Chicago White Sox: Which pitchers should they keep?

Jun 18, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija (29) throws against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first inning at U.S Cellular Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Going into 2015, many around baseball expected the Chicago White Sox to compete. As we all know, that isn’t going to happen this year.

After 66 games this season, the White Sox are 28-38 overall following Friday’s 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers at U.S. Cellular Field.

Here is a look at some pitchers for the White Sox and what I believe they should do with them.

Starting pitchers:

Definitely stay: Chris Sale and Carlos Rodon

There is no doubt the Sale is one of the best pitchers in the majors. To top it off, Sale is on a very reasonable contract as well. Rodon was the Sox first-round pick (No. 3 overall) in 2014 and has already shown flashes that he could become an ace himself.

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Those two could easily become one of the best 1-2 punches in the game, and from the left side at that.

Possibly move: Jose Quintana

Quintana is on a reasonable deal; however, he is not at the same level talent-wise as Sale and Rodon. Considering the bad luck he gets while on the mound (runs scored for him and poor defense behind him), his performances do not look anywhere close to the quality that they actually are.

Quintana could be moved if the Sox could get a good return, but they should not move him just to move him. The deal should be right, not deals just to make deals.

Definitely move: Jeff Samardzija and John Danks

Samardzija is on the last year of his deal, therefore it is unlikely that he will be around past July 31. He would be a two-month rental, which would diminish his potential return. Another issue that would hurt the return is the fact that he hasn’t been as good as in past years.

The Sox should still be able to get a solid haul in return for Samardzija, just nowhere near what the Cubs got for him last year. Danks would be tricky, due to the fact that he is damaged goods and his contract is huge. It would be unlikely that the Sox could move him without eating a good part of his contract.

Jun 7, 2015; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Zach Duke (33) throws to first base during the eighth inning against the Detroit Tigers at U.S Cellular Field. Detroit won 6-4. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-USA TODAY Sports

Bullpen:

Definitely keep:

David Robertson, Zach Duke

Both of these pitchers were signed to multi-year deals in the offseason, and it doesn’t make sense to deal them right after they are signed.

Not to mention it would be hard to attract free agents in the future if they were to get traded in the same season they are signed. To top that off, they are having good seasons. I understand relievers can be up and down over their careers, but it would be wise to keep them.

Possibly keep:

Jake Petricka, Zach Putnam, Nate Jones

All of these pitchers have proven to be at least solid out of the bullpen. Petricka is a potential seventh inning man, and Putnam is another good arm that keeps the ball on the ground.

Both Putnam and Petricka are under team control for a while, therefore there is no rush to make any moves. Jones is hard to make a judgement on right now, due to the fact that he hasn’t pitched in over a year.

Triple-A ball/release

Dan Jennings, Matt Albers, Scott Carroll, Junior Guerra, Daniel Webb

Outside of Jennings and Webb, I don’t think any of these pitchers has a real future with the Sox. I would probably keep them around, mostly in Triple-A.

Carroll could be kept around as a potential spot starter, but I don’t think he will have a long career in the majors. Guerra has some talent and might end up back in triple-A or being released.

Next: Potential Trade Bait for the White Sox

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