On December 7th of 2020, the Rangers sent veteran bulldog right-handed pitcher Lance Lynn to the Chicago White Sox for pitching prospects Dane Dunning and Avery Weems.
Lance Lynn pitched some iconic moments in Texas Rangers history including the final game at Globe Life Park where the Rangers defeated the Yankees by a score of 6-1. Lynn went 7.1 innings, only allowing 2 hits, and giving up just one earned run. 
Lynn also pitched the first game at the new Globe Life Field where the Rangers defeated the Rockies by a score of 1-0. Lynn went 6 innings allowing just 2 hits. As all of you know that game was played in front of 0 fans and TONS of cardboard cutouts. 
However, following the 2020 season, the Rangers decided to tear it all down for a complete rebuild and send Lynn to the Chicago White Sox. The Rangers received Dane Dunning who was the number five prospect in the White Sox system and pitching prospect Avery Weems who is currently with AA Frisco.
Who really won this trade? Did the Rangers really rob the Sox?
Well, there is certainly reason to believe that the Rangers won that trade by a landslide so let’s break it down.
During the 2021 season on July 17th, Lance Lynn and the White Sox agreed to a 2-year $38 million dollar contract extension.
Lynn actually pitched really well in the 2021 season. Lynn went 11-6 with a 2.69 ERA,(the lowest of his career). He went on to be an all-star and finish 3rd in AL Cy Young voting.
Although that was the peak, heading into the 2022 season the White Sox announced that Lynn would need to have a procedure on his right knee. Lynn has still not appeared in a game in the 2022 season.
With that being said Lynn just had a pretty significant knee surgery and he is already 35 years old. I’m not saying that he is not going to be able to come back from this but it is a possibility. In addition, it’s even a higher possibility that he does not come back at the same level that he was at.
The Rangers got the opposite end of the spectrum.
Texas has control of Dane Dunning for the next four years. Dunning has had a successful start to the 2022 season. If he can build off his hot start and keep it going, the Rangers will have a solid starter for years to come.
Left-handed pitcher Avery Weems was the other pitching prospect that the Rangers got in return for Lance Lynn. Weems is currently with AA Frisco and is trying to work his way up to the big leagues. With Weems being a lefty there was a path for him to make it to the show and be successful out of the bullpen.
In conclusion, did the Rangers rob the White Sox? It’s really just too early to tell. In terms of any trade, in any sport, I really don’t think you can determine a winner until all of the players are retired.
Although I do see a way in which the Rangers could end up winning this trade by a landslide, there is also a way in which the White Sox could win.
It’s really just too early to tell but this trade is looking good for the Rangers.
