Chicago White Sox still in need of a starting pitcher
Remember December?
And, this doesn't rhyme quite as well, but remember January?
For the Chicago White Sox, and their skeptical fan base, it was a cold, dark time. It was a stretch that saw the Sox linked to every and any free agent, particularly Yoenis Cespedes, Alex Gordon and Justin Upton.
And, if you remember, the White Sox failed to sign any of the premier free-agent outfielders.
Let's fast forward.
Given up for dead after failing to sign Cespedes, Gordon or Upton, the Sox politely reminded critics about key additions such as Todd Frazier and Brett Lawrie, who were acquired in December trades.
And the White Sox felt good about flushing out old catchers Tyler Flowers and Geovany Soto for newcomers Dioner Navarro and Alex Avila.
Content with making ripples instead of splashes, the Sox continued to reshape the roster at cut-rate costs.
They signed starting pitcher Mat Latos a week before spring training. They signed shortstop Jimmy Rollins a week into camp. And they signed center fielder Austin Jackson a week after Rollins.
Far from satisfied with the late flurry of roster additions, the White Sox signed current No. 5 starter Miguel Gonzalez on April 4, right before opening the regular season at Oakland.
Let's stop here.
"We've talked about it a few times, wanting to make sure we have enough depth and enough reinforcements in various positions," Hahn said after Gonzalez agreed to a one-year deal with a base salary of $507,500. "And, certainly, starting pitching is of the utmost priority in terms of having that depth."
Is it ever.
As they return home Tuesday night to open a 10-game homestand against the Houston Astros, the White Sox are riding high atop the AL Central at 24-14.
The record is impressive on two counts: the Sox led the second-place Cleveland Indians by 5 games heading into Monday and they played the most road games (23) in the majors.
But there are some trouble spots popping up with this club, which you knew were coming.
The bullpen took a big step back during a 2-4 road trip to Texas and New York, giving up 14 earned runs in 14⅓ innings over the last five games.
The starting rotation has been the bigger concern.
We're not talking about ace Chris Sale, who leads the AL with 8 wins and ranks third with a 1.67 ERA. And we're not talking about No. 2 starter Jose Quintana, who is 5-2 while ranking second with a 1.54 ERA.
We're not even talking about Carlos Rodon, who is 1-4 with a 4.99 ERA. Just 7 starts into his first full major-league season, let's withhold judgment for now on the 23-year-old lefty.
Believe it or not, Latos is worrisome to the Sox despite having a 5-0 record. The reclamation project also has a solid 3.40 ERA, but Latos has not pitched well in his last 3 starts while allowing 13 earned runs on 25 hits and 8 walks in 15⅓ innings.
As for Gonzalez - who replaced Erik Johnson, who replaced John Danks - he has not been sharp in 3 starts with the White Sox, giving up 9 runs on 19 hits and 10 walks in 15⅔ innings.
The White Sox are hoping Latos can pull it back together, but Gonzalez is looking like a lost cause.
Is it time to go outside and sign another player looking for another chance?
Is it time to bring in another starting pitcher?
The Sox were one of three teams rumored to be finalists for Tim Lincecum, who won back-to-back National League Cy Young Awards in 2008-09 with the San Francisco Giants before steadily fading due to hip issues.
White Sox vice president Kenny Williams attended Lincecum's May 6 showcase in Scottsdale, Arizona, and the right-hander looked like he might be a good fit.
On Monday, Lincecum said no to the Sox and said no to a return to San Francisco, reportedly signing a one-year contract with the Los Angeles Angels.
So where does that leave the White Sox?
The best-case scenario is Gonzalez rediscovering some of the magic that made him a successful starting pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles from 2012-14.
Class AAA Charlotte starters Johnson, Jacob Turner and Chris Volstad are fallback options, but nothing to get overly excited about.
Tyler Danish and Carson Fulmer are worth keeping an eye on at AA Birmingham, but neither prospect is close to being major-league ready.
Lincecum is off the board, so don't be surprised if the Sox try to trade for a starter such as Milwaukee's Jimmy Nelson, Atlanta's Julio Teheran or possibly Oakland's Sonny Gray.
• The White Sox on Monday acquired outfielder Jason Bourgeois from the Arizona Diamondbacks for cash. He will report to Triple-A Charlotte.
White Sox vs. Houston Astros at U.S. Cellular Field
TV: WPWR Tuesday; Comcast SportsNet Wednesday and Thursday
Radio: WLS 890-AM
Pitching matchups: The White Sox's Carlos Rodon (1-4) vs. Dallas Keuchel (2-5) Tuesday; Mat Latos (5-0) vs. Doug Fister (3-3) Wednesday; Chris Sale (8-0) vs. Mike Fiers (3-1) Thursday. All games 7:10 p.m.
At a glance: The White Sox return home after going 2-4 on a road trip to Texas and New York. The Sox have won seven of their last nine at the Cell. The White Sox were 5-1 vs. Houston last season. In his last 5 starts, Rodon is 0-3 with a 6.75 ERA. The Sox lead the American League with a 3.17 ERA; the Astros are 13th at 4.67. Houston second baseman Jose Altuve leads the AL with 17 doubles, 13 stolen bases and a .437 on-base percentage to go with a .345 batting average. Keuchel, last season's Cy Young winner, is 0-4 in his last 5 starts while allowing 26 earned runs in 29⅓ innings. A popular preseason pick to make the playoffs, the Astros (15-24) are last in the AL West and 5-14 on the road.
Next: Kansas City Royals at U.S. Cellular Field, Friday-Sunday
- Scot Gregor