The Chicago White Sox just can't seem to escape trade rumors involving the Los Angeles Angels.

Even a few months ago, when the White Sox were starting to become a national story because of the way they had overperformed, Angels left-handed pitcher Reid Detmers was a name being linked to the White Sox in trade rumors. Back then, it seemed incredibly realistic. Detmers was off to a strong start, the Angels were already falling out of the playoff race, and he was viewed as a potential acquisition for the White Sox because he wouldn't come at the same price as the big-ticket starting pitchers on the market.

That has started to change. The Angels haven't seemed inclined to trade Detmers, who remains under club control through the 2028 season. And despite his 4.05 ERA and 3-7 record, both of which leave a lot to be desired, Detmers is now being discussed as a more expensive addition than even Tarik Skubal.

Teammate José Soriano seems to be in a similar position. Soriano was an early favorite for the AL Cy Young Award, but he has come back down to earth over the last few months and currently sits with an 8-6 record and a 3.43 ERA over 118 innings pitched. Soriano, though, has been a pretty solid starting pitcher throughout his career. And because he, too, remains under club control through the 2028 season, the asking price remains high as we approach the trade deadline.

Personally, I'd have the White Sox go in a completely different direction. But until the trade deadline passes, Chicago makes a series of different moves, or the Angels trade Detmers and Soriano elsewhere, the White Sox are going to continue being linked to these arms. And the latest report only added more fuel to the fire.

The Angels are reportedly looking for a young catcher in trade negotiations at this year's deadline. A White Sox fan might hear that and think it takes Chicago out of the running, seeing as the team is also in the market for a catcher right now.

But if you take a closer look at the White Sox farm system, they may have the perfect prospect to get a deal done with the Angels.

Boston Smith was acquired in an offseason trade with the Nationals that sent infielder Curtis Mead to Washington. Smith was a sixth-round pick by the Nationals in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Wright State. He was still undervalued as a 22-year-old coming out of the Horizon League, despite hitting 26 home runs during his senior season, which was tied for the most in NCAA Division I baseball.

Smith made his professional debut in the White Sox organization in 2026 and has picked up right where he left off in college. He started in Kannapolis, was quickly promoted to Winston-Salem, and has since earned his way to Double-A Birmingham. Across those three levels, Smith has 20 home runs and a 1.035 OPS this season.

This is a 23-year-old, left-handed-hitting catcher who is on track to debut at some point in 2027, and it's becoming pretty difficult to deny his offensive potential.

Mead is having a great season for the Nationals, with 17 home runs and a .858 OPS. But seeing what Boston Smith has done in the minor leagues renders that pretty irrelevant. The White Sox have a legitimate asset on their hands with Smith. For what it's worth, he has also taken some reps in left field this season. More than 20 percent of his defensive innings have come out there.

Maybe he's part of Chicago's future as a catcher, designated hitter, or even a corner outfielder. And maybe he's a prospect who doesn't appear on top 100 lists yet still carries significant value to an organization like the Angels, who are looking for a young backstop with offensive upside.

If the White Sox do end up swinging a trade for a controllable starting pitcher and landing Detmers or Soriano from the Angels, I currently expect Smith to be part of the deal.