“Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox Finalize Blockbuster Trade, Paving the Way for 2025 Enhancements”
On New Year’s Day, the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago White Sox completed a trade, with the Phillies sending left-handed reliever Tyler Gilbert to the White Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Aaron Combs. Gilbert, who was designated for assignment by the Phillies on December 22, brought in the 23-year-old right-handed pitcher, who was drafted in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
The Phillies made room for Gilbert’s departure after acquiring lefty Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins. While Luzardo’s role for 2025 remains unclear, following his recovery from a lumbar injury that sidelined him for a large portion of 2024, he could potentially fill a bullpen spot. With Gilbert limited to few appearances in 2024 and at 31 years old, the Phillies decided to trade him for potential value.
For the White Sox, who are looking to rebuild their roster, acquiring Gilbert at the expense of a pitching prospect is a low-risk move. While Gilbert posted a solid 3.24 ERA in 2024, his limited innings (8.1) and poor strikeout numbers—only 4.32 strikeouts per nine innings—raise concerns about his effectiveness going forward.
To make room for Gilbert, the White Sox designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment. Shewmake struggled throughout 2024, finishing with a .337 OPS and -0.7 WAR in 67 plate appearances.
As both teams move into 2025, their strategies for improvement differ greatly. The Phillies, coming off a strong 2024 that saw them win the NL East, are focused on bolstering their roster depth to avoid midseason slumps. In contrast, the White Sox are looking to rebuild after a disastrous 41-121 finish in 2024, the worst record in MLB history for a 162-game season. Any progress in 2025 would represent a significant step forward for them.
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