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White Sox Showing Strong Interest In Mike Clevinger

By Tim Dierkes | November 26, 2022 at 12:43am CDT

The White Sox are showing strong interest in free agent starter Mike Clevinger, according to Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic.

Clevinger, who turns 32 in less than a month, is two years removed from Tommy John surgery.  He returned from the procedure this year to post a 4.33 ERA, 18.8 K%, 7.2 BB%, and 35.2% groundball rate in 114 1/3 regular season innings for the Padres.  He also started a pair of playoff games, allowing seven earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.

The White Sox currently have a solid starting four lined up for their 2023 rotation in Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito, and Michael Kopech, though Kopech is recovering from a pair of injuries.  Clevinger could potentially fill the shoes of Johnny Cueto, himself a free agent.  Cueto proved invaluable after signing a minor league deal with the Sox, posting a 3.35 ERA in 158 1/3 frames.

Though Clevinger’s post-Tommy John work was uninspiring, some teams may hope further distance from the surgery and/or tweaks to his repertoire can recover some of his previous form.  From 2017-20, mostly pitching for Cleveland, Clevinger put up a 2.96 ERA over 489 1/3 innings, including an excellent 19 K-BB%.  He was quite possibly one of the 20 best pitchers in baseball during that time.

The Padres acquired Clevinger from the Indians in a nine-player trade at the 2020 trade deadline.  It’s worth noting that the White Sox were also in the mix for the pitcher they knew so well from the AL Central, though Rosenthal heard from one team official who felt they were used as a “stalking horse.”  Clevinger made four starts as a new Padre, but was then scratched for what was at the time called biceps tightness and later revised to an elbow sprain.  The Padres brought him back for Game 1 of the NLDS that year, but he was pulled from the start and was on the operating table the following month.

At the time of the surgery announcement, the Padres also bought out Clevinger’s final two arbitration years for a total of $11.5MM, effectively paying him that amount for what he could contribute in ’22.  Though Clevinger remarked in March, “I feel healthier than I have in my entire career,” he sprained his knee shortly thereafter, leading to a May 4th season debut.  He hit the IL again after three starts due to a triceps strain.

Over his first ten games, Clevinger was able to miss bats at an above average 24.7% clip.  Over his last 11 starts, however, Clevinger punched out only 13.5%.  Clevinger lost a bit off his fastball as the season wore on, occasionally working at 95+ in some of his earlier starts versus a few sub-93 games in the dog days of summer.  Denied communication with the Padres during the lockout as well as a typical spring training, perhaps changing those variables will lead to better results for Clevinger in 2023.

With a cast of unproven hurlers vying for the fifth starting spot and Kopech recovering from knee surgery, White Sox pitching coach Ethan Katz recently commented, “Obviously, we need another starter,” as reported by James Fegan of The Athletic.  But as Fegan noted from the GM Meetings earlier this month, “If there’s one thing the White Sox are not touting about themselves this offseason, it’s their payroll flexibility.”  For an overall view of the challenges faced by GM Rick Hahn, check out my Offseason Outlook here.

MLBTR ranked Clevinger 49th on our top 50 free agents list, predicting a one-year, $10MM deal.  While we do find a two-year pact plausible for Clevinger, it’s possible he’d prefer to sign a one-year contract to rebuild value in ’23 – though he would be subject to a qualifying offer if he succeeds.  A handful of starting pitchers have come off the board at this early point in the offseason, Martin Perez, Tyler Anderson, and Nick Martinez chief among them.

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Chicago White Sox Mike Clevinger

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141 Comments

  1. MLB Top 100 Commenter

    3 years ago

    This will not end well.

    13
    Reply
    • ronnyalton

      3 years ago

      Agreed, I’ve been wrong before though.

      Reply
      • #1WhiteSoxFan

        3 years ago

        Sox trade Matt Foster to Washington!
        Where is the story?
        Sox get back a couple of prospects.

        Reply
        • FoxSox

          3 years ago

          Source?

          Reply
        • Aaron Sapoznik

          3 years ago

          Checked Twitter for any breaking White Sox news from Northbrook Bob. All he’s tweeted thus far today are his takes on the Bears game. No trade is official until he breaks it. lol

          Reply
    • Deadguy

      3 years ago

      What is the obsession with Chicago team owners and making bad trades/bad free agent signings?

      11
      Reply
      • bronyaur1

        3 years ago

        Dumpster divin’ Ricky!

        4
        Reply
    • Yankee Clipper

      3 years ago

      Yeah, of all the pitchers available right now to have an interest in….. like, straight to the middle?

      2
      Reply
      • stymeedone

        3 years ago

        Yankee fans have a hard time understanding other teams have budgets. White Sox have already maxed theirs, which is why they will let Abreu walk. Unlike Cueto, Clevinger won’t be accepting a minor league with an invite. He may be too expensive for the south siders.

        1
        Reply
        • Yankee Clipper

          3 years ago

          No, trust me, brother, budget is our motto now. Used to be “win championships” but now it’s “win the luxury tax savings”

          My point is: Chicago is a big market. The CHW have an owner that can afford to acquire nearly anyone in the market. Their projected ‘23 payroll is $173M. He doesn’t have to go for an injured Clev as his go-to with all the available pitching. Just struck me as odd that that’s the name a bigger market team is associated with instead of their own Rodon, or someone that came back a bit stronger from surgery. Perhaps I should’ve written injured mid-tier. What about Cueto?

          10
          Reply
        • JoeBrady

          3 years ago

          budget is our motto now

          =====================

          Yup, as much as I like to bust chops, I can’t do it any more. As Mets fans like to say, “There is a new George in town, and his name ain’t Hal”.

          3
          Reply
        • Augusto Barojas

          3 years ago

          I’d rather have Cueto, and he would probably be cheaper. And you are right – Reinsdorf could afford any player in the market if he wanted, including Judge. Instead he chose to do nothing the past two offseasons during the peak years of their “rebuild”, letting Grandal remain the best and most expensive free agent they signed. And they will win nothing as long as he owns them.

          3
          Reply
        • Augusto Barojas

          3 years ago

          Clevinger would probably cost too much for the Sox. I’ll believe any Sox rumors only when they have actually inked a deal. He would not be a bad gamble otherwise. But then again, this team is so far from where they need to be that it hardly matters unless Jerry gets drunk and decides to sign one of the top SS’s or Judge, to make up for the sorrowful way he has run this team for 4 decades.

          Reply
        • axisofhonor25

          3 years ago

          Because the problem with going with Rodon is that the White Sox have to make a deal with Boras, who they normally don’t like dealing. With their inflexibility with the budget and Boras’ tendency to getting maximum value for his clients, the White Sox won’t be be calling. It’s the reason they let him walk the first time around. As for Cueto, he’s at the back end of his career and will probably looking for a higher paying contract given his strong performance last season. Ricky is dumpster diving hoping to get Clevinger on the cheap and also hoping he rebounds like Cueto did last year.

          Reply
        • pt57

          3 years ago

          May be?

          Reply
        • pt57

          3 years ago

          …and GET OFF MY LAWN!!!

          Reply
        • Dock_Elvis

          3 years ago

          I don’t consider the White Sox a large market team. They don’t share the local, and especially national scope the Cubs do.

          Reply
        • #1WhiteSoxFan

          3 years ago

          Per Sox beat writers…
          They supposedly have inked a deal.

          Needs only to pass medical tests. Likely 1 year $10-$12Mil. Maybe an additional option year.

          Reply
      • #1WhiteSoxFan

        3 years ago

        “Red herring!”

        Diversion tactic!

        Sox to sign AJ! And I’m not talking Pierzynski!

        1
        Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          Right now, I think Pierzynski sounds a lot better than what they have behind the plate. Typical Sox move, going for a broken down pitcher whose stats are clearly on the decline instead of spending the money on Cueto, who bailed the team out on several occasions. He ate up innings and would have had a better record if the Sox knew how to hit.

          5
          Reply
        • Dogbone

          3 years ago

          I thought the priority for the CWS this offseason, was to finalize their offers to Barry Bonds and maybe sweeten their offer to Machado?

          1
          Reply
        • nrd1138

          3 years ago

          Yeah but it sounds like Cueto is one of those ‘good year followed by a bad year’ type of pitchers, in which case when will the other shoe drop for him?

          1
          Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          It already has for clevinger.

          Reply
  2. Ignorant Son-of-a-b

    3 years ago

    Clevinger was traded at the “2020 trade deadline.” LOL. When was that exactly? Right at the midpoint between Month 1 and Month 2, I don’t recall. SMH 2020 “season” was a bad joke that’s definitely been told too many times.

    6
    Reply
    • johnrealtime

      3 years ago

      Seek a hug

      10
      Reply
    • Cora the Destroya

      3 years ago

      Tell that to the Dodgers.

      2
      Reply
      • Oldman58

        3 years ago

        2020 was too short of a season for even Dave Roberts to screw up

        Reply
  3. ponytail01

    3 years ago

    They need a lefthanded starter. Why would they waste money on Clevinger when they already have Davis Martin? JR needs to either sell or start acting like a big market team. They probably won’t finish higher than third place next year.

    5
    Reply
    • bbcalmc

      3 years ago

      Katz says they need another starter, Not sure what that does to Davis Martins confidence when your pitching coach doesn’t have any in him.. They need a left hand hitting outfielder that can catch the ball and throw it to the right base, that would help their pitching a bunch. Benintendi might fit the bill there and Grifol would know more about him.??? White sox front office is a joke as is the owner.

      3
      Reply
      • #1WhiteSoxFan

        3 years ago

        Giolito will be traded either soon or by trade deadline mid season.
        Kopech won’t pitch 200 innings in 2023.
        Martin is already in the mix and will get his chance to shine.
        Not many starters already at Charlotte.
        Sox just need 1-2 more starters.

        2
        Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          artin is unproven to carry the no. five spot, but I’d rather have him than clevinger. the Guards and Twins must be laughing their asses off at this stupid possibility.

          Reply
        • Oldman58

          3 years ago

          Giolito’s velocity was down last season and the look in his eyes was total confusion. You’re right Kooech won’t be pitch 200 innings and Martin is the internal option. From being the 2022 division favorite these Sox now have a lot of holes

          Reply
        • Dogbone

          3 years ago

          I agree #1Fan, Giolito will be traded as soon as they sign another SP. He doesn’t give me the impression that he is interested in resigning with the CWS. And his value currently may be the highest it will ever be. He likely wants to sign with a west coast team.

          1
          Reply
    • iverbure

      3 years ago

      Why do they need to act like a big market team? If the Indians can win the division with how they operate why can’t the white sox win the division and out spend them by 10,20, 30 million? If they need to out spend them by 100 million it probably has less to do with the owner and more to do with management?

      2
      Reply
      • ponytail01

        3 years ago

        Cleveland and Tampa are two of the best run organizations. I didn’t say anything about $100 million. I would be very content with them trying to sign Benintendi and then trading for a lefthanded starter. Everyone knew last year the holes on the team. Did they fill them? Everyone this year knows what they need and it’s not bottom feeding for a right handed starter. And it’s all about the owner. He controls management and sometimes even the field manager. I said big market because they told us that they almost signed Machado and Harper. BS. The owner reportedly said he only wants to spend enough to keep the fans buying tickets. His motivation is profit, not winning. They are interested in signing Clevinger who is recovering from injury but wouldn’t sign Rodon who was also recovering. Now Rodon is asking for $35 million a year and has several suitors. Mistake after mistake after mistake. JR needs to sell because their are too many owners willing to spend. Those are the teams that are in the playoffs almost every year. There are reports that players don’t even want to play for the Sox anymore because of their culture. It’s time for JR to move on.

        2
        Reply
        • Gator50

          3 years ago

          JR is always the smartest owner in the room, and he ain’t leaving. I think the only reason Rick Hahn still has a job is because none of the bad decisions they make are 100% his.

          Reply
        • Oldman58

          3 years ago

          JR will be 87 years old in February. The odds are he’ll be leaving soon

          Reply
        • nrd1138

          3 years ago

          Do the Sox make bad decisions? Absolutely, but not with Rodon, he will break down, its only a matter of when. The guy seems to have spent nearly half of his career with the Sox broken down. He pitched fairly well in a contract year. Watch, Rodon will get his juicy contract and then promptly get hurt at least once per year of that new deal.

          1
          Reply
        • atlas bunts

          3 years ago

          Rodon was a clubhouse cancer, like Giolito-
          Package Giolito & Yaz, should het a solid return

          Reply
        • LosPobres1904

          3 years ago

          Hopefully they where watching the NLCS

          Reply
      • bwmiller

        3 years ago

        the Sox biggest issue is how stacked Cleveland is, could spend it all and still lose, id say they have to roll with what they got, I think if they stay healthy they can win the Central, need Johnny Cueto back though.

        Reply
        • ponytail01

          3 years ago

          How can two outfielders, a second baseman and a lefthanded starter stay healthy when they’re not even on the team yet?

          Reply
        • nrd1138

          3 years ago

          Well Cleveland is stacked… with pitchers that have the Sox lunch. I think most hitters in the lineup, save Ramirez, had good seasons, but lets see if they can repeat that. I think more importantly, the Sox also need a hitting coach that can help them figure out the Cleveland starters.

          Reply
    • MotorCityJack

      3 years ago

      At least they will be better than Detroit. The Tigers are continuing there never ending building program. I’m stuck in a city with 4 awful sports teams.
      Of those 4, only the NHL Red Wings are showing any promise of a playoff appearance.

      2
      Reply
      • ponytail01

        3 years ago

        I feel your pain. Most of the Chicago teams are rebuilding but this is the second time for the Sox.

        Reply
        • Aaron Sapoznik

          3 years ago

          The White Sox are hardly in a rebuild this offseason. They still have a fairly young core with most under team control for at least 3 more seasons. This offseason they need to find a 2B, add a left-handed hitting bat for the OF beyond expected RF Oscar Colas and at least one SP if not two to fill out their rotation.

          Adding a catcher would be a bonus in 2023 with Yasmani Grandal still under contract for one more season. They could attempt signing a defense-first veteran backstop to take some of the load off of Grandal. They might also target a controllable starting catcher as they look ahead to 2024 and beyond. Trading for A’s receiver Sean Murphy or one of the three ‘young’ Blue Jay catchers would make sense for the White Sox with no sure fire prospect ready to assume full time duty in their system.

          Mike Clevenger would be a solid buy-low option for 2023 seeing as how he will be two years removed from his TJ surgery. He will also benefit from a full offseason of hands-on coaching and medical assistance from whatever team signs him. The owners lockout prevented that from happening as a rehabbing Padre last winter.

          An additional SP, preferably a lefty would also be nice. Jose Quintana would fit the bill and also provide a bit more certainty in terms of durability. Michael Kopech will be behind the other starters this spring as he continues to rehab from his late September knee surgery. Ethan Katz is hoping that Kopech might be stretched out enough to give the White Sox 5 innings by opening day and that’s assuming no further setbacks along the way.

          2
          Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          It’s time to take off the rose colored glasses and say hello to the WS brand of reality. They need a 2b man. They did nothing in 2020 to get one, preferring to fill the spot with utility players and one minor leaguer. There is no indication that they will try to get one for next season. In case you hadn’t noticed, grandal didn’t’t catch as much as a starting catcher should. I’m hoping Sox management saw how bad a player he is and had him dh even though he can’t hit. If you read the article you would see that clevinger is in a decline. He isn’t getting better after tj surgery. Katz is good, but he’s not a magician. Float all the names the Sox might get, but, like with clevinger, they’ll only add players on the cheap, players who wouldn’t even be considered low tier.

          2
          Reply
        • Oldman58

          3 years ago

          You might want to check how many young productive players they have on that team. And dig a little deeper none of them stay healthy

          Reply
        • Aaron Sapoznik

          3 years ago

          @avenger65

          The White Sox selected 2B Nick Madrigal with the overall #4 pick of the 2018 MLB June Amateur Draft. They chose Madrigal already knowing that incumbent 2B Yoan Moncada would better serve the team playing 3B. After a quick and successful ascension through their farm system, Madrigal made his MLB debut during the abbreviated 2020 pandemic season. He was the White Sox starting baseman in 2020 and 2021 when he wasn’t on the IL.

          Madrigal was also assumed to be the team’s core 2B until Rick Hahn gave him away, along with potential future closer Cody Heuer, in the infamous Craig Kimbrel trade. Most White Sox fans were not happy with the deal when it was made and even less thrilled when Kimbrel bombed as Liam Hendriks setup man. The only ‘solace’ was that Madrigal was already on the IL when the trade went down and wouldn’t be available until 2022.

          Because of that trade, the White Sox are in the market for a new opening day second baseman. Hopefully they will find their new core at the keystone and not just fill the hole with more veterans like César Hernández and Josh Harrison who were added after Madrigal’s 2021 season ending injury and his subsequent summer deadline trade.

          2
          Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          I wish Hahn would one day explain why he got a closer when they already had one. What did he think would happen?Making Kimbrell a setup man was something that failed miserably. And to give up Madrigal for him…And now they’re looking for a second baseman going on two years. I’m in Ludington 2023 because there has been no indication that they are looking for a 2b man. If they’re thinking of giving it to romy, we’re in big trouble. I don’t remember Madrigal being on the IL until the end of 2021. once again the Sox gave up on a player too soon. Mendick is another example.

          2
          Reply
        • ponytail01

          3 years ago

          I love Madrigal’s bat but he is not very good at turning the double play.

          1
          Reply
        • nrd1138

          3 years ago

          Teams in it to ‘win now’ (like the Sox are supposedly) do not aim for the middle and take to ‘hoping’ if they pick up this this or that reclamation project that they will pan out.

          1
          Reply
        • one

          3 years ago

          are you under the impression that Madrigal is good?

          3
          Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          He was with the Sox until he got injured. Then the Sox gave up on him until waiting to see how he played after the injury healed. Same think with Mendick who helped keep the team going as a quality utility player. field players usually come back stronger than pitchers because they don’t have to be as technical with their throwing like pitchers have to be.

          Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          3 years ago

          Load of hooey: infamous trade? Most White Sox werent happy with the trade? Funny, didnt realize you were their spokesperson. Slappy hardly registers with his weak contact, substandard d, and absence of baseball acumen. Is he even a major league regular?

          3
          Reply
        • The Brokenheart Kid

          3 years ago

          I usually enjoy reading your considered opinions, but this one sounds as if it came straight from the Sox Ministry of Propaganda. I laughed so hard that I choked on my Corn Flakes when you spoke of the “fairly young core with most being under team control for at least 3 more seasons.” What you call “team control” to most disillusioned Sox fans is “stuck with” or “saddled with” or “untradeable.” Consider the Moncoda contract,

          The Sox do not have the capital in their system to trade for any young catcher, especially when Grandal is on the books for another year. They are going to have a hard enough time filling out the ’23 roster without trying to be farsighted. Hell, we should be terrified of Hahn being proactive as look at all those rotten contracts he has weighted the team down with on betting the youngsters would become superstars. A proactive Hahn might be the greatest enemy of the Sox.

          Clevenger is damaged goods. Sox should have nothing to do with him. He might well be a perfect “buy-low option” but what about when the papier-mâché man goes down with a hurt, and the Sox have to rip through their farm system for a replacement? The last thing this injury-prone club should be doing is signing guys who have serious injury concerns.

          I’d rather see the Sox try and get a #2 arm than a couple of #4 and #5 starters in Clevenger and JQ.

          2
          Reply
        • The Brokenheart Kid

          3 years ago

          I would argue that the majority of Sox fans were delighted at the time of the Kimbrel trade and praised Hahn lavishly for creating a two-headed ninth-inning monster . I say this because I hated the deal at the time because any goofball could have seen the Sox needed a lot more than another closer to make a deep playoff run. When I made this view known on various fan boards, I was roundly criticized. I would say at the bare minimum,, it was 60/40 in favor of the deal among Sox fans when the deal happened. There were Sox fans speaking of the genius of Hahn at that time by turning a guy out for season and an AAAA reliever into an elite closer who would be key in bringing the Sox a second WS title since ’05.

          1
          Reply
        • Dumpster Divin Theo

          3 years ago

          What Brokenheart stated so eloquently. +1. Hahn is actually quite good at contract mgmt, that’s his specialty as a Harvard Law school and Northwestern MBA. Forward thinking long term contracts netted them surplus value w Sale and Eaton among others which they parlayed into trade capital. Talent evaluation, particularly that of their rivals is what kills them. Probably have the most underperforming advance team scouting operation out there. A team that held its own v the Yankees, Red Sox, Rays and Astros but consistently outmanuvered in division. Hopefully the Grifol signing heralds a Renaissance, as the Royals are exhibit A of a division rival that punched way above their weight class and routinely stole the Sox lunch.

          Reply
        • nrd1138

          3 years ago

          II dunno about others, but I did not see a wave of support when Kimbrel came to the Sox, much to the contrary. Two closers on the roster rarely works out well (barring the occasionally good pitcher than can either that way, or due to injuries). Typically because closing takes a certain mindset, same with setup man, and for those who think that is ‘bunk’, I give you Kimbrel’s performance. The Sox also have a habit of trying to put players into roles they are obviously not comfortable with.. Swisher, and Dunn being two I can think of right off the bat…
          Never mind that Kimbrel had maybe one good season in the NL after several subpar ones for a FO to think that he was going to be good coming back to the AL.

          Reply
      • hitztheball

        3 years ago

        You need to start drinking some of that Honolulu Blue kool-aid like the rest of us!

        Reply
    • avenger65

      3 years ago

      Wait ’til the cubs finish with a better record than the Sox next season. That will make the fans stay away in droves.

      2
      Reply
      • Oldman58

        3 years ago

        White Sox fans always stay away in droves. The place might be packed if they are giving something away, if they’re playing the Cubs or if they’re a sure thing to make the playoffs which is a rarity

        Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          The Sox made the PO in 2020 and 2021. I doubt they will get there again in my lifetime thanks to LaRussa and Jr screwed up the entire rebuild. Oh where oh where are you, Ricky?

          1
          Reply
  4. Zakis

    3 years ago

    Why are you up so later Tim?!

    Reply
    • Deleted Userr

      3 years ago

      Complaining about more content?

      Reply
  5. sss847

    3 years ago

    weird player to prioritize when the big needs are 2B and OF. oh well.

    5
    Reply
    • Rishi

      3 years ago

      I doubt signing Clevinger would prevent them from addressing those needs.

      Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      3 years ago

      The Sox always prioritize (mediocre) pitching and ignore everything else.

      2
      Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      3 years ago

      Maybe bigger, but right now, they have only 4 starters. Lambert and Martin could fill that role, but this would be a relatively cheap upside play.

      Reply
    • #1WhiteSoxFan

      3 years ago

      Red herring!!
      Diversionary tactic!
      Sox will sign Judge!

      Reply
      • hyraxwithaflamethrower

        3 years ago

        @#1WSF, You are delusional. I have a better chance of winning the lottery and figuring out how to teleport than the Sox FO has of convincing JR to part with that much money.

        4
        Reply
    • #1WhiteSoxFan

      3 years ago

      The 3 “P’s” of baseball:
      Pitching!
      Pitching!
      Pitching!

      1
      Reply
    • DTD/ATL1313

      3 years ago

      Where does it mention that he’s a priority?

      Reply
      • sss847

        3 years ago

        the headline is “white sox showing strong interest in clevinger” and its the first white sox free agent headline of the off-season. if thats the one player linked to the white sox publicly, that means hes a priority.

        unless i missed the “white sox showing strong interest in trea turner and michael conforto” or whoever headlines…

        1
        Reply
        • DTD/ATL1313

          3 years ago

          Strong interest ≠ priority.

          Reply
        • sss847

          3 years ago

          they just signed him. looks like i was right.

          Reply
        • DTD/ATL1313

          3 years ago

          Them signing him confirms the strong interest. Like I said, strong interest ≠ priority.

          Reply
  6. .

    3 years ago

    Pretty hard to time this guy with his nutty wind up. I wouldn’t want him on my team though. I couldn’t watch him do that every 5 days or so for 2 hours. Seeing it a couple times a year is more than enough.

    8
    Reply
    • Jean Matrac

      3 years ago

      Agree. I can’t stand watching the pee pee dance, and seeing it every 5 days would be torture. OTOH, the pitch clock might curtail some of that.

      6
      Reply
      • Bart Harley Jarvis

        3 years ago

        Bringing the pee pee dance to the South Side!

        2
        Reply
  7. James Midway

    3 years ago

    They can use him as the guy in the bullpen that pitches when you are up or down by 6+ Runs because you don’t want to waste good pitchers on those innings.

    2
    Reply
    • hyraxwithaflamethrower

      3 years ago

      He wouldn’t sign on for that, just like Belli won’t sign on to be a platoon player. These guys want a lot of playing time to rebuild value, not to be sitting at the end of the bench.

      3
      Reply
  8. Rishi

    3 years ago

    There is a lot of upside there potentially and if nothing else he will be a decent #5 starter. He’s not gonna cost a lot.

    2
    Reply
    • Murphy NFLD

      3 years ago

      A perfect offseason for the Jays for me would be this guy, Nimmo and belly. I don’t see it all happening but they need to get 2/3 I believe and then depending on the OF they get trade Jansen or Kirk for the other Oaf they need

      Reply
  9. Surly_03

    3 years ago

    White Sox Showing Strong Interest In Continued Mediocrity

    7
    Reply
    • DTD/ATL1313

      3 years ago

      What’s wrong with going after him as your number 5 starter? He’ll be cheap and has proven to be a good starter.

      1
      Reply
      • avenger65

        3 years ago

        Yeah, like two-three years ago. it’s kind of like, What have you done lately?

        Reply
        • DTD/ATL1313

          3 years ago

          And one of those years was spent injured. He came back and had a decent yr. If you’re looking for an ace, definitely not. But like I said, a good number 5 starter.

          Reply
  10. Deadguy

    3 years ago

    From 2017-20, mostly pitching for Cleveland, Clevinger put up a 2.96 ERA over 489 1/3 innings, including an excellent 19 K-BB%. He was quite possibly one of the 20 best pitchers in baseball during that time

    While this is true? I see it as a hard sell to ever see him return to that form? Maybe, I didn’t see it happening for Wainwright either but it did?

    Did Preller ask thar clevinger pass a physical before being traded? Always ask for a physical kids before swinging a trade

    Reply
  11. SteveNVegas

    3 years ago

    Decent buy low candidate. Worth a shot

    3
    Reply
    • User 3044878754

      3 years ago

      Clevinger is a waste. The dude couldn’t pitch in the biggest park in baseball, San Diego. How’s he gonna pitch in the band box Chicago?

      6
      Reply
      • SteveNVegas

        1 year ago

        He seems to have done just fine…

        Reply
    • JoeBrady

      3 years ago

      I agree with you and Hippyripper. Some fans don’t go back any further than one year of stats. It all depends on price, but I think “2nd year back” guys like Syndergaard & Clevinger are decent gambles.

      1
      Reply
  12. Deleted Userr

    3 years ago

    That trade was terrible!

    3
    Reply
  13. TrillionaireTeamOperator

    3 years ago

    1 year/$4M w/ a $1M buyout on an $11M club option maybe?

    Reply
    • Longtimecoming

      3 years ago

      If it was still 2012 maybe.

      Prediction is 1/10. Maybe 2/18 if he wants the 2nd year.

      1
      Reply
  14. bwmiller

    3 years ago

    id think Clevenger’s market is well above Johnny Cueto’s, hard not to give Cueto another year, have to extend Giolito before you make a big FA acquisition

    2
    Reply
    • #1WhiteSoxFan

      3 years ago

      There is no chance Giolito will sign an extension. He is looking forward to free agency.

      4
      Reply
      • bwmiller

        3 years ago

        If he buys into this team, he’d take a team friendly deal for a couple more seasons, he didnt pitch himself into any kind of FA frenzy last season, he has a lot riding on this season.

        3
        Reply
        • Dogbone

          3 years ago

          Giolito has absolutely no interest in signing onto this mess. He wants to get back home out West. The Angels would love him. A perfect fit.

          Reply
        • avenger65

          3 years ago

          He’s never said he wants to play on California. He said he likes playing in Chicago, but that was before last season’s LaRussa debacle.

          2
          Reply
        • Dogbone

          3 years ago

          Are you telling me that you don’t believe the CWS have approached Giolito yet, with a contact extension?
          He wants OUT!

          Reply
  15. JayRyder

    3 years ago

    This guy might be a great risk signing for any team. I think it might take 1/10 mil though. With incentives. If a team can get the baseline down to 6 or 8, then go from there. I’d go for it for sure.

    1
    Reply
    • King Floch

      3 years ago

      I agree, he would be a very solid 1 year dice roll for a fringe contender without a ton of money to spend or a non-contender. If he improves, maybe he helps you push for a wildcard or snags you an interesting prospect or two at the trade deadline. If not, he comes off the books at the end of the season and life goes on. Even as a 5th starter candidate on a better/richer team, you can definitely do a lot worse.

      Reply
  16. bwmiller

    3 years ago

    Rodon got 2 / 45M with an opt out after his first strong season back from injury, granted Clevinger wasnt quite as good but its a fair comparison.

    1
    Reply
  17. cwsOverhaul

    3 years ago

    Fine if it’s a 1yr deal under 10mil to regain motivation for new final contract like Cueto. That aside, eye opening trade would be shipping Hendriks off since a team with poor offense against RHPs (and subpar D) doesn’t need to carry an 8 figure closer. Seems like a Dodger fit. Maybe they can see if Lux available to realize his potential as a lefty 2B WSox could use as part of a deal. They have to be creative with trades and cash dumps as priority #1.

    1
    Reply
  18. whyhayzee

    3 years ago

    With Davis Martin penciled into the fifth starting spot for the White Sox at present, pitching coach Ethan Katz recently commented, “Obviously, we need another starter,”

    Nice vote of confidence from the “coach”.

    1
    Reply
    • Tim Dierkes

      3 years ago

      I wrote this poorly, like Katz was specifically dissing Martin. That was not the case, so I edited it.

      1
      Reply
    • realsox

      3 years ago

      The Sox are looking for a fourth starter to replace Cueto. That’s not a knock on Martin, who was already likely get the fifth slot.

      Reply
    • Aaron Sapoznik

      3 years ago

      Maybe Ethan Katz still has 2022 on his mind? The White Sox lost Lance Lynn for a couple of months after tearing his left knee tendon during his last spring training start. This came shortly after the news that Garrett Crochet would require TJ surgery. Crochet was expected to assume the role Michael Kopech had the previous season as a flexible bullpen option and occasional opener. These injuries resulted in the White Sox signing Johnny Cueto to a late spring minor league deal.

      Katz also has the poor early season showing of Dallas Keuchel fresh in his mind. Keuchel was ineffective before finally being released in late May. Cueto had built up enough arm strength at AAA Charlotte and was added to the White Sox rotation about a week before Keuchel’s DFA.

      Lucas Giolito was also having a subpar season to that point and continued to struggle for most of 2022. Michael Kopech was solid early on but was being handled with kid gloves knowing that his innings would be limited in 2022 following his own TJ surgery and a missed pandemic season. Kopech had his own assortment of health issues in the second half that saw him hit the IL and eventually end his season early with late September knee surgery. Of the 5 expected opening day starters, Dylan Cease was the only one who stayed healthy and produced for the entirety of 2022.

      2
      Reply
      • avenger65

        3 years ago

        I hate to even say it because I liked Crochet from the beginning, but I was always fearful that he would have tj surgery because of the way he pitched. He three hard, but there was something about his pitching motion that made me think that.

        Reply
  19. Yoyosoxsox

    3 years ago

    If u are looking at him why not bring Cueto back? That guy kept them in a ton of games last year and he wasn’t blowing people away so he should be almost the same pitcher. Signing clev seems like a move we have tried in past seasons.

    5
    Reply
  20. SupremeZeus

    3 years ago

    I suspect like AJ Pollack, many of these players simply will not want to play for the White Sox organization unless it is their only option or it is a significant overpay. Just a poorly run organization and a bad clubhouse.

    4
    Reply
    • Dogbone

      3 years ago

      Bingo!!!!

      Reply
    • ChiSoxCity

      3 years ago

      Pollack was a waste of space with the Sox. Nobody cares that he left. To somehow blame his departure on a “poorly run” organization is a reach. I agree however; the White Sox could use better ownership. No one can dispute that. But that organization up north is far worse in many respects. They really have no excuse why their roster is a dumpster fire. They make more money than the Red Sox, but spend money like the Savanna Bananas. Dogbone is desperately trying to convince himself that his team of choice is superior. Like all Cubs fans, however, they know deep down inside that they are being duped. The cognitive dissonance is palpable.

      3
      Reply
      • Yoyosoxsox

        3 years ago

        I gave a like because of the savanna banana.. I have no idea what that is… but I like it

        2
        Reply
      • Dumpster Divin Theo

        3 years ago

        Don’t feed Dogtroll. Most have him on mute so his vacuous rumblings barely register. Aside from his self likes.

        1
        Reply
  21. Simm

    3 years ago

    Maybe it was his bulky knee, maybe it was the long season after coming back from his second Tommy John. Either way clevinger was total trash at the end if the year and especially in the playoffs. Between clevinger and manaea the padres basically had no 4 or 5 starter to finish the year.

    Perhaps clevinger can comeback stronger next year but he looked cooked at the end of the season so there is some real risk here.

    1
    Reply
  22. stroh

    3 years ago

    Cueto is better than this guy. Clevinger looked like a batting practice pitcher last year.

    2
    Reply
    • Aaron Sapoznik

      3 years ago

      Mike Clevenger will turn 32 in December. Johnny Cueto will be 37 in February. Clevenger is also two years removed from his November 2020 TJ surgery. Cueto wasn’t exactly a model of health and productivity as a Giant since 2016 before rebounding last season with the White Sox. Clevenger has both age and a better track record of more recent ‘ace’ production on his side.

      Rick Hahn has his hands tied with budget restraints from his boss. If I had to gamble on either pitcher my money would be on Clevinger. That said, Hahn has many more options with second and third tier free agent arms than just these two. He also figures to explore the trade market for a SP in addition to his pursuit of a lefty bat who can also provide better defense in the outfield, fill the hole at 2B and perhaps add a veteran catcher.

      Reply
      • avenger65

        3 years ago

        Explore the trade market for a starting pitcher and maybe a 2b and sp. I’ll believe it when I see it. For now, it’s all talk. As for Cueto’s age compared to clevinger’s, what difference does it make if the older guy pitches better than the younger one? Would you release Verlander a year after winning his third Cy Young and helping his team to a WS victory just because of his age? You have to judge players by their performance, not their age. Remember guy named Albert Pujols who accomplished some good things at age 42?

        Reply
  23. IronBallsMcGinty

    3 years ago

    I agree with most of what’s been posted here. This would totally be a typical Sox move. That’s not to say that Clevinger can’t bounce back and be effective and probably won’t cost much. It’s just that this team is supposed to be competing and have no reason not to be healthy and ready come spring training. I’d hope they’d aim a little higher or at least, as others have said, bring back Cueto.

    Reply
  24. roob

    3 years ago

    This would be an excellent signing for the Whte Sox. I sure hope that it happens.

    1
    Reply
  25. south side hit men

    3 years ago

    This signing would be fine. Davis Martin still has minor league options left. Charlotte has nobody else ready to come up so adding pitching is always going to be fine

    2
    Reply
  26. User 3663041837

    3 years ago

    Just resign Cueto

    Reply
  27. minoso9

    3 years ago

    How about we sign both Clevinger and Cueto? At least one will get hurt, but you can’t have too much starting pitching.

    2
    Reply
  28. WideWorldofSports

    3 years ago

    White sox interested in athletic shoes

    Reply
  29. sergefunction

    3 years ago

    Fans of White Sox rivals undoubtedly hope the White Sox sign Mike Clevinger.

    Reply
    • Franco22

      3 years ago

      You are correct ! Waste of money when there are a lot of young pitchers out there ready for breakout seasons.

      Reply
  30. BaseballisLife

    3 years ago

    Got to wonder how much Sunshine will have to change his “mechanics” with the pitch clock?

    1
    Reply
  31. Franco22

    3 years ago

    I thought Sox were going to improve with trades ! I’d rather they get a SP they could control for a few years. Seattle’s Brash and or Flexen could fit the bill. One catcher Kirk from Blue Jays would work. You need a good SS to work with any 2B. So any big investment there is a waste as long as TA is the SS. Sign Andrus trade TA for a 2B and trade Giolito for the two SP’s in Seattle. Send Hendricks and/or others maybe TA for Kirk and or Merrifield. Merrifield can play OF too! More flexibility. TA won’t play the OF, he’s not a SS. Robin Yount moved from SS to OF and became a HOF’er.

    1
    Reply
    • #1WhiteSoxFan

      3 years ago

      Pollock surprised Sox by turning down option.
      Gave Sox extra $ to sign a FA!

      Reply
      • Augusto Barojas

        3 years ago

        Pollock left and took less money because he was with the Dodgers, who are a great organization, prior to coming to the Sox, who are a terrible organization.

        Reply
  32. HBan22

    3 years ago

    What was worse for Preller – the Clevinger trade or the Austin Nola trade?

    I’m not even a Preller hater, as I acknowledge that he has made plenty of good trades as well. But those two were absolutely brutal ones.

    Reply
  33. CrikesAlready

    3 years ago

    Clevinger has issues that might cause Brady-esque issues. His connection to the Lindsay Hill/Trevor Bauer situation is intimate (Clev’s name in the mix during depositions, I guess). He’s got a young child in the mix.

    Reply
    • In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

      2 years ago

      This comment aged perfectly.

      1
      Reply
      • Franco22

        2 years ago

        Yes Clever-ger was a bad deal, but maybe it’s a precursor to getting Bauer (lol!). They can alternate suspensions unpaid, that could help budget. They should have traded for one of the Mariners pitchers.

        1
        Reply
        • Aaron Sapoznik

          2 years ago

          Assuming you meant one of the Marlins pitchers?

          Reply
        • In Seager/Hader We Trust > the 70 MM DH Ohtani

          2 years ago

          Clevinger should have gotten a divorce instead. It would have been way cheaper. That would have been more clever.

          1
          Reply
        • Franco22

          2 years ago

          Right now either team would work, Flexen or Brash are more probable. Spring ball next month and we will be down one starter maybe two with World Classic going on.

          Reply
  34. ChiSox cubPunkers

    3 years ago

    2B solved!

    Reply

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