White Sox warned to make vital decision after disastrous trade

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White Sox warned to make vital decision after disastrous trade

Originally posted on ChiCitySports | By Matthew Schmidt | Last updated May 22, 2026 9:32 PM ET

Earlier this month, the Chicago White Sox acquired veteran pitcher Trevor Richards in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies, hoping he would help stabilize their bullpen.

Well, the opposite has happened, as Richards has already allowed eight runs on seven hits over 4.2 innings of work, surrendering three home runs. That’s good for a 15.43 ERA, and if the White Sox want to continue making a push in the AL Central, they probably can’t afford to put him on the mound.

Richards has been respectable in the past, but he barely pitched in 2025, and he posted a 4.55 ERA in 55 appearances and two starts between the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins in 2024. In fact, the 33-year-old hasn’t registered an ERA in the 3s since 2021.

It’s probably already time for Chicago to admit the Richards trade was a miss and to move on to other options, and that is exactly what Noah Phalen of Southside Showdown feels the White Sox should do.

Phalen also recommended that Chicago swap out Richards for a minor-league youngster.

Chicago White Sox urged to promote Ben Peoples

Jul 25, 2024; Arlington, Texas, USA; A general view of the Chicago White Sox ball bag before a game against the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports

If the White Sox decide to cut ties with Richards, they can just promote another reliever from within their system, and Phalen feels it should be Ben Peoples.

“Right-hander Ben Peoples, who the White Sox acquired in a trade with the Rays last season, has a 0.79 ERA in 17 appearances in Charlotte, striking out 30 in 22.2 innings,” Phalen wrote. “Though the team would love another veteran presence, Peoples is a 25 year-old right-hander having an excellent season and there’s no reason to not give him a shot at the big league level. Moving on from Richards would be the simplest move.”

Peoples was originally selected by Tampa Bay in the 22nd round of the 2019 MLB Draft and was a starter in the Rays’ organization through 2024 before transitioning to a relief role last season. That was when Chicago landed Peoples in a trade, and the results have been impressive.

The White Sox have one of the worst bullpens in baseball, laying claim to a 4.63 ERA this season. If Chicago truly wants to contend for a playoff spot, it will need to make some moves here, and that could include dumping Richards in favor of Peoples.

As Phalen said, it seems like a very simple procedure for the White Sox, and it’s something they should do as soon as possible.

This article first appeared on ChiCitySports and was syndicated with permission.

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