Kuzul

The Chicago White Sox pulled off a late trade Saturday night, acquiring left-handed starting pitcher Francisco Liriano from Minnesota and sending Eduardo Escobar and Pedro Hernandez to the Twins (via USA Today).

Liriano will help shore up a White Sox starting rotation that is still missing John Danks due to injury. The White Sox are currently on top of the AL Central division, 2.5 games up on the Detroit Tigers following  their fifth straight victory Saturday night.

The White Sox didn’t give up much for the once-heralded Liriano who just last week got battered around by the White Sox at U.S. Cellular Field. Liriano lasted less than three innings during the 7-4 loss, giving up seven runs and seven hits to the White Sox.

Liriano is just 3-10 this season with the last-place Twins, while possessing a 5.31 earned run average. Liriano, who has battled injuries throughout his seven major league seasons, is currently healthy and adds some needed depth to the White Sox rotation.

Although he pitched well in earning a victory Saturday night over the Texas Rangers, White Sox starter Philip Humber has a bloated ERA of 5.90 and has struggled this season.

All-Star pitcher Chris Sale has logged 124 innings in his first season as a starting pitcher and may need some rest before a potential postseason berth. Sale relied on mostly off-speed pitches Friday night during his win over the Rangers.

The White Sox gave up utility infielder Eduardo Escobar and pitching prospect Pedro Hernandez in exchange for Liriano.

Escobar has played in six minor league seasons, managing only a .315 on-base percentage. In 99 career plate appearances with the White Sox, Escobar had an OBP of .276. Known as a defensive specialist, Escobar made a throwing error during the White Sox’s 5-2 win over the Ranges Saturday night.

The other White Sox player in the deal, Pedro Hernandez, has only made one major league start. The 23-year-old Hernandez has a 3.42 ERA in six minor league seasons.

While Liriano has struggled the last two seasons with the Twins, he did enjoy success on the mound as recently as 2010, when he won 14 games with an ERA of 3.62.

Liriano broke into the league with great fanfare his rookie season with the Twins, earning an All-Star nod while posting a sparkling 2.16 ERA in 28 appearances.

Saturday night’s trade was the first between the division rival Twins and White Sox since 1986.

Liriano is a free agent at the end of this season.

Read more MLB news on BleacherReport.com

With two weeks remaining before the MLB non-waiver trade deadline, the Chicago White Sox have been rumored to be very interested in Milwaukee Brewers pitching ace, Zack Greinke.

The White Sox extended their division lead Tuesday to 3.5 games over the Detroit Tigers, and the White Sox will be looking to shore up their pitching staff following news of another injured starting pitcher.

Starter Gavin Floyd went on the disabled list Tuesday with a sore elbow, prompting the White Sox to announce that rookie Pedro Hernandez will take the mound Wednesday in the series finale at Boston.

With the White Sox still unsure of the date of John Danks’ return to the mound, the necessity of trading for a starting pitcher has undoubtedly forced White Sox general manager Kenny Williams to begin working the phones, looking to make a deal for a big arm.

That big arm just might be Greinke. Rumors of Greinke being dealt from Milwaukee have been swirling for days as the Brewers continue to struggle.

As the White Sox look for ways to improve their playoff chances, Williams will likely be shopping the big names on the trading block, such as Greinke, Cole Hamels and Ryan Dempster.

After trading for third baseman Kevin Youkilis, the White Sox are clearly buyers during the run-up to the trade deadline, and adding either a starter or reliever to their pitching staff would greatly improve their playoff hopes.

Greinke is arguably the biggest name in the trading pool, and his arrival to Chicago would give the White Sox a playoff-caliber starting rotation.

Here is a look at 10 reasons why Greinke should be wearing black in Chicago before the end of the trade deadline.

Begin Slideshow