Chicago White Sox: Brad Hand wouldn’t be a bad pick up
Brad Hand is the latest closer to be in the Chicago White Sox rumor mill.
The Chicago White Sox are involved in a few different rumors involving closers. It makes sense because they desperately need one if Alex Colome does in fact leave in free agency. Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported that the White Sox are now in on Brad Hand. This sort of came out of nowhere but it would be really cool to see him come in if they don’t land one of their other targets.
Brad Hand might not be as good as Liam Hendricks who is also in rumors to come to Chicago but he would be a good plan-b if Hendriks decided to go to another team. It doesn’t really matter at this point as long as the White Sox sign one of the premium closers on the market right now. It is probably the most glaring need on the team right now but if they figure it out, it will be one of the best bullpens in all of baseball.
He was mostly a starter in his time with the Miami/Florida Marlins before the San Diego Padres turned him into a closer. He spent three seasons there before spending the most recent three with the Cleveland Indians. He has been an all-star because of how good he is. He didn’t come up with Cleveland but you know they always had a positive long-term impact on their pitchers. Brad Hand is no exception.
In the short 2020 season, Brad Hand had 16 saves, an ERA of 2.05, and a WHIP of 0.773. Those are some awesome numbers as he rounded out one of the best pitching staffs in all of baseball. He also has a newfound level of familiarity with the American League Central so that could be a good reason to bring him in. The White Sox would know how good he is as well as any opponent in the league. Those 16 saves in 2020 led Major League Baseball.
White Sox are among teams in on Brad Hand. They seek a top closer and as reported previously are in on Liam Hendriks as well. @JeffPassan @ByRobertMurray mentioned a Hendriks
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 6, 2021
White Sox’s interest in Hand makes sense as they’ve seen him up close in recent years. Hand had a 2.05 ERA, 1.37 FIP, .77 WHIP and league-leading 16 saves in last year’s shortened season.
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) January 6, 2021
Hot. Lucas Giolito's comments are so exciting. light
It would be nice to see them land Hendricks but Brad Hand certainly isn’t a bad option. Going into his ag-31 season with some of the numbers he is capable of putting up, it makes perfect sense to have him round out what promises to be a great bullpen. Pitching behind guys like Aaron Bummer, Evan Marshall, and Matt Foster amongst others would be great for a pitcher like Brad Hand. There is no doubt that he would come into the ninth with a lead a good amount of the time.