Last November, the White Sox traded pitchers Steven Wilson and Yoendrys Gómez to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for outfielder Everson Pereira and infielder Tanner Murray in a deal that felt inconsequential at the time. It didn’t take long for things to change. Just a few months later, the trade is paying immediate dividends and looking like a notable win for Chris Getz and the front office.

The White Sox have taken chances on several former top prospects during their rebuild hoping a change of scenery would unlock their potential. And as a former top 100 prospect according to Baseball America, Pereira fit that description. Unlike several of their previous prospect acquisitions, however, it was unfair to label him a bust at the time of the trade. His MLB numbers were rough, but that entire sample consisted of just 176 plate appearances over 50 games between the Yankees and Rays in 2023 and 2025. He had always hit in the minors but never had an extended opportunity at the MLB level to show what he could do.

Potential Breakout Candidate

Pereira has finally gotten a chance at playing every day with the White Sox this season and has made the most of it. Across 41 plate appearances, he is slashing .297/.366/.649 with four doubles and three home runs. He is striking out nearly 30% of the time in this small sample, but is nevertheless showing the immense power that once made him a top prospect in the Yankees system.

With the White Sox outfield currently decimated by injury and underperformance, Pereira should continue getting consistent at-bats. His ability to play center field also helps him. With Sam Antonacci now in left field and Austin Hays capable of playing right once he returns from his hamstring strain, Pereira could see additional at-bats in center. He is also only 25 years old and controllable through the 2031 season. If he continues to prove that he’s the real deal, the White Sox could have a potential core piece on their hands.

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Murray’s Intrigue

Murray offers some intrigue of his own. He hit .304/.467/.609 in six games in Triple-A before getting called up to the big club. His playing time with the White Sox has been inconsistent so far, but one thing that cannot be questioned is his defensive versatility. He has already played third base, shortstop, and left field with the White Sox. He also appeared at both first base and second base with the Knights. At just 26 years old, Murray is an interesting depth option capable of playing multiple positions in the field.

Possible Win For White Sox

It’s still very early, but the return on this trade is looking encouraging for the White Sox so far. Pereira looks like more than a reclamation project and could be on the way to establishing himself as a long-term solution, while Murray could be useful as well. On the other side, Gómez has struggled, allowing 10 runs in 13.1 innings, while Wilson has yet to pitch this season due to lumbar disc inflammation. It seems like the Rays historically end up on the better end of the trades they make, but this deal could flip the script. Pereira turning into a contributor would be a massive win for the White Sox.