Would Justin Masterson be the right pitcher for the White Sox?

Aug 30, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Justin Masterson (63) delivers a pitch against the Chicago Cubs at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports

One player I’m not 100-percent sold on the Chicago White Sox and their interest in free agent right-handed pitcher Justin Masterson from the way he pitched last season with the Cleveland Indians and the St. Louis Cardinals.

The reason I mention him in writing about the Chicago White Sox is The Cleveland Plain Dealer wrote the following in an article late in November:

"“As for the White Sox, if good impressions count, Masterson is golden. He’s 9-6 with a 2.36 ERA lifetime against them.”"

The article also stated:

"“Masterson, 30, has received inquiries from the four other teams in the AL Central – Detroit, Kansas City, Minnesota and Chicago. The Chicago Cubs have shown interest as well.”"

In ’14, Masterson was 7-9 overall with a 5.88 ERA in 28 games, including 25 starts. With the Indians (19 starts in ’14), the RHP had an ERA of 5.51, and with the Cardinals, his ERA was 7.04 (nine games, six starts).

The strikeout numbers for Masterson declined as well last season with 116 in 128 innings pitched, but he did pitch in 64 fewer innings than he did in ’13 when he collected 195 strikeouts, a career-high in a season with 32 games played (29 starts).

Jul 1, 2014; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Cleveland Indians starting pitcher Justin Masterson (63) in the first inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

For his seven-year career, Masterston has racked up 1,141.2 innings pitched and has walked 471 batters, including 69 last season, amounting to a 3.9 BB9 (9xBB/IP) in his stints with the Indians and Cardinals.

What I do like about Masterson is he’s familiar with the AL Central, so that is one plus in signing Masterson, but on the other hand, the AL Central is familiar with Masterson as well.

Masterson is just one season removed from being an All-Star with the American League, but I question if last year was a sign of things to come for the 6-6, 250-pound pitcher, or if it was one of those seasons that just got away from the hurler.

The last time Masterson had a positive WAR (wins above replacement) was the ’13 season when it was 3.4. In ’11, he amassed a WAR of 4.1, but last season with the Indians it was -0.8 and with the Cardinals it was -0.9, so who knows what type of pitcher Masterson will be next season?

In his final 10 appearances last season (from July 7-Sept. 28), Masterson went 3-4 with a 7.99 ERA in 32.2 innings. In that span, he also allowed 41 hits, 29 earned runs and 16 walks and finished with 24 strikeouts.

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Again, that leaves me to question what type of pitcher will he be next season? Also remember in July, Masterson was on the disabled list with a sore right knee, which also had to affect his pitching performances last season.