Chicago White Sox: Recapping the offseason and what’s left to do

Daniel Hudson would be a fantastic addition to the White Sox bullpen.

Daniel Hudson, RHP

Hudson made the news in the postseason, skipping Game 1 of the NLCS to be home for the birth of his daughter. Good for him. Family comes first, and the Sox should be attracted to a guy with good character. He also dominated on the mound last season, split between Toronto and Washington and posted a combined 2.47 ERA. Hudson struck out 71 batters in 73.0 innings while allowing just 27 free passes. He has reportedly received several multi-year offers, but nothing that the 32-year-old has been able to sign. The White Sox are projected to open the season with a payroll at just $114 million – well below the $208 million luxury tax threshold – so additional moves to improve the roster should be considered.

Alex Wood, LHP

Wood missed a bunch of the 2019 season with a back injury, and a move to the bullpen could be required to extend his career. In seven starts with the Cincinnati Reds, Wood posted a 5.80 ERA in 35.2 innings. While he’s still 28 years of age, pitchers who have converted to the bullpen have usually done well. Kerry Wood, Ian Kennedy, Andrew Miller, and Dellin Betances are all names that immediately come to mind. The question, though, becomes, if Wood is willing to accept a lesser role?

Steve Cishek, RHP

Cishek is a submarine-style pitcher who spent the two seasons on the north side of town. He was relied upon heavily and posted a 2.55 ERA in 134.1 innings of work while striking out 135 batters. Now 33-years-old, Cishek could be a valuable arm in the White Sox bullpen, one that has allowed a .222 batting average in high-leverage situations for his career and a .233 average on no days of rest.

Rick Hahn and company have done a tremendous job to make the White Sox very competitive for the next several years. Now it’s just fine-tuning until pitchers and catchers report in February.