The White Sox have requested waivers on right-hander Kelvin Herrera for his unconditional release, as first reported by James Fegan of The Athletic. Herrera was playing out the final year of a two-year, $18MM contract signed with the Sox prior to last season. Herrera was designated for assignment on Friday.
Herrera’s White Sox tenure will come to an unceremonious end after one-plus year in Chicago, a period during which he hardly resembled the late-inning menace that helped the Royals to a World Series title. His velocity has been in a steady decline since 2015, with his four-seamer measuring in at 94.5 mph this year, a far cry from the 98.8 mph he averaged five years ago (to be fair, he’s thrown just seven four-seamers this season; perhaps last year’s 96.3 mph velocity is closer to the “truth”).
In 57 games with the White Sox last year, he notched a disappointing 6.14 ERA while striking out 53 batters in 51 1/3 innings. Walks have been an issue since signing with Chicago, as he’s averaged an even 4.0 BB/9, up considerably from the 2.8 BB/9 he surrendered during his Royals tenure.
Speculatively, Herrera may have a future in Miami with the Marlins, whose need for depth pitching is undeniable given the state of the roster. They figure to be a potential landing spot for just about any hurler that becomes available. And for what it’s worth, Herrera would seem to fit in with the theme of the Marlins’ offseason: low-cost veterans such as Jesus Aguilar, Jonathan Villar, and Corey Dickerson were prioritized last winter and have helped the Marlins to a 2-1 start to the year (firmly in playoff position!).
he should get a MiLB deal
This could be a Dodgers/Yankees turn around play
@hunthutch- I wouldn’t mind him replacing Tommy Kahnle, who is out for the year after finding out he has to have TJS. The Dodgers are definitely an option also though. Excellent call!
Royals better sign him to a minor league contract
Angels
This has Theo Epstein written all over it
why would the cubs want the inferior Chicago teams scraps?
Because their bullpen is bad. Lol
I don’t know. White Sox have way better players but they for the most part are young. Even anything, cubs players are either aging, over rated, or the just suck… with a few good veterans on top. They have a joke for a manager and bench coach
Right now the fabulous White Sox own the 13th best team ERA in the AL.
Now go look at the Cubs bullpen with that 9+ ERA and FIP.
@bronyaur
LOL, basing that off 8 games. Great sample size.
What did you base your White Sox statistics on, brainiac?
Why would the first place Cubs want the trash of the fourth place White Sox?
Because Theo and his league.
The White Sox are so trash and overhype that you gotta focus on the Cubs what a sad life.
@bronyaur
“Why would the first place Cubs want the trash of the fourth place White Sox?”
They wanted Q, and gave Eloy and Cease for him. Just saying.
If you don’t like this trade brought up, then phrase your posts a little more carefully.
Thanks Cubs!
And if memory serves me correctly, the Cubs just recently signed Ryan LaMarre. So apparently they do want the trash of the fourth place Sox…oops, I’m sorry, second place White Sox.
That’s 2nd place Sox!
See I told you
Astros.
Red Sox
I’ll be the first to admit, I wanted this guy bad last off-season and I was way wrong! In my defense, our bullpen was brutal… so not sure how much worse he would have made it. But I would have pulled the trigger on this expensive deal and would have been dead wrong. Good for AA for avoiding… it’s as if he’s the professional paid to do the job of a GM.. go figure :/
I was calling for the same thing for the Cardinals. He was so good prior to that deal it seemed like the Sox made a good move.
An actual dolphin would be a bullpen upgrade for the Angels
a literal…LITERAL dumpster fire would be an upgrade
Kelvin’s foot injury in Washington never fully healed and pitching through it he jacked up his mechanics overcompensating which led to a back issue. I’ve been wondering for awhile if he’s due for a trip to see Dr James Andrews as well.
Love the dude and hope he lands somewhere. Would not at all be upset to see KC bring him in on a minor league deal.
Seems not too long ago he was leadoff reliever of KC “HDH” trio.
Another name to add to Rick Hahn’s free agent scrap heap.
Hahn launched him because Hahn built such a DEEP pen and he isn’t needed, MinVelo.
Sorry, but it was money wasted. They could have used it on a better reliever, a starter, or an outfielder.
A miss is a miss, and Hahn has nothing but misses when it comes to pro free agents.
@maximuvelocity
I was thinking about that. Not counting the Int’l signings (Abreu, Robert), probably Hahn’s best F/A signing was McCann, and really he lucked out on that one. I can’t think off the top of my head another pro F/A signing that could even loosely be described as successful for Hahn. Hopefully Grandal and even Keuchel can change that.
Edit: I forgot about Marshall, but really reaching for a success story, and he was a MiLB signing that panned out.
I cannot imagine why Boston would not at least be interested, as the most and uninspired pitching staff I’ve ever seen in Boston continues to flounder
Welcome to Miami.
He was solid early last year, got injured and was never the same. Over 6 ERA in ‘19 and ugly start this year. The Sox are not strong with RP’s but have some dudes who should do way better than that. I am sure someone will pick him up—maybe change of scenery will do him good
Lol @ everyone wanting this trash pitcher on their team. If that 6+ era looks appealing, have fun with that! He was completely worthless for the Sox.
@bronyaur not a very bright manchild I see…
@Paulie0514
Amen to that!
He struggles to find the zone when he needs to, hangs a ton of meaty pitches over the plate, and in his entire tenure with the White Sox seemed to be badly snake-bitten because he would give up runs in bunches more often than not.
This is not Royals’ Kelvin Herrera.