White Sox Acquire Bailey Horn From Cubs

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The White Sox and Cubs have agreed on a trade sending left-hander  from the Cubs to the Sox in exchange for minor league righty  , per announcements from both clubs. reported on the deal prior to the official announcement.Sharma reported last night that the Cubs were exploring deals to trade a pitcher off the back end of their 40-man roster, in order to open a spot for the newly re-signed  .  Horn, 26, will return to the club that originally selected him in the fifth round of the 2020 draft. He pitched in the Sox system for a portion of the 2021 season but was traded to the Cubs in exchange for veteran reliever  just over a year after being drafted. Current Sox general manager  was the teams farm director in 2020-21 and clearly saw plenty in Horn to like, given that hes now reacquired the lefty.  Horn split the 2023 season between the Cubs Double-A and Triple-A affiliates, pitching to a combined 4.21 ERA in 65 innings out of the bullpen. He fanned a hearty 28.7% of his opponents but struggled with his command, i suing walks at a 12.5% clip. among Cubs farmhands this season, touting a fastball that sits 94-96 mph and a pair of potentially above-average breaking balls (a plus slider Steven Adams Jersey  and a solid curveball). However, BAs report also noted that Horn has a violent arm action that yields well below-average control and significant injury risk.  Now back with the South Siders, Horn will give the Sox a near-term option in the bullpen. Hes pitched exclusively in relief in each of the past two seasons and was only just added to the 40-man roster this offseason, meaning he has a full slate of three minor league option years remaining.  In exchange for Horn, the Cubs will receive the 23-year-old Thompson  a starting pitching prospect whom the White Sox selected in the second round of the 2019 draft. He started 27 games at the Double-A level in 23, pitching to a 4.85 ERA with a 23.9% strikeout rate, 15% walk rate and 40.7% ground-ball rate. Scouting reports on Thompson tout a heater that reaches 97 mph and a potentially plus curveball, but like Horn hes working to overcome below-average command. Baseball America among ChiSox prospects heading into the 2024 season.  Much like Horn, Thompson is a project whos reached the upper minors but will likely need to make some refinements before earning a look at the MLB level. Hes pitched 109 and 124 innings, respectively, over the past two seasons. He could join the rotation in Double-A Tenne see or in Triple-A Iowa and will provide the Cubs with some upper-level rotation depth. The Cubs are increasingly deep in that regard, with names like  ,  ,  and  all in the mix for their final rotation spot, and top prospect  rapidly climbing the organizational ladder.  Willy Hernangomez Jersey