Lance Lynn will likely be out until at least mid-May. The big right-hander walked gingerly off the mound during a Cactus League appearance on Saturday. It was revealed that he has a slight tear in the tendon near his knee. He won’t be back throwing for another four weeks. After that, he will need to be built back up to full strength before he returns.
This news comes days after it was announced that Garrett Crochet will likely undergo season-ending Tommy John surgery. The White Sox rotation was already a question mark heading into the season. They lost Carlos Rodon to free agency and are banking on an unproven Michael Kopech. The White Sox also are rolling the dice with Dallas Keuchel. Given how inconsistent he has been the past two seasons this is a big gamble. Now that Lance Lynn is out, Rick Hahn’s lack of free agency moves could prove to be costly.
Sean Manea is a name that was floated around when conversations around potential depth for the White Sox starting rotation popped up.The fit made perfect sense. Manaea has been an effective starter since getting called up in 2016. In 737 innings he owns a career ERA of 3.86.
With only one year remaining on his contract, Manaea would have served as a one-year rental who took the pressure off of Micheal Kopech during his first year in the White Sox rotation.
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The 30-year old has also posted a 24.8% strikeout rate, 5.2% walk rate, and 43.8% ground ball rate. The key to a pitcher’s success at Guaranteed Rate Field is the ability to keep the ball on the ground. Manea is also coming off a productive season that saw him accumulate 194 strikeouts, a 1,23 WHIP, and a 3.91 ERA.
Unfortunately for the White Sox the Athletics ended up trading him to the San Diego Padres in exchange for pitching prospect Adrian Martinez and minor league infielder Euribiel Angeles.
Adding insult to injury Ken Rosenthal of The Athletic reported that the Chicago White Sox were also in on Manaea but the Padres had more to offer.
Some leftovers from Manaea trade, per sources: CWS also were on Manaea. SD had more to offer, and OAK (and scouts) high on offensive potential of IF Euribiel Angeles. SD still wants to add RHH, maybe bullpen arm. A trade for PIT’s Reynolds (switch-hitter) remains a longshot.
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) April 3, 2022
This is why Rick Hahn should have spent money to address pitching. The White Sox have the 30th ranked farm system in the MLB. It makes no sense for them to rely on that to net difference-making players. Now it looks like they have paid the price.
