White Sox acquire two-time Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle in trade with Rockies originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Chicago White Sox have added another intriguing piece for their postseason push. Chicago is acquiring center fielder Brenton Doyle from the Colorado Rockies, according to The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal and Will Sammon. The players heading to Colorado were not immediately reported.
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Doyle arrives with an impressive defensive résumé and the potential to become much more than a glove-first addition. The 28-year-old won consecutive Gold Glove Awards in 2023 and 2024, establishing himself as one of baseball’s premier defensive center fielders. His 2026 season, however, has been complicated by injuries and offensive struggles.
Doyle is batting .214 with one home run, five RBIs and a .569 OPS through 45 games. He recently returned from the injured list after missing more than two months because of an oblique injury and a subsequent groin issue. Chicago is betting that a change of scenery can help him rediscover the form that once made him one of Colorado’s most exciting young players.
Brenton Doyle gives White Sox an elite defensive option
Doyle’s defense should immediately strengthen the White Sox outfield. He won a Gold Glove during each of his first two full major league seasons, using his speed, range and powerful throwing arm to take away hits in center field. During his rookie season, Doyle produced a 105.7 mph throw from the outfield, which MLB.com identified as the fastest by a position player since Statcast tracking began in 2015.
That athleticism gives Chicago a dependable defender at one of the most important positions on the field. The larger question is what Doyle can provide offensively.
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He enjoyed a breakout season in 2024, batting .260 with 23 home runs, 72 RBIs and 30 stolen bases across 149 games. That combination of power, speed and defense made him appear to be a potential long-term building block for Colorado.
Doyle was unable to maintain that production in 2025, hitting .235 with 15 home runs and 18 stolen bases. His numbers declined further this season as injuries kept him from finding any sustained rhythm.
There were encouraging signs during his recent rehabilitation assignment, however. Doyle batted .395 with two home runs, eight RBIs and a 1.098 OPS over 11 games for Triple-A Albuquerque before returning to the Rockies.
He also collected hits in both of his games after being activated, going 2-for-6 with a double, one RBI and two walks.
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White Sox make another win-now move
The trade is a fascinating gamble for a White Sox team trying to improve every part of its roster before the deadline. Doyle does not need to become a middle-of-the-order star to make an impact. His defense and speed alone can help Chicago, particularly in close games during a playoff race. If his bat returns to anything close to its 2024 level, the White Sox could emerge with one of the deadline’s most underrated additions.
The deal also gives Doyle a fresh start after a difficult stretch in Colorado. The Rockies entered Monday with a 45-67 record and sat 24 games behind the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League West. Their crowded outfield made Doyle’s future less certain, especially with several younger options pushing for playing time.
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Chicago can offer him an opportunity to contribute to meaningful games immediately.
The White Sox are not acquiring Doyle based solely on what he has done during an injury-plagued 2026 season. They are betting on the player who combined 23 home runs, 30 stolen bases and Gold Glove defense only two years ago. That version of Doyle would represent a major upgrade. Even if his offense takes time to return, his glove gives Chicago something it can trust right away.