On New Year’s Day, the Philadelphia Phillies struck a deal with the Chicago White Sox, trading left-handed reliever Tyler Gilbert for minor league pitcher Aaron Combs. Gilbert, who had been designated for assignment by the Phillies on December 22, netted Philadelphia a 23-year-old right-hander selected in the eighth round of the 2024 MLB Draft.
The Phillies cleared Gilbert from their 40-man roster after acquiring fellow lefty Jesus Luzardo from the Miami Marlins. Luzardo’s exact role with the team in 2025 remains uncertain, but after missing a significant portion of 2024 due to a lumbar injury, he could potentially serve as a bullpen arm. Given Gilbert’s limited opportunities in 2024 and his age (31), the Phillies opted to recoup some value through this trade.
For the White Sox, who are in need of talent, adding Gilbert at the cost of a pitching prospect represents a low-risk move. While Gilbert posted a 3.24 ERA in 2024, his limited sample size of 8.1 innings and concerning peripherals—striking out only 4.32 batters per nine innings—raise questions. His historically low strikeout rate also tempers expectations for his performance.
To make room for Gilbert on their 40-man roster, the White Sox designated infielder Braden Shewmake for assignment. Shewmake endured a dismal 2024 season, recording a .337 OPS and -0.7 WAR over 67 plate appearances.
Phillies and White Sox continue bid for improvement in 2025
Improvement means very different things for the Phillies and White Sox as they head into 2025. Philadelphia, fresh off winning the NL East in 2024, started the year as a dominant force but struggled to maintain momentum midseason. Now, they’re focused on strengthening their roster depth to avoid a similar decline.
On the other hand, the White Sox have nowhere to go but up. After finishing 2024 with a dismal 41-121 record — the worst in MLB history for a 162-game season — they also dealt ace Garrett Crochet, further weakening the team. Any progress would be a step forward for them.
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