What can Mike Clevinger bring to the Chicago White Sox?

Going into the 2023 MLB season, the Chicago White Sox are looking to bounce back from an underwhelming 81-81 record in 2022. Franchise icon Jose Abreu departed to the World Series champion Houston Astros in free agency and with the winter meetings happening recently, more signings will be happening. However, one signing has already been made and it is a little under the radar.

The White Sox officially announced the agreement of a 1-year contract with right-handed pitcher Mike Clevinger, formally of the San Diego Padres. The contract is worth $8 million in 2023 and has a $12 million mutual option for 2024 with a $4 million buyout.

Clevinger will join a rotation featuring Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, Lucas Giolito and Michael Kopech. He will likely be the fifth starter to begin the season but based on his track record with Cleveland, this rotation has a chance to be one of the best in the American League or even all of the MLB. In his career with Cleveland, Clevinger recorded a 3.20 ERA. He was good in the 2020 shortened season with Cleveland and then after being traded to San Diego but missed 2021 with Tommy John surgery. He came back in 2022 and posted a 4.33 ERA while being hampered by injuries.

The White Sox are hoping Clevinger can put his injury-plagued season in 2022 behind him and return to the starter he was prior to 2021. If Chicago wants to return to the playoffs in 2023, they need their starting rotation to lead the way and Clevinger can help be a big part of that. White Sox fans have been clamoring for more moves after a slow start to the offseason, but Clevinger is a quality signing nonetheless.