OK, before everyone freaks out, every single team makes these types of moves throughout the season. Most of the time, it doesn’t end up mattering, but you can never have enough pitching depth.
It seemed like the White Sox had a great edge over other teams, having at least seven solid pitchers for their starting rotation in 2020, but then Michael Kopech opted out, Reynaldo Lopez got hurt and Gio Gonzalez hasn’t exactly been impressive filling in for Lopez.
So, why not add a veteran lefty who has had some success in the past. On Monday, the White Sox signed 36-year-old Clayton Richard, who made his MLB debut with the team in 2008.
Again, it’s OK, it’s a minor league deal and Richard is going to Schaumburg to throw Andrew Vaughn some BP.
Richard has a career 4.51 ERA and 1.43 WHIP. He was with the Blue Jays in 2019, making 10 starts for Toronto and put up an unimpressive 5.96 ERA in 45.1 innings. His most recent stretch of success came in 2015-16, with the Cubs and Padres, as he combined to throw 110 innings and had a 3.52 ERA in 59 appearances.
Just a depth move and most likely some insurance if the White Sox all of a sudden can’t find a reliable starter at the back end of their rotation. But we’re a long way from Clayton Richard pitching for the Sox in a game that matters.
