White Sox Trade Adrian Houser to Rays, Cubs Make Multiple Pitcher Acquisitions

At the 2025 MLB trade deadline, the Chicago White Sox made relatively few moves, most notably trading starting pitcher Adrian Houser to the Tampa Bay Rays for infielder Curtis Mead and minor league pitchers Duncan Davitt and Ben Peoples, a return considered solid for a rental player. Houser's trade nearly happened with the Chicago Cubs, who were more active overall, acquiring pitchers Michael Soroka, Taylor Rogers, Andrew Kittredge, and utility man Willi Castro, though their moves were seen as underwhelming given their injuries. The White Sox chose not to trade key relievers despite a strong market, a decision critiqued as a missed opportunity given the volatility and value of relief pitching. Meanwhile, the White Sox retained productive veterans like outfielder Mike Tauchman, valued not only for performance but also for his clubhouse presence and community ties. Overall, the White Sox focused on acquiring young talent and maintaining team stability while making a few strategic trades to bolster their roster.