This is the second 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 second part of this series, it will talk about the stop gap 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 stop gap route.
Michael Kopech
It's unfair to call Kopech a stop gap option based on the type of talent he is, but considering he is coming off Tommy John surgery, he is exactly that at the moment. No one knows how much the injury will affect him, but if he's back to his normal self then he should light it up. It will be interesting how he performs in the spring, but if he does well and lives up to the hype, then the Sox have a great pitcher out of five spot.
Carson Fulmer
Fulmer was a first round draft pick in 2015 and just has not lived up to the hype. While he does have good stuff, he has never managed to stay consistent and might be best coming out of the bullpen. That being said, his arm has the ability to pitch long. If he does well this spring, then it should be seriously considered that he should be looked at for a rotation spot. However, it's unlikely.
Dylan Covey
Covey is in the same talk as Fulmer though Fulmer has more upside. Covey has never been able to put up consistent numbers despite having good stuff and even outdueled Chris Sale. Covey is best suited as a long reliever in a bullpen making some spot starts and is very unlikely to win a spot in the rotation out of spring.
Ivan Nova
Nova is technically a free agent and while he didn't blow away teams last year, he pitched admirably for the Sox. That being said, it might be worth bringing back Nova on a one-year deal as he was 11-12 with a 4.72 ERA in 2019, but the advanced statistics suggests he could be valuable as a fifth starter as he had a 2.1 WAR. While unlikely to return, it wouldn't be a bad idea to bring him back for the fifth starter's spot.
Most likely to start: Kopech. With that type of talent, it's hard for any of the others listed here to win over Kopech. Plus, the potential upside from Kopech if he was the fifth starter would be tremendous even though he has ace like stuff.
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