Lance Lynn traded to ChiSox, per reports

MLB Trade Rumors: Lance Lynn is heading to the Chicago White Sox, per multiple reports, with the Texas Rangers reportedly receiving in return Dane Dunning and a prospect.

Pretty huge news for the Rangers, as the “will they or won’t they” storyline regarding Lance Lynn was the dominant storyline for Texas this offseason. Lynn has been one of the best pitchers in baseball since the Rangers signed him prior to the 2019 season, but heading into the final year of his contract, and with the Rangers in rebuilding mode, the expectation was that Lynn would be moved if the right deal could be found.

The ChiSox, who seem to be in win-now mode and who just hired the ancient Tony LaRussa as their manager, apparently met the Rangers’ demands. Dunning, a 25 year old righthander, was the Washington Nationals’ first round pick (29th overall) in the 2016 draft out of the University of Florida. Dunning was in the back part of the top 100 lists after the 2018 season, but missed all of 2019 due to Tommy John surgery. He made his major league debut for Chicago in 2020, putting up a 3.97 ERA in 34 IP over 7 starts with a 3.99 FIP. He will almost certainly take Lynn’s place in the Rangers’ 2021 rotation.

No word yet on who the second player coming to Texas is. We will update when we have more information.

UPDATE — The second player is reportedly Avery Weems, a left hander who was taken in the sixth round in 2019 as a senior out of the University of Arizona, fetching just a $10,000 bonus.