This is the final part of a three part series that talks about an offseason need for the White Sox. In this series, it will be talked about how the Pale Hose will need to fill the need of starting pitching in 2020. For the third part of this series, it will talk about the free agent options and who are the options that fit best. This does not mean they will go this direction, but it is an option. Let's take a look at some players the club will take into consideration if they go the free agent route.
Madison Bumgarner
Bumgarner is a proven winner and was once considered one of the top pitchers in baseball. While he isn't quite the ace he once was, he's still a very good starter. The issue here is the amount of innings he racked up on his arm especially when he was used extensively in the postseason. There's also a serious risk in signing him with his away stats from Oracle Park not being too kind to him. Being a southpaw also helps add to his value. It will be interesting to see what interest the Sox have on him.
Gerrit Cole
The grand prize of this year's crop as Cole is clearly the best available starter on the market. The problem with Cole though is that he will be the most highly sought after pitcher this offseason making it hard on the Sox to lure him to the South Side (and also the fact that he really wants to pitch in Southern California). If the Sox can be the most enticing offer he gets, he instantly makes the rotation better and possibly even the best in the American League. The Sox will undoubtedly go after him, as they should, but whether they can win the sweepstakes is another matter.
Matt Harvey
Harvey was once an up-and-coming star for the New York Mets as he headlined a very stout Mets rotation that lead them to a 2015 World Series appearance. Injuries have taken their toll on him and he's not quite the same pitcher as he once was. That being said, if he was willing to take a short-term contract for a low value, then he could be a low risk, high reward type of signing for their rotation.
Dallas Keuchel
Keuchel made a midseason move to the Atlanta Braves in 2019 and it was beneficial for him and the Braves as they made it to the playoffs. Keuchel had been regarded as a very good pitcher when he was with the Houston Astros and could be a viable option for the Sox. The question will be how much should they be willing to spend for Keuchel if they do decide to go that route. It's a bit tricky, but what type of production they will get from him is not an issue. He is a name to follow closely as he does fit into what the Sox want.
Matt Moore
Moore was once a very promising southpaw pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. While he isn't the same type of pitcher he once was, he's still very effective. Like Harvey, it might be best to sign him for cheap if he is willing to take that type of contract. If he is, it's a low risk, high reward type of deal and he's also a southpaw.
Michael Pineda
Pineda is coming off a season with the Minnesota Twins where he pitched very well until he was suspended for using performance enhancements. While there is always that risk with signing him, there is upside with him. That being said, it's hard to find a spot for him and should be a backup plan. Maybe a minor league contract is worth it in signing him.
Rick Porcello
Porcello is still an effective pitcher in the league, but he's probably best suited as a fourth starter in a contending rotation. When Porcello is on, his stuff is very effective, but even if it isn't, he provides stability. His numbers weren't kind to him in 2019 as he struggled, but if he can even get back to his 2018 form, Porcello would help the Sox greatly.
Tanner Roark
Roark has been a model of consistency every where he has been. Probably one of the more underrated pitchers in baseball, he's an effective pitcher and has been a winner every where he's pitched. Roark is probably no better than a third spot in the rotation, but that consistency would be huge for the Sox, something they lacked in 2019.
Hyun-Jin Ryu
Ryu might not quite be the same pitcher he once was due to injuries (honestly, no one is for sure), but if he was to take a not so expensive contract to be the third or fourth starter in the rotation, then it would be beneficial for both parties. Ryu is another southpaw who is a quality arm with tremendous upside that could make the rotation even better. He's a name that Sox fans should keep an eye on and someone the team should target. Ryu does have a history of injury problems, but he be an innings eater which could come in handy.
Stephen Strasburg
After Cole, Strasburg is the next big name on the free agent starters market as he decided to opt out of his contract with the Washington Nationals. After winning the World Series Most Valuable Player award and showing off what his potential is, he's going to be in the same boat as Cole as he will be high sought after. His stuff is so good that he would make any rotation instantly better. While the Sox will have an easier time trying to sign his services than Cole, there will be a lot of teams targeting him. That being said, the Sox should be aggressive in signing him.
Julio Teheran
Teheran used to be an absolute stud for the Atlanta Braves. For whatever reason, he tapered off and was not offered a contract. While he's still effective, he isn't quite like his old All-Star level self and that hurts his value. Much like Harvey, he could be an excellent signing depending on contract length and money issued as he can be a low risk, high reward type of signing.
Michael Wacha
Wacha is very much in the same boat as Teheran and Harvey as he was once a very effective starter that had tapered off for whatever reason. However, his numbers weren't very good in 2019 as he was moved to the bullpen. He might work out as a long reliever and spot starter for the Sox, but they probably will not pursue him all that hard.
Alex Wood
Wood is a southpaw who has had some injury problems in the past, but when he was healthy, he put up some gaudy numbers including being a Cy Young finalist. He has some excellent stuff that could come in handy as a third or fourth starter in the rotation. Wood is an intriguing option and could be on the Sox radar. He's definitely a name to keep an eye out on.
Most likely to be the starter: Ryu. He would fit in nicely in the rotation and his signing would signify how serious the Sox are for contending in 2020. Missing out on Wheeler hurts, but signing him would still suggest how serious the team is at becoming a contender. Plus, his numbers when caught by Yasmani Grandal are something to salivate at.
Another likely to be signed: Bumgarner. So having another part of this article written is very unusual than what I have written in the past, but the Sox have been rumored to wanting to bring in two starters and one such name as Bumgarner would make the sense. He has a lot of good stuff and he fits in nicely into their rotation. That being said, there is a lot of risk with as his numbers from outside of Oracle Park are less than favorable for him. We will never know whether that's an anomaly or a cause for concern, especially with the Sox playing in a hitter's friendly park.
Names to keep an eye on: Wood and Keuchel. They both fit into the rotation well, so it will be interesting what type of interest they get this offseason.
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