In this week’s MLB Mailbag, we’ll take questions on the White Sox’ approach to the trade deadline, which underachieving clubs are most in need of a rebuild, Bobby Witt Jr.‘s contract, some potential Giants trade scenarios and more. Thanks to everyone who submitted questions. Let’s begin!

Dennis asks:

With a somewhat need for a vet starter and/or a vet reliever without over-damaging their prospect pool, who should [White Sox GM Chris] Getz be calling first?

Frankly, I’m not sure they need to worry about over-damaging the prospect pool. Granted, they shouldn’t rip through a bunch of prospect capital in order to rent Tarik Skubal and Freddy Peralta for a couple months, but the White Sox’ roster just looks pretty solid all around. Miguel Vargas, Munetaka Murakami, Colson Montgomery, Sam Antonacci, Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth — this is a really nice nucleus.

The pitching side isn’t as impressive, but that could change if Noah Schultz and/or Hagen Smith find their stride. Davis Martin‘s breakout is intriguing, but he’s recently looked more like the Davis Martin of old after going on an impressive strikeout binge for a few weeks. I may not fully buy the flat 3.00 ERA, but if he’s a 3.75-ish guy, that’s one nice piece. Sean Burke has been good but looks more like an average starter than someone capable of fronting a playoff rotation.

Chicago’s farm system is already good, and they have several core position players now on the roster — to say nothing of the No. 1 overall pick in the upcoming MLB draft. That’ll add one more high-end piece to the system.

Even if Murakami leaves after 2027 — and they could absolutely look at extending him — Vargas could slide to first base while Montgomery and top prospects Caleb Bonemer/Billy Carlson take over the left side of the infield. (Or perhaps potential 1-1 pick Roch Cholowsky.) There’s just a lot to like on the position side of things — so much so that I’d advocate making a real push for multiple years of a starter now, even if it means sacrificing some of the farm depth.

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