What to watch as White Sox near Deadline 

CHICAGO -- White Sox fans paying close attention to the last two days before the Trade Deadline should be operating under one basic premise.

Their team is not going to make any moves, or better yet, doesn’t need to make any moves. Of course, it doesn’t mean the White Sox won’t make any moves before 3 p.m. CT on Wednesday.

The White Sox could be sellers, but they also could be buyers. Somewhat confusing?

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Such is the state of the White Sox in Year 3 of their rebuild. Here’s a deeper look at three categories analyzing what might or might not happen for the South Siders leading into Tuesday.

Bullpen moves

Alex Colomé has posted 21 saves in 22 opportunities, just two seasons removed from leading the American League with 47 saves. The right-hander clearly knows how to close out games and should generate serious looks from playoff contenders, with MLB.com’s Jon Paul Morosi reporting Monday the Phillies having continued interest. But the White Sox also have contractual control over Colome through the 2020 season, meaning they would pretty much need to receive what they wanted.

Southpaw Aaron Bummer has been a breakthrough relief sensation in 2019, while fellow southpaw Jace Fry has not allowed an earned run over his last 12 appearances covering 9 2/3 innings. Bummer doesn’t hit free agency until ’25, with Fry doing the same in ’24.

Relievers can be developed from within, and some of the best White Sox bullpen arms when the prime contention period arrives should be converted starters who didn’t crack the front five. Getting what the White Sox can for these talented individuals make sense.

On the flip side, if the White Sox believe they can take another step forward in 2020, as they did during a 42-44 first half this season, having a bullpen locked in with Colome, Bummer, Fry and Evan Marshall helps that effort. The White Sox have a 34-1 record when leading after six innings, a 35-1 mark when leading after seven and a 35-0 ledger when leading after eight this season.

Jose Abreu

The White Sox first baseman for the past six years remains an elite middle-of-the-order presence. He’s playing in his final season of contractual control in Chicago, but Abreu is a vastly different story than other past expiring contracts from this rebuild.

Abreu is not just a major part of the offense, but he’s a true organization staple. He’s a mentor to top young players such as Eloy Jimenez and Yoan Moncada, as well as Luis Robert, who will be an everyday player by early 2020 at the latest. Abreu wants to finish his career with the White Sox, and the White Sox seem to be on that same page with keeping him.

A trade could take place with Abreu before Wednesday, and the team still could bring him back through free agency. But the team acquiring Abreu would have to be pretty much willing to pay with prospects for a two-month rental. There have been some quips about Abreu reducing his negotiating power by joking he will sign himself back if the White Sox don’t, but other teams interested in Abreu know where his preference falls for 2020 and beyond.

Buyers?

White Sox chairman Jerry Reinsdorf once said the only untouchable he ever had trade-wise wore No. 23 for the Bulls. But top young players such as Robert, Jimenez, Tim Anderson and Michael Kopech would be a few players close to that list in the present.

General manager Rick Hahn talked earlier this season about not being at the point where they were ready to move prospects, although that point could be coming in the offseason. Any player added would need to have control for the next two or three years and not greatly subtract from the perennial playoff contender they are trying to build.