The Chicago White Sox haven’t signed a starting pitcher yet and the big names have already been snagged up. The team needs to make a move now.
The Chicago White Sox have lost out on a few top tier pitchers. The team has been very active in the pitching market and decided to trade for some outfield insurance with the acquisition of Nomar Mazara. The chase to sign a starting pitcher has been very tight for the white Sox. The Chicago White Sox need to act in the offseason and focus on a few of the names left.
The biggest signings so far have been Gerrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. It was no surprise the White Sox missed out on them because of the price that comes along with their abilities and not every ballclub is the New York Yankees. There are contracts that are just too big and that’s not the reason why the Chicago White Sox can’t still sign a good starting pitcher. The problem is that the group of less expensive but talented pitchers is dwindling.
Zack Wheeler is a guy the Chicago White Sox had their eye on but lost to another team. Recently, Madison Bumgarner signed with Arizona Diamondbacks for a five-year $85 million contract out of nowhere, which proves that any pitcher can get snatched up at any time. Another example, per Mark Feinsand of MLB.com, is that Wade Miley is now on the Cincinnati Reds. Despite his pitching woes in the second half of last season, the left-handed pitcher agreed on a two-year $15 million deal with a club option in 2022.
Even though pitcher signings are breaking every other day, there is still a chance the Chicago White Sox can add a strong starting pitcher. Hyun-Jin Ryu has got to be the main focus of the White Sox since the Los Angeles Dodgers put him on ice. That would be the smartest play for a team desperate for a starter. Ryu is the most precise and efficient pitcher left in free agency. He had an ERA of 2.32 last season while striking out 163 batters.
The second starting pitcher option in free agency should be Dallas Keuchel. Last year, he tested free agency until beyond the start of the season and found himself on a new team but ended with familiar results. He had an ERA of 3.74 which was similar to his 2018 season with the Houston Astros. Keuchel did not have an all-star outing in the 16 games he played last season, but he still has the potential to be effective in a starting rotation.
In comparison, his postseason performance was the most disappointing. His postseason ERA was 4.50 and Ryu earned a win with an ERA of 3.60. Unfortunately, the free-agent pool is getting thin for the Chicago White Sox and moves have got to be made so the starting pitching rotation can improve and be competitive. There is not a better time for the White Sox to have a sense of urgency than now.