White Sox could help turn veteran pitcher’s career around with a solid 2018 season. The right-handed pitcher could be a free agent this offseason.
The Chicago White Sox will need more depth in their starting rotation for 2018. Although the team has young pitchers in the rotation for next year, they could target a starting pitcher coming off a down year this upcoming offseason.
Tyler Chatwood has pitched the last five seasons with the Colorado Rockies, and could be a free agent this offseason. The 27-year-old is coming off a 2017 season in which he compiled an 8-15 record with a 4.69 ERA through 25 starts for the Rockies.
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The Sox most likely will enter 2018 with a starting rotation consisting of James Shields, Reynaldo Lopez, Lucas Giolito and Carlos Rodon if he’s healthy to start the season. With a team that’s still rebuilding, it would make sense for the Sox to take a chance on a veteran pitcher for next year.
Chatwood didn’t have much success as a starter last season with Colorado, but he was a solid starter for the Rockies in the past. In 2016, Chatwood started 27 games for the Rockies and compiled a 12-9 record with a 3.87 ERA. He also recorded 117 strikeouts that season to go along with a 1.373 WHIP.
With a relatively young starting rotation for the Sox entering 2018, Chatwood could provide another veteran presence in the clubhouse. He could also be a perfect reclamation project for pitching coach Don Cooper. Although the Sox failed to get any trade value from Derek Holland this past season, Chatwood has a much better chance to get flipped at the trading deadline next year.
For his career, Chatwood is 40-46 with a 4.31 ERA. He was drafted in the second round of the 2008 draft by the Los Angeles Angels and made his MLB debut in 2011. Chatwood started 25 games for the Angels in 2011 and went 6-11 with a 4.75 ERA. He was traded to the Rockies after the 2011 season and compiled a 34-35 record with Colorado through five seasons to go along with a 4.18 ERA.
Next: Early Attainable Goals for White Sox 2018 Season
The Sox have shown they can turn a pitcher’s career around in the past. This doesn’t necessarily mean Chatwood is going to become an All-Star if he signs with the Sox this offseason. However, he has a good chance of being a solid starter if he remains healthy. Chatwood could be what the Sox need for next year as they continue their rebuild. Just don’t expect him to be offered a long-term deal from the Sox.