White Sox Acquisition of Nomar Mazara From Rangers Could Be Sleeper Trade of Off-Season

While the baseball world is justly focusing its attention of Gerrit Cole's $300 million plus deal with the New York Yankees, there is a trade that was made last night which got my attention.


The Texas Rangers have parted ways with outfielder Nomar Mazara sending him to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for minor league outfielder Steele Walker.


The Dominican born Mazara had spent his entire four year big league career with the Rangers driving in 101 runs in 2017. A late season oblique injury diminished his power numbers in 2019 as he hit .268 with 19 HR and 66 RBI.


At least one member of the White Sox will be happy to see join the squad. His fellow countryman Reynaldo Lopez surrendered a 505 foot HR to Mazara on June 21st. In the year of the HR, it was the longest in MLB last season.

I think the Rangers gave up on Mazara far too soon. He is only 24 after all and hasn't reached the peak of his career. I think Mazara is going to see a lot of good pitches in a lineup that includes Jose Abreu, Eloy Jimenez, Yoan Moncada and Tim Anderson. The Yankees might have made the biggest splash with signing Cole, but the White Sox might very well have made the sleeper deal of the season. Mazara could be the missing piece which puts the Chisox into the post-season for the first time since 2008.