White Sox Sign Mike Clevinger to New Contract
The Chicago White Sox have made a significant move in their pitching rotation by signing free-agent right-hander Mike Clevinger to a one-year contract. This news comes from sources who have been briefed on the discussions. The agreement is currently pending a physical, but it is expected to go through smoothly. The story was first reported by Robert Murray of Fansided.
Clevinger, who is 33 years old, was ranked as the 31st best free agent by The Athletic. Out of the top 40 free agents listed, only two players, first baseman Brandon Belt and outfielder Tommy Pham, remain unsigned. This highlights the value that Clevinger brings to the White Sox.
The White Sox made the move to acquire Clevinger after trading Dylan Cease to the San Diego Padres earlier this month. With Cease’s departure, the team needed to bolster their pitching rotation. Currently, their front four consists of Garrett Crochet, Michael Soroka, Erick Fedde, and Chris Flexen. While Clevinger may need some time to get ready for the season, he has proven himself as an above-average pitcher for the White Sox in the past.
Despite missing time last season due to wrist and biceps injuries, Clevinger performed admirably for the team. He had a solid 3.77 ERA in 24 starts, showcasing his skills on the mound. This performance likely played a role in the White Sox’s decision to sign him to a new contract.
It is worth noting that Clevinger’s journey to this point has not been without controversy. When the White Sox initially signed him to a one-year, $12 million contract in November 2022, they were unaware of allegations of physical and child abuse made against him by a former partner. However, MLB conducted an investigation into the matter and ultimately decided not to discipline Clevinger. The investigation involved interviews with over 15 people and a review of thousands of documents and electronic communications.
Clevinger expressed his cooperation with MLB throughout the investigation and stated that he had nothing to hide. To further address the situation, he agreed to be evaluated by the joint treatment boards under baseball’s collective bargaining agreement and follow any recommendations they provided.
Prior to joining the White Sox, Clevinger spent five seasons with the Cleveland team. However, he was traded to the Padres in August 2020 after violating COVID-19 protocols and taking a team flight without informing club officials. Unfortunately, Clevinger’s time with the Padres was plagued by injuries, including Tommy John surgery in November 2020, which kept him sidelined for the entire 2021 season. Despite his setbacks, he managed to make appearances for the Padres in 2022 before joining the White Sox in 2023.
The addition of Mike Clevinger to the White Sox’s pitching rotation brings depth and experience to the team. With his proven ability to perform at a high level, he will undoubtedly contribute to the team’s success in the upcoming season. White Sox fans can look forward to seeing Clevinger take the mound and help lead the team towards their goals.
(Photo credit: Quinn Harris/Getty Images)