The White Sox have finally added some much needed starting pitching.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the team has reached a minor league deal with free-agent hurler Johnny Cueto. The deal will allow for the right-hander to make $4.2 million, prorated for days spent spent in major leagues.
Cueto, 36, is coming off his 14th major league season and sixth spent with the San Fransisco Giants. During 2021, he went 7-7 over 21 starts with a 4.08 ERA (52 ER/114.2 IP), 98 strikeouts, 30 walks, 4.05 FIP, and 1.369 WHIP. The two-time All-Star was also not shy about his new deal with the South Siders, immediately updating his profile on Twitter to show off the black and white.
Though a few years removed from his peak, the recent numbers show Cueto has remained a serviceable pitcher with his 20% strikeout rate and 38.1% groundball rate. Though his 6.1% walk rate offsets these a bit, the White Sox still managed to get the best free agent starter available and given their current situation, they can no longer afford to be picky. Though he’ll need some time to ramp up for the regular season, Cueto will look to bring a steadying, veteran presence in Lance Lynn’s absence. Who knows, if all goes well, the shimmying righty very well may stick at the back-end of the rotation for the remainder of the season.
As we learn more details of this deal, we will provide further updates here and at @SoxOn35th on social media!
Featured Photo: Giants/Twitter
