The Chicago White Sox had one of the most impressive all-around pitching staffs in the MLB entering Spring Training. They had Lance Lynn leading the starting rotation and impressive bullpen options such as Craig Kimbrel and Garrett Crochet. However, each of those pitchers will not be on the mound for Chicago anytime soon. Kimbrel was traded and Crochet is headed for Tommy John surgery. Lance Lynn is also expected to miss the next 1-2 months with an injury as well, leaving a gaping hole in the starting rotation.
The White Sox bullpen was deep enough to overcome losing Kimbrel and Crochet. But they recently turned to the free agent market to address the rotation, as it was announced that Chicago and RHP Johnny Cueto came to terms on a minor league deal, per Jeff Passan. Passan reports that the deal is worth $4.2 million overall, but will be prorated base on how many days Cueto spends with the big league club.
The addition of Johnny Cueto provides an element of stability. However, the White Sox pitching rotation is still solid without question.
Lucas Giolito is a quality ace option, and young pitchers such as Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech are on All-Star trajectories. But adding a veteran like Cueto is never a bad idea. The best case scenario is that Cueto returns to his prime form and becomes an integral part of the White Sox pitching staff. And the worst case scenario is that he does not pan out and he spends more time in the minors or Chicago releases/trades him once Lynn returns.
It is a low-risk, high reward scenario for the White Sox.
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