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Anthony Swarzak is going taking the quick trip from Chicago to Milwaukee as the Brewers have traded for the right-handed reliever to help solidify their bullpen as they continue to fight for the division against the Cubs.
The White Sox are currently on a “road trip” but as they’re just on the other side of the city playing the Cubs, Swarzak gets to leave Wrigley, head to Washington to meet the Brewers during their series against the Nationals, and then go right back to Wrigley on Friday when the Brewers head to Chicago looking to put some space between them and the Cubs for the division lead.
Swarzak has struck out 52 batters in 48 1/3 innings this year for the White Sox, where he was on a 1-year contract for $900,000 and has appeared in 41 games.
With a 2.23 ERA and 2.34 FIP, he’ll be a rental for Milwaukee but a solid one as it has been looking to acquire relief help to upgrade its bullpen — even if only marginally.
Ryan Cordell is a 25-year-old minor league outfielder, ranked 17th in the Brewers system (which was itself ranked sixth in the league by ESPN before this season), according to MLB Pipeline, and was spending time with the Colorado Springs Sky Sox in the Pacific Coast League.
Cordell isn’t a bad return for Swarzak, as he’s batting .284 with 10 homers and 45 RBI in 68 games this year in AAA. According to Jeff Passan, he’s a favorite of many scouts and could be ready to join the majors sooner rather than later.
The White Sox are fully in rebuilding mode, so another young gun to pad their ranks and contribute in the future is more than welcome, especially someone who may be able to contribute fairly soon.