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White Sox: Three biggest missed opportunities

By Joshua Finkelstein

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets follows through with a pitch in the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 26, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 26: Zack Wheeler #45 of the New York Mets follows through with a pitch in the first inning of their game against the Miami Marlins at Citi Field on September 26, 2019 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough in New York City. (Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images) /
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HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images)
HOUSTON, TEXAS – OCTOBER 29: Stephen Strasburg #37 of the Washington Nationals delivers the pitch against the Houston Astros during the ninth inning in Game Six of the 2019 World Series at Minute Maid Park on October 29, 2019 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Bob Levey/Getty Images) /

2. Stephen Strasburg

The White Sox actually might’ve pivoted to this right-hander after Wheeler signed with the Phillies as Jon Morosi of MLB.com reported that they were a “dark horse” to sign Strasburg.

Whether or not they actually did make an offer for him is unknown, but it certainly was a missed opportunity.

In fact, it could be argued that it was a bigger one than Wheeler as Strasburg is an established ace coming off a year in which he won World Series MVP for the Nationals.

The 31-year-old registered a 3.32 ERA, 3.25 FIP, 10.81 K/9, and 2.41 BB/9 in 2019. He also had a 5.7 fWAR, which was the second-highest mark of his career and his 209 innings of work were the highest he had thrown since 2014 (215 innings).

Strasburg’s age coupled with the seven-year, $245 million contract it took the Nationals to keep him might have made the White Sox balk at signing him.

Had the White Sox signed him, though, the team would have had instant credibility with a one-two punch at the top of the rotation that would’ve been second to none.

Their reluctance to sign Strasburg is very understandable, but it would have put made a statement to the American League if they got him.

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