Chicago White Sox: 3 L.A. Dodgers pitchers to consider
The Chicago White Sox had some outstanding pitchers step up big for them in 2021. The rotation was loaded and the bullpen had extreme talent. You would like to see the bullpen be even better but nobody should think they were anything other than really good in 2021. They were so good that they helped the White Sox win their division by 13 games.
However, there is always room for improvement. There are a lot of really good free agent pitchers out there that are going to make an impact with new teams next season. The White Sox should really be in on those guys. There are quite a few of them that would help this team out in a lot of ways.
Each team always has players set to hit the market. The White Sox are dealing with that right now as Carlos Rodon begins his search for a new home. A team that they could look for a new starter is the Los Angeles Dodgers. They have a bunch of free agents set to hit the market that the White Sox could look to.
Los Angeles was amazing in 2021. They made a deep run in the postseason as well but fell just short of winning the National League pennant. Now, they are trying to pick up the pieces for another run in 2022 but some players aren’t going to return.
There are a few Los Angeles Dodgers pitchers that the Chicago White Sox could use.
With pitching in mind, the White Sox could take full advantage of this as they look to go on a run themselves. There are some really good pitchers out there but if they go the route of the Dodgers, these are the three to look at:
player. 71. . SP . Los Angeles Dodgers. Max Scherzer. 31
Max Scherzer would be an amazing fit for the Chicago White Sox in 2022.
If the Chicago White Sox are serious about winning the World Series in 2022, they should consider adding someone to the top of their rotation. They already have a few players that you could consider an ace on their staff right now but they all are good candidates to be a game one starter. None of them stick out as that guy who is just automatically in that role over the others.
If they added someone like Max Scherzer, there would be no question who has that role. Scherzer takes the ball twice in any given series and he does well through six innings or more in any particular game. He can go a few on short rest or start a full game whenever you need him. Over the last decade or so, he has been one of the best to ever do it.
A move like this would tell the world that the White Sox are serious about winning. In 2021, Scherzer was a finalist for the Cy Young award and came in third place. He split the year between the Washington Nationals and Los Angeles Dodgers and dominated with both of them. If he could bring that level of play to the south side of Chicago, their staff would be even better than projected.
22. player. 71. . SP . Los Angeles Dodgers. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw pitching for the Chicago White Sox would be so interesting.
Speaking of Hall of Fame pitchers that are free agents from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Clayton Kershaw is available to be signed by whoever wants him. He is going to have many suitors looking at him and what he could bring to their team. Kershaw might be the only pitcher that has been better than Scherzer during the duration of their careers in the big leagues.
With that in mind, Kershaw hasn’t aged as well as Scherzer. In the year 2021, Scherzer was much better than Kershaw and probably will be in 2022. However, that Hall of Fame experience that Kershaw can provide would be a big help to this young White Sox pitching staff. The things he could help Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, and Michael Kopech with could go a long way.
In 2021, he dealt with an injury at the end. Before that, he had a pretty good year. While posting a 10-8 record, he had an ERA of 3.55 and a WHIP of 1.019. In 121.2 innings he had 144 strikeouts. Clearly, he still has a lot to give in terms of MLB pitching. If he is healthy and ready to go for 2022, the Chicago White Sox should be in on him.
Los Angeles Dodgers. Joe Kelly. 17. player. 71. . RP
The Chicago White Sox could use some bullpen help going into the 2022 season.
We don’t know what is going to happen with Craig Kimbrel and Michael Kopech is set to become a starter in 2022. That leaves some big-time holes to fill in the bullpen. Garrett Crochet and Reynaldo Lopez are starters by trade but could spend 2022 in the pen again after doing a great job in 2201. Dallas Keuchel may also find his way in there as well at some point.
Regardless, they need some help in that department. The Los Angeles Dodgers have a player that would fit that role very well. Joe Kelly is someone that has pitched in the highest of leverage situations you can possibly imagine and done a good job. He won the World Series with the Boston Red Sox in 2018 and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2020.
Bringing that kind of experience to the White Sox would go a long way. He is someone who has been through it all which would really help some of the young pitchers on the team. He also has a bit of an attitude and that would fit in well on this club.
He is also just simply a good pitcher. He appeared in 44.0 innings for the Dodgers in 2021 where he posted a 2.86 ERA and a 0.977 WHIP. He had 50 strikeouts to only 15 walks as well so you know his command was awesome. If his injury isn’t going to linger, the Sox should take a serious look at this guy. All of the free-agent pitchers from the Dodgers have something that they can give to help the Sox take a step.
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