MLB starter Mike Clevinger Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

White Sox free-agent options after trading ace Dylan Cease to the Padres

By Carly Wimer | Last updated 3/14/24

Chicago White Sox ace Dylan Cease has been the talk of the trade market this offseason and Wednesday he was finally dealt to the San Diego Padres. Now, the White Sox are faced with the tough task of replacing their rotation lead with Opening Day just two weeks away. To find an adequate replacement for their former ace, the club would likely need to look outside of the organization.

BREAKING: The San Diego Padres are finalizing a trade to acquire right-hander Dylan Cease from the Chicago White Sox, sources tell ESPN.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) March 13, 2024

Two of the top free-agent pitchers this offseason, left-hander Jordan Montgomery and reigning NL Cy Young winner Blake Snell, remain unsigned.

The White Sox have yet to express any interest in the two high-priced lefties, but they have been recently linked to 32-year-old right-hander Michael Lorenzen . Lorenzen (9-9, 4.18 ERA in 2023) earned his first All-Star selection last summer while splitting the season between the Detroit Tigers and Philadelphia Phillies. While Lorenzen doesn't compare to Cease, he is still an efficient pitcher with a career 19.6% strikeout rate and a 47.1% ground ball rate.

The White Sox could also look to re-sign 33-year-old right-hander Mike Clevinger. Clevinger started 24 games for the White Sox in 2023, pitching to a 3.77 ERA and 9-9 record in that space. His $14 million club option for 2024 was declined by the White Sox despite him being Chicago's most consistent starter last season. With Michael Kopech expected to open the season in the bullpen, reuniting with Clevinger could bring stability to a rotation that's seen a lot of shake-ups.

Now that the Chicago White Sox traded Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech is being moved to the bullpen, they are internally discussing the possibility of bringing back free-agent starter Mike Clevinger. Clevinger was their most consistent starter last year: 9-9 with a 3.77 ERA.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) March 14, 2024

Chicago could also decide to promote from within the organization and wait until the deadline to acquire a new starter.

If the White Sox go that route, it could open the door for newly acquired right-hander Drew Thorpe to join the rotation. The 23-year-old led the minor leagues in strikeouts (182 in 139.1 innings) last season and has pitched seven scoreless innings so far this spring. Thorpe has two weeks of spring training left to crack the roster of his new team.

Opening Day for the White Sox is March 28, when they will begin their 2024 campaign with a home showdown against the Tigers.

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