White Sox Re-Sign Mike Clevinger: What to Make of Move

The White Sox started the 2024 campaign 0-4 after their loss on April 1 but Chicago fans will have a familiar face coming back to stabilize their rotation. Mike Clevinger will reportedly re-sign with the White Sox on a one-year deal after the 33-year-old failed to find a team before Opening Day.

A Look at Clevinger

White Sox pitcher Mike Clevinger has had a sorted history, given his unspectacular numbers with the Padres in 2022 and alleged “emotional abuse” towards the mother of his daughter.

The White Sox signed Clevinger in the winter of 2022 and the 33-year-old proved to be an asset in Chicago last season. Clevinger’s 118 ERA+ was the best among White Sox starters last season and his K% of 20.0% was a slight improvement from his 2022 rate of 18.8%

Clevinger won’t overwhelm hitters with his four-seamer, a pitch that plays up thanks to above-average extension and sat in the 93-95 MPH range. It also had a higher mean velocity (94.3) in 2023 than in 2022 (93.6).

Mike Clevinger whiff 2023 — Clevinger’s fastball with good carry and increased velocity was key to his success last season.

Given that jump, as well as the fact that his heater has fine IVB (17.4” in 2023), it’s not a shock to see that he used it about 11% more last season.

That fastball sets up his changeup, which he used more last season, and a sharp slider that was his main secondary option.

Like Michael Lorenzen, Clevinger — a starter with an inconsistent track record over the years — found himself on the market throughout the entire winter and the start of 2024.

Per the New York Post, Mike Clevinger will re-join the White Sox on a one-year deal.

Analysis

And, it’s not hard to see how the White Sox — who have a very different-looking rotation compared to a year ago — will align their rotation once Clevinger is ready, given that the Sox have just four regular starters on their current roster.

Garrett Crochet gave the White Sox quality innings on Opening Day, while Erick Fedde struck out seven Tigers in his first 2024 start. Those two are locks to stick, while Michael Soroka should get some rope thanks to his pedigree.

Those three plus Chris Flexen make just four, though, so Clevinger will act as a short-term option while the Sox wait for prospects like Jake Eder and Drew Thorpe to be MLB-ready.