Chicago White Sox: Untouchable prospects list

For the first time in a few years, the Chicago White Sox are buyers heading into the offseason.

With the annual Winter Meetings on the horizon, the White Sox will certainly be looking to make a trade or two.

Keeping in mind the fact that the White Sox are still in the midst of a rebuild, lets take a look at the prospects that won't be on the move in the next month.

Absolutely no chance of being traded

Eloy Jimenez:

The White Sox top prospect, Eloy Jimenez is the future of the White Sox. Jimenez is the #3 prospect in all of baseball, and is expected to be a prime Rookie of the Year candidate once he gets the call to the majors early next season.

Michael Kopech:

Kopech is the White Sox top pitching prospect, and is out for all of next season due to Tommy John Surgery. TJS or not, Kopech would not be included in any trade, given his high ceiling, and the dedication put towards the development of Kopech thus far in the rebuild.

Dylan Cease:

Like Kopech and Jimenez, Cease is part of the White Sox future core. Their 2018 Minor League Pitcher of the Year, Cease is coming off of an incredible season. While Cease isn't expected in the major leagues until late next season at the earliest, his potential is just too high for the White Sox to include him in any trade discussions.

Luis Robert:

Robert is the dark horse of the White Sox rebuild. Their #4 prospect, Robert was the top international free agent before he signed with the White Sox for over $20-million in 2017. Robert had a huge Arizona Fall League stint this past month, and considering his young age, Robert won't be going anywhere.

Too early to be traded

Nick Madrigal, Steele Walker, all 2018 Draft Picks:

By rule, any draft pick cannot be traded until after the World Series. While the World Series is far past, the White Sox are certainly not going to be dealing any player that has played less than half of a season with the organization. Additionally, Madrigal and Walker are way too valuable, and play too big of a role in the White Sox future plans to be considered in a deal.

Good chance of not being traded

Dane Dunning:

Dane Dunning had a great season in Double-A up until a right forearm injury that shelved him for the rest of the season midway through June. Dunning, if he stays healthy, has a great chance of making it to Chicago at some point in 2019. While the White Sox would prefer to see Dunning make some sort of an impact in the majors before trading him, he doesn't play as big of a role in their future plans to make him completely untouchable.

Luis Alexander Basabe:

Luis Alexander Basabe had a big first half of the 2018 season, earning a spot in the 2018 All-Star Futures Game. While Basabe cooled off a bit in the second-half, he projects as a player with 20-20 potential, and is a toolsy young outfielder. Basabe doesn't have a clear spot in the White Sox future lineup, but his ceiling remains high, and for that, he’s highly unlikely to be dealt.

Notable Exclusions:

• Alec Hansen: Coming off of a horrendous season, but upside remains high, former Top-100 prospect with a solid deal of trade value.
• Blake Rutherford: Slowly progressed, still a while away from the majors, frequently overlooked. Value pretty high, would be the first Top-100 guy to go.
• Micker Adolfo: Has emerged as a potential future difference-maker, but injuries and future projection are causes for concern.
• Zack Collins: Depth at catcher in the organization, emergence of Omar Narvaez, and Collins’ up-and-down 2018 season make him somewhat of a candidate to be traded.