The Chicago White Sox made a major signing for their starting rotation on Sunday. After a few days of speculation, they have signed Mike Clevinger to a contract. This is something that is going to be big for the White Sox as they look to bounce back in 2023.
He is going to take the place of Johnny Cueto who is likely going to be going to another team this offseason after having a great year. Clevinger is going to join Dylan Cease, Michael Kopech, Lucas Giolito, and Lance Lynn in the rotation.
If everyone in the rotation gets back to pitching the way that we know that they can, they are going to bounce back. There are a few players that need to just keep doing what they are doing but there are others that need to have bounce back years.
Clevinger missed all of 2021 because of Tommy John that he had in 2020. He spent the first portion of his career in Cleveland before being traded to the Padres in 2020. You might remember that the White Sox were big on him but they ended up going with what they had into the playoffs.
Source: Free-agent pitcher Mike Clevinger and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a contract, pending physical. First: @Ken_Rosenthal.
— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) November 27, 2022
The Chicago White Sox will enjoy having Mike Clevinger on their team.
He had a down year in 2022 in his return from Tommy John surgery but he wasn't terrible. He needs to be better but the White Sox might be able to help him with that. Ethan Katz should be able to help him get in the lab and fix whatever it is that needs fixing in order to be elite again.
Dylan Cease will be the Opening Day starter but don't be surprised if Clevinger is highly thought of in the organization upon his arrival. Despite his down year, it isn't like Giolito or Lynn were much better for most of the year. This has a chance to be a great addition to the group.
Celvinger has also been in the division before. He knows what he will be facing upon his return to the AL Central. He has also made some deep runs in the postseason which means he has a lot of playoff experience.
He also hasn't won the World Series yet so that means that he is still just as hungry to win one despite all of the deep runs. This is a great signing for the White Sox.