The Chicago White Sox continued an eventful Tuesday by carefully reshaping their 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft protection deadline. After making several internal moves to align their roster with organizational priorities, they followed up with a notable trade involving the Tampa Bay Rays—one that brings in two new position-player prospects while sending out a pair of right-handed pitchers.
According to a report from Bob Nightengale of USA Today, Chicago has acquired outfielder Everson Pereira along with infielder Tanner Murray, while parting ways with relievers Yoendrys Gómez and Steven Wilson. Though not a blockbuster, the deal represents the type of strategic roster shuffle both teams have become known for in their attempts to uncover undervalued talent.
Among the four players involved, Pereira is likely the name that rings the most bells for fans across baseball. Once regarded as one of the brighter young talents in the New York Yankees’ farm system, Pereira seemed destined for a long-term future in the Bronx. His combination of raw power, defensive ability, and athleticism made him a recurring presence on top-prosect lists. However, his brief stint in the majors with New York—just 27 games—failed to provide the breakout moment many had anticipated.
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The Yankees ultimately decided to move him last season, sending him to the Rays in exchange for infielder Jose Caballero, a transaction rooted in each team’s shifting priorities. With Tampa Bay, Pereira’s performance did not dramatically improve, though his small sample size leaves plenty of room for speculation. Across 23 games with the Rays, he posted a .138 batting average, launching two home runs, driving in eight runs, and stealing two bases. While those numbers may not jump off the page, the White Sox see an opportunity. Chicago is willing to gamble that a new environment, fresh coaching, and lower-pressure surroundings might allow the 24-year-old to rediscover his offensive rhythm and tap back into his once-elite potential. For a rebuilding team looking for upside plays, Pereira fits the mold.
The second player headed to Chicago, infielder Tanner Murray, finished the 2025 season at the Triple-A level, where he was a consistent presence for Tampa Bay. Over 137 games, Murray produced a .241 batting average, complementing it with 18 home runs, 58 runs batted in, and five stolen bases. His numbers demonstrate both durability and the ability to contribute moderate power. While he has yet to receive a genuine opportunity in the majors, the White Sox might prove to be the organization that finally grants him that chance.
Chicago’s infield depth remains a work in progress, and Murray’s versatility—along with his experience across multiple minor-league seasons—could position him for a call-up in the near future. He may not have the prospect pedigree of Pereira, but his steady Triple-A production gives him a realistic pathway to contributing on the South Side.
On the other side of the transaction, Tampa Bay receives two pitchers with very different profiles. The most established of the duo is right-hander Steven Wilson, who was one of the more reliable bullpen arms for the White Sox during the 2026 season. Wilson appeared in 59 games, delivering a solid 3.42 ERA while striking out 51 batters and walking 22—a respectable K/BB ratio that reflects a pitcher capable of handling high-leverage situations.
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His slider-heavy repertoire and ability to induce swing-and-miss make him an intriguing addition to the Rays, an organization known for maximizing the strengths of its relievers. Given Tampa Bay’s track record of squeezing elite production out of pitchers who arrive with raw tools, it would not be surprising to see Wilson evolve into a key piece of their bullpen as early as next season.
The other pitcher in the deal, Yoendrys Gómez, brings a different kind of appeal. Though he has less major league experience than Wilson, he possesses traits that align perfectly with the Rays’ developmental philosophy. Gómez made six appearances for the Yankees during the 2025 season, posting a 2.70 ERA.
His strikeout-to-walk numbers—five strikeouts against nine walks—suggest that control still remains a significant area for improvement. However, the Rays have long demonstrated a knack for refining pitchers with Gómez’s type of raw arm talent. Add to that his 27 total MLB games of exposure, and Tampa Bay likely sees him as a project worth investing in. If he finds greater command under their guidance, Gómez could emerge as yet another successful reclamation story for the Rays’ pitching factory.
Trades between the White Sox and Rays are hardly a rarity. The two franchises have engaged in a variety of deals over the past several years, most recently involving pitcher Adrian Houser, whom Tampa Bay acquired at the trade deadline. The repeated willingness to match up reflects a mutual trust and an understanding that each club evaluates talent in ways that occasionally overlap, sometimes allowing one to offload a player who no longer fits their long-term blueprint in exchange for someone who might. This most recent trade continues that trend. It may not draw widespread attention or dominate offseason headlines, but it represents a calculated effort by both sides to address specific organizational needs while searching for undervalued assets with potential for growth.
From Chicago’s perspective, the trade aligns perfectly with their current approach: adding young position players who might benefit from fresh scenery and increased playing time. As the White Sox continue to build for the future, they appear focused on identifying hitters who might flourish outside of their previous environments. Pereira’s prospect status and Murray’s steady minor-league track record make this a classic upside play with minimal downside.
For Tampa Bay, the acquisition of Wilson and Gómez reinforces their ongoing strategy of fortifying the bullpen. Few organizations use relievers as creatively—or as effectively—as the Rays. Pitchers who appear ordinary elsewhere often emerge as impact arms once molded within Tampa Bay’s system. By adding Wilson, they obtain a pitcher who already demonstrated the ability to succeed in a significant role. Gómez, meanwhile, fits their mold of a physically talented arm who could blossom under the right tutelage.
Ultimately, both franchises walk away with pieces that match their long-term visions. The White Sox add offensive depth and potential future starters, while the Rays bolster their pitching pipeline with arms that could contribute quickly or develop into long-term assets.
Though this trade may not capture the same level of attention as headline-grabbing signings or blockbuster moves involving stars, it carries meaningful implications. These types of under-the-radar deals frequently play a role in shaping the middle layers of competitive rosters. If even one of the players involved reaches his developmental ceiling, the trade could be viewed very differently in hindsight.
For now, the transaction highlights two teams seeking value where others may not be looking, relying on scouting insights and player-development confidence. Chicago hopes Pereira’s raw tools flourish in a new home and that Murray finds his path to the majors. Tampa Bay is betting that Wilson and Gómez can sharpen their stuff within a pitching system known for getting the most out of its arms.
While the move may feel subtle amid the flurry of offseason activity, deals precisely like this can become foundational pieces for competitive clubs. Both the White Sox and Rays are banking on the possibility that they have uncovered their next hidden gems, and only time will reveal how impactful this multi-player trade will ultimately become.
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