The Chicago White Sox have lofty expectations for the 2022 season. Anything less than at least a World Series appearance would be a disappointment after losing to the Houston Astros in the ALDS last season.
While the White Sox are off to a good start here in May, there is still a massive weak link they need to shore up in the back end of their starting rotation. And that weak link is starting pitcher Dallas Keuchel.
Keuchel has been very disappointing for the past calendar year and the White Sox may need to cut ties with him if they don’t want to fall out of the division race.
Keuchel was signed to a 3-year deal worth $55.5 million with a vesting option for a 4th year prior to the 2020 season. He was great in 2020 with a 1.99 ERA but struggled last year with a 5.28 ERA and currently has an 8.40 ERA this year so far. His numbers are not helping the White Sox and they need to find a better option to help them win games.
The #WhiteSox have a Dallas Keuchel problem. The team should DFA him because he’s a sunk cost. It’s the easiest answer. They might actually do it because rostering him along with Velasquez and Cueto on a 26-man will take some gymnastics.
Thankfully, there is a veteran in their minor league system they can call up to take his place, Johnny Cueto.
The 36-year-old righty has a 6.10 ERA in Triple-A Charlotte but has only pitched in 3 games for a total of 10.1 innings. Cueto’s MLB resume is impressive, with 2 All-Star nods and a World Series ring with the Kansas City Royals in 2015. It would be wise for the White Sox to call him up as soon as possible and see if he can provide a jolt to the pitching staff with what he still has left since Keuchel is struggling mightily.
Cueto shouldn’t be relied on to pitch as he did in his prime, but him even pitching at an average level would cement the White Sox as a legitimate World Series favorite with a healthy starting rotation including Lucas Giolito, Dylan Cease, Lance Lynn, and Michael Kopech in addition to Cueto.
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