3 elite free agent pitchers for the Chicago White Sox to target
Pitching has always been something that the Chicago White Sox has done well with. Even when they weren’t a very good team, there were some good pitchers to make things a bit more exciting. Now, they are a good team and could use all of the arms that they could get their hands on.
Their rotation is for sure going to consist of Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, and Lance Lynn which is an outstanding top three. All three of them were aces at different points of the 2021 season. Add Michael Kopech back to the rotation and the possibilities are endless.
Unfortunately, Kopech might still be on an innings limit at least to start. That means that they could absolutely use more help. Dallas Keuchel and Reynaldo Lopez are both options as starters but have been inconsistent over the last year or so.
The bullpen is hoping to be an area of strength as well. They have Craig Kimbrel but we don’t know if he is going to stick around or be traded away. Liam Hendriks, Kendall Graveman, Garrett Crochet, and Aaron Bummer are all very good and should be a very solid group.
The free-agent market could really help the Chicago White sox pitching staff.
There are plenty of really good options out there for the White Sox to consider as free agent help. There are people that could help them with their starting rotation and with their bullpen. Adding pitching is something that all 30 teams are trying to do so the White Sox should really be smart. These are three very good arms to consider bringing in via free agency:
Carlos Rodon
The Chicago White Sox could really use Carlos Rodon back if they want to compete.
The Chicago White Sox had an outstanding rotation last year with Carlos Rodon in the middle of it. He had to earn his spot back as the fifth starter and he ended up coming in fifth place for the American League Cy Young Award. Every time he was out there, he gave the White Sox a chance to win.
Rodon had a rough start to his career. He was a third overall pick because his stuff is so nasty but he dealt with inconsistencies and injuries which derailed the start of his White Sox tenure. By the time 2020 ended, they let him go but then brought him back. It was a fantastic decision.
Rodon bet on himself and he is going to get rewarded. A lot of teams would like to add this absolute superstar because he can help get a rotation over the edge if they are one away. The White Sox are one of them.
There is one risk to adding Carlos Rodon. 2021 was the first year that he pitched at an elite level for a long time. There is the worry that it was a one-year thing. It’s not like he came out of nowhere though, he was a highly valued prospect that just needed to reach full health to get to that level.
He dealt with arm soreness which might have kept him from winning the Cy Young outright because he missed a fair amount of starts towards the end. That is also something to worry about for any team signing him. Regardless of the risk, the White Sox should do it because they need a guy like that.
Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Kershaw would be a great addition to the Chicago White Sox rotation.
The Chicago White Sox needs some serious help in terms of playoff experience. It would be nice if it came in the form of an elite pitcher like Clayton Kershaw. He isn’t the pitcher that he once was but he is still a very good arm that can help any team in the league win.
Kershaw has been through it all. He has won in the World Series, he has lost in the World Series, he has had postseason heartbreak, and he has had postseason triumphs. Adding a personality like that would go a long way in the Chicago White Sox locker room.
The experience that he brings could really help the young players who are trying to take the next step in the playoffs. Young pitchers like Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, and Michael Kopech amongst others could really learn a lot from a guy like that.
If Kershaw came to the White Sox, he could slide anywhere into the rotation. Any of the first three slots would be the likely landing spot for him as his career has earned him enough respect for that. He could even still be a game one of the playoffs type of starter if he had a very good year. It may be unlikely but it is worth a shot.
Ryan Tepera
The Chicago White Sox bullpen could really use an arm like Ryan Tepera.
Ryan Tepera and Craig Kimbrel both came over to the Chicago White Sox from the Chicago Cubs in two separate trades last season. Tepera was actually way better out of the two of them and they should really consider bringing him back. The bullpen would benefit big from it.
We talked about two starters before here but now the bullpen needs to be discussed. They have some really good arms in there that can lead the way but one or two more would really help. Tepera has proven that he can fit in well with this group.
He also wouldn’t have to move as he has been in Chicago for a couple of years now between the Cubs and White Sox. He had an ERA under 3 and a WHIP under 1 which is very good for a pitcher in the middle of any bullpen.
Tepera would be a perfect bridge between the starters and the late-inning guys on this team. That is how you build a healthy strong bullpen which is needed in order to make it out of the American League and potentially win the World Series.
We don’t know if the White Sox will stand pat or not but it is unlikely. They need to add some more players so that they have the best chance possible of winning the pennant this year. Rosters like this don’t come around often so they need to take advantage.
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