The Chicago White Sox made the first big splash of the 2019 MLB free agency period, agreeing to terms with catcher Yasmani Grandal on a three-year deal Thursday morning. They also signed Jose Abreu to a three-year extension on Friday morning.
With the addition of Grandal, the White Sox are showing they won’t be quiet in this free agency period and are ready to win right now. They will likely add a few more pieces and a starting pitcher could be one of them.
Shorty after the signing of Grandal was announced, Bob Nightengale reported that the White Sox are now pursuing a veteran starter and right there at the top of their list is Zack Wheeler.
Wheeler won’t be the top pitcher on the market as that will belong to both Garrit Cole and Stephen Strasburg. But Wheeler will still be a hot name and a team like the White Sox could be the perfect fit.
The 29-year-old Wheeler will turn 30 in May and will likely command a huge contract on the market. MLB Trade Rumors projects him to get $100M over five years which would be the largest contract in White Sox history, beating out…..Grandal’s. But will the White Sox pay that price?
Wheeler has rebounded over the past two years posting a 8.9 fWAR over 377 2/3 innings. He was injured in the three prior years and had to have Tommy John surgery, putting his career on hold with the Mets. But he turned around and delivered with those numbers over the past two seasons.
With some questions about the White Sox rotation including Michael Kopech returning from Tommy John, the South Siders could make the next big splash and add to that rotation with Wheeler.
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