The White Sox and Cubs pulled off a minor trade on Saturday, with Jeb Hoyer and the North Siders trading infielder Gage Workman to their crosstown rivals for cash considerations.
The 25-year-old infielder turned heads in Spring Training after slashing .364/.420/.705 with four homers and 15 RBIs. But the Rule-5 draft pick out of Detroit failed to replicate that success, going 3-for-14 with a pair of RBIs before getting let go after nine games. He also struggled defensively at third base, committing two errors in four starts at the hot corner.
While Workman was grateful for his opportunity on the Northside, he is eager to face his former team.
“Grateful for my time with the Cubs and good people over there,” Workman told the Chicago Tribune. “But now I’m here with the White Sox and I’m excited to be here and now I want to beat the Cubs.”
Workman was placed in a tough spot with the Cubs, a team that is vying for a division title, which limited his opportunities for playing time. As a Rule 5 Draft pick, Workman must remain on the White Sox’s major league roster for the entire 2025 season, or he will be offered back to the Tigers at a discounted rate. Given their roster situation, it’s easier for the White Sox to find a role for Workman than it would be for the Cubs, who boast significantly greater infield depth.
The White Sox view Workman as a versatile athlete with left-handed power, hoping he can energize a struggling offense while providing defensive flexibility off the bench. However, manager Will Venable indicated that Workman will primarily see action at third base, where he feels most comfortable defensively.
Workman will replace Nick Maton, who was designated for assignment by the White Sox in a corresponding move. Maton is the more established MLB player, but doesn’t figure to have a long-term future with the team, serving as a placeholder for an offense desperately in need of left-handed bats.
He has appeared in 207 major league games over the last five seasons. That total includes 23 games with Chicago this year, after Maton’s minor league contract was selected for the Opening Day roster. He batted .173/.295/.327 over 61 plate appearances, a slash line that closely mirrors his career averages.
Maton is out of minor-league options, but if he clears waivers, the White Sox could add him to the Triple-A roster to keep some added depth in the farm system.
