White Sox sign former Dodgers trade acquisition to minor-league contract

Former Tigers top prospect Andre Lipcius was a low-key pickup for the Los Angeles Dodgers back in late February, as spring training was in full swing.

The Tigers designated him for assignment after a disappointing showing through four spring games, and the Dodgers picked him up in a cash trade a few days later. Lipcius put up better numbers at Camelback over just two games, but it was far from enough to get him onto the Dodgers' stacked Opening Day roster.

Lipcius spent the entirety of the 2024 season in Oklahoma City after being DFA'ed and clearing waivers, and he had a pretty good year at Triple-A. His .271 average and .809 OPS both ranked third among all of OKC's hitters, and his 25 homers, 89 RBI, and 68 walks ranked second.

It wasn't enough to ensure a place on the Triple-A roster in 2025, though, because the club released him on Dec. 16. On Wednesday, he returned to the AL Central on a minor league deal with the White Sox that included an invitation to spring training.

Dodgers trade acquisition, former Tigers top prospect Andre Lipcius signs minor league deal with the White Sox

Lipcius was a third-round draft pick for the Tigers in 2019 and their No. 26 prospect by 2022 after moving up to Triple-A and hitting .302 with an .841 OPS. The Tigers gave him his first drive at the majors in September 2023. He appeared in 13 games, eight as Detroit's starting third baseman, and actually hit decently (the highlight was first major league home run in a 10-0 rout against the White Sox) before the Tigers sent him back down.

After being traded to the Dodgers, Lipcius voiced his excitement about being a part of "the best org in baseball," and it's more than a little tragic that he's voluntarily moving over to what's widely known as the worst organization in baseball.

However, he definitely has a better shot of making it back to the majors on the Southside than he does in LA. Gavin Lux's future at second base may be in danger, but there's a much higher likelihood that the Dodgers would try to sign or trade for a replacement rather than take a chance on a minor leaguer, no matter how well he hit in Triple-A.

At least, if Lipcius makes it back to the majors, he and Miguel Vargas can commiserate about their shared exile in Chicago.