There are three pitchers locked into a starting role for the Chicago White Sox. You can bet every penny that (if healthy) Lucas Gioltio, Lance Lynn, and Dylan Cease will be starting games for the White Sox in 2022. You can also be pretty sure that Michael Kopech will be a fourth pitcher in the rotation.
In 2021, Carlos Rodon was one of the best pitchers in Major League Baseball. If he didn’t miss some starts late in the season because of some arm soreness, he would have really had a chance at the American League Cy Young.
Robbie Ray, Gerrit Cole, and Lance Lynn were all amazing but Rodon was very deserving of it but missed too many innings. Now, it is pretty obvious that Rodon is on the free-agent market ready to sign a very lucrative deal. If he chooses not to resign with the White Sox, which is likely, they will need to look for a new starting pitcher.
Due to uncertainties with Dallas Keuchel and Reynaldo Lopez, the White Sox should go out and try to get another one. They could make a trade or sign a different free agent but they need to make an attempt. There are some other young pitchers in the organization (like Garrett Crochet) that hope to be starters one day but now is not the time.
The Chicago White Sox needs another starting pitcher to be added before 2022.
If they need to use Dallas Keuchel and Reynaldo Lopez in the bullpen, another starter would really help. Options out there include Clayton Kershaw, Michael Pineda, and Danny Duffy amongst others. All of those guys would improve the White Sox chances of winning every fifth game while the other four do their thing on their days.
Having Keuchel and Lopez as backup plans is nice but it would be ideal to make upgrades. This team is good enough to win the World Series and taking a big step in 2022 is very important. Hopefully, a new starting pitcher is added in hopes of doing that. Pitching was a strength in 2021 and you can expect more of the same for them in 2022. If the offense clicks like we know it can, watch out.