White Sox Trade Jacob Gonzalez to Pirates for 34th Draft Pick, Targeting Landon Thome

In a surprising turn of events, the Chicago White Sox have traded Jacob Gonzalez to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for the 34th pick in Saturday’s draft, a Competitive Balance pick for 2026. The deal, which was solidified shortly after Gonzalez was pulled from a game at Triple-A Charlotte during a seven-run third inning against the Nashville Sounds, includes a swap of left-handed relievers. The White Sox sent Brandon Eisert eastward in return for Triple-A pitcher Jaden Woods.

Rumors are swirling that the White Sox have their eyes set on prep slugger Landon Thome, the son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome. The signing bonus slot value for the 34th pick is $2,897,400, a figure that could prove critical in convincing Thome to forgo his commitment to Florida State University and kickstart his professional career in Chicago.

This decision comes at a significant cost, as Gonzalez has been making waves at Triple-A Charlotte this season. The White Sox’s first-round pick in 2023 has finally found his power stroke, boasting an impressive .317/.419/.669 batting line with 19 home runs, tying him for fifth in all of Triple-A despite playing in 28 fewer games than the league leader. His versatility has also been on display, as he has appeared at every infield position.

While Gonzalez’s offensive performance dipped during his brief stint in Chicago, where he posted a 93 OPS+, he still managed to accumulate a 0.4 WAR in just 30 games, indicating he was nearly an average major leaguer. On the other hand, Eisert had a lackluster season in 2026, ending with a 5.93 ERA over 25 games after a solid rookie campaign in 2025 where he recorded a 4.39 ERA across 72 appearances.

With Eisert’s departure, the White Sox will need to make a roster move, likely promoting someone from Charlotte, which will be announced soon. Meanwhile, Woods has had a promising season at Triple-A, having been promoted from Double-A in June after posting a 3.16 ERA over 17 games. However, he has faced challenges against more advanced hitters, with his WHIP rising to 1.655 in 10 Triple-A games.

Landon Thome, currently ranked 33rd on Keith Law’s draft board and 34th on the MLB Pipeline board, is seen as a player with tremendous potential. Primarily a shortstop, he is also listed as a second baseman and third baseman—positions where his father made his mark. Thome’s impressive high school career included a .533 batting average, eight home runs, 35 RBIs, 49 stolen bases, and a staggering 1.676 OPS during his senior year at Nazareth Academy.

Note: This recap is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting.