MLB trade rumors: Chicago White Sox interested in Tigers' Yoenis Cespedes

After spending most of the year in the basement of the American League Central, the Chicago White Sox have made a recent run, winning won seven in a row. Heading into Thursday's action, the Sox sit just 2 1/2 games out of the second AL wild card slot, ahead of the Tigers. Because of this, the White Sox have scrapped their plans to shop players at the trade deadline, and instead are actively pursuing upgrades.

The thing Chicago needs if they are to attempt a stretch run is offensive output. Chicago position players have somehow managed to post -0.6 fWAR on the year, batting an abysmal .249/.302/.373. One of the biggest culprits is former Tiger Avisail Garcia, who has just a .301 wOBA to go with terrible defense in the outfield.

With that said, there is plenty of potential for an upgrade. Could Chicago look within the division to the Tigers' Yoenis Cespedes?

Have heard chisox are on upton and cespedes now. Things have really turned around for south siders

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 30, 2015

Cespedes is having a banner year, hitting .289/.320/.497 with 17 home runs for the Tigers. His defense in left field has been excellent, with 11 defensive runs saved (DRS) and a UZR/150 of 16.8. He would probably force incumbent left fielder Melky Cabrera to right field in Chicago, with Garcia taking on a bench role.

Of course, intra-divisional trades are difficult to accomplish, especially with both teams sitting in roughly the same spot in the playoff hunt. Nightengale may just be speculating -- he has done a lot of that lately -- but it's worth keeping an eye on.