1 step forward, 2 steps back for the White Sox. After Lucas Giolito was reinstated from the IL, news broke that Carlos Rodon was placed on it with elbow inflammation. Never a good sign for a pitcher.
Rick Hahn said everything is on the table for Rodon, including Tommy John. Dylan Covey will be taking Rodon’s place in the rotation, meaning 3/5 of the rotation consist of him, Ivan Nova, and Manny Banuelos. Not good.
HOWEVER
Reports are starting to swirl that Blue Jay’s ace Marcus Stroman is available for trade. If this is true, then the White Sox should absolutely pursue him. He has started off the season on fire, even though his 1-4 record may suggest otherwise.
He currently has a 2.20 ERA and a 1.4 WAR in 7 games this season. No he never has been a strikeout machine, but he gets more ground balls than virtually anyone in baseball. Plus his firey attitude would fit in perfectly on the South Side.
Speaking of that attitude, many might disagree with this idea due to the beef that Stroman has had with Tim Anderson. What some people might not know is that Stroman publicly backed up Anderson’s bat flip heard around the world against the Kansas City Royals. Having those 2 on the same team would do wonders for the culture.
At 28 years old, Stroman is in the prime of his career but is a free agent after 2020. Long term he isn’t the best fit, but so far in 2019 the White Sox have been enjoyable to watch. Adding Stroman would help even more. Plus, the White Sox still have a chance to be a good team in 2020, so Stroman could fit in nicely with Michael Kopech, Reynaldo Lopez, Dylan Cease, Lucas Giolito, etc next year as well.
The only thing working against the White Sox is that a true contending team might offer something superior than Chicago as the trade deadline draws nearer. If the White Sox are serious about adding Stroman, they have to do it sooner than later.
