3 moves the Chicago White Sox should make to save this season
By Todd Welter
The Chicago White Sox should move Michael Kopech to the bullpen now.
It might be time to pull the plug on Michael Kopech being in the starting rotation. Last year, he joined the rotation and had a 4.49 ERA. His ERA has jumped to 5.74 this season. He has a 1.56 WHIP and a 7.31 FIP.
Kopech showed in 2021 that he can be an effective pitcher out of the bullpen. He had a 3.50 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP.
He can pitch multiple high-leverage innings in relief. His stuff is more suited to being a pitcher that can come in and get outs in high-leverage situations. He showed he can shut down bats in the seventh or eighth inning.
Some think Kopech would be a good closer. He showed in 2021 he is at his best pitching during the middle of the game or as an opener.
The bullpen is due to get Liam Hendriks and Garrett Crochet back soon. Adding Kopech to the relief group would instantly improve the unit, especially with Hendriks and Crochet reinforcing it. They can join Gregory Santos, Kendall Graveman, and Joe Kelly to dramatically alter the situation.
Although, the Sox do not have a lot of starting rotation depth in the organization. Davis Martin is currently on the injured list in Triple-A Charlotte. The Sox would need to see if Martin is healthy before moving Kopech out of the starting rotation.