Chicago White Sox: Ryan Tepera changes the entire bullpen

Ryan Tepera got some news today that should be a win-win for both he and the Chicago White Sox.  Tepera won’t have to pack his bags as a result of being traded across town earlier today. He will, however, be going from a Chicago Cubs team out of the playoff picture to a White Sox team dead set on contending for a World Series.

The White Sox acquired the right-handed reliever in exchange for minor league pitcher Bailey Horn. The deal marked the second one of the day for the White Sox who also picked up Cleveland second baseman Cesar Hernandez.

Tepera was a part of a very good back end of the bullpen for the Cubs this season. He, along with former teammates Andrew Chafin (now with the Oakland A’s) and closer Craig Kimbrel was a very formidable trio to face when the Cubs had late-inning leads.

In addition to being a part of a combined no-hitter earlier this year against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tepera was solid when called upon. In 43.1 innings this season, he has recorded a 2.91 ERA, 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings, struck out 50 batters, and has allowed hitters to record a .150 batting average.

The Chicago White Sox are hoping that they got an impact reliever in Ryan Tepera.

Perhaps most importantly, his 16 holds are tied for sixth in the majors. If pitching with Chafin to get to Kimbrel was good for him, how about when he teams with Michael Kopech to get to Liam Hendricks?

Horn was a fifth-round pick of the White Sox in 2020 out of Auburn University. In Class A between Kannapolis and Winston-Salem, he posted a 2-3 record in the 10 games he started, along with a 5.63 ERA  in 14 total appearances this year. To make room on the roster for Tepera, the White Sox place pitcher Evan Marshall on the 60-day injured list. Marshall has been inactive since late June due to a strained right flexor pronator.