Miguel Vargas is an All-Star for the first time, a milestone that comes after the Chicago White Sox acquired him from the Los Angeles Dodgers at the 2024 MLB trade deadline. The 26-year-old has turned that change of scenery into a breakout 2026 season, and his selection adds another bright spot for a White Sox team that has surprised the rest of MLB by sitting atop the AL Central.
Vargas entered Saturday with a.248/.359/.495 slash line and a career-high 20 home runs. He also had 16 doubles, 58 runs scored, 55 RBIs, 51 walks, 63 strikeouts and a career-best 11 stolen bases, production that helped him reach 3.2 bWAR in 88 games. For a player who struggled to establish himself with the Dodgers, that is a significant step forward.
Why the All-Star nod matters
The White Sox have been looking for more stability and production in the infield, and Vargas has given them both at third base. His defense has been solid, and his offense has made him more than just a fill-in option. According to Scott Perkin, Vargas became the first White Sox All-Star at third base since Joe Crede in 2008 and just the sixth third baseman overall in club history.
Perkin also noted that Vargas is the seventh Cuban-born player in White Sox history to be selected as an All-Star, and the first since Luis Robert Jr. in 2023. That adds another layer to the accomplishment, especially for a player whose path to this point included a difficult stretch in Los Angeles before the trade.
What the Dodgers got in return
The deal that sent Vargas to Chicago brought Michael Kopech to the Dodgers, and Kopech played a useful role in their World Series run. But injuries have limited him since then. He pitched just 11 innings in 2025, and in the current season he has yet to record an appearance. That reality has made Vargas’s breakout in Chicago look even more notable in hindsight.
For the White Sox, the trade has delivered a first-time All-Star who is contributing in the middle of a surprising season. For Vargas, it is a clear example of how a fresh start can change the trajectory of a career. And for the Dodgers, it is another reminder that even a trade made with immediate payoff in mind can look different once the injury picture changes.
