyes on him well before the deal, as he was Rule 5 eligible this year. Among the three pitchers acquired, he’s the most likely to debut in Chicago first, with a shot to earn bullpen time as early as this season and a realistic chance to compete for a role next spring. He gives the Sox a power arm with some developmental upside for the bullpen.
Closing Thoughts on White Sox Deadline
Considering the modest expectations for two veterans who weren’t widely viewed as top trade assets, the White Sox came away with a quietly impressive return. Gage Ziehl adds rotation depth to the lower levels with a competitive edge and polished pitch mix. Davitt and Peoples offer different pitching looks with real chances to contribute in the near future, while Mead could slot into the White Sox infield plans immediately.
Curtis Mead may still have something in the tank, and if Ryan Fuller and the White Sox hitting group can help unlock it, this deal could pay real dividends. These aren’t needle-moving headline names, but they align with Chicago’s broader organizational pivot toward acquiring controllable, upper-minors-ready talent with developmental upside. That’s a step in the right direction.
