Sox strike deal with ex-Nats pitcher Fedde
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — The White Sox reached an agreement with right-hander Erick Fedde on a two-year, $15 million deal Tuesday, providing a needed arm for their thin starting rotation.
The deal, which is pending a physical, has not been announced.
Fedde, 30, was 20-6 with a 2.00 ERA for the NC Dinos of the Korean Baseball Organization in 2023. He was named the MVP of the league.
The Sox and Mets were reportedly in competition for Fedde, who posted a
5.81 ERA in 27 starts and 127 innings for the Nationals in 2022.
In 29 appearances (27 starts) in 2021, he had a 5.47 ERA. In 102 career games spanning six seasons with the Nationals, mostly as a starter, he has a 5.41 ERA.
The Nationals, who selected Fedde in the first round of the draft in 2014, didn’t tender him a contract after the 2022 season before he signed a $1 million deal with the Dinos.
‘‘We’re looking to add multiple arms to our rotation, and certainly you never feel you have enough depth when it comes to starting pitching,’’ general manager Chris Getz said Tuesday.
‘‘You’re weighing pitchers that have options to help with that depth. That is a high priority for us.’’
The Royals, Cardinals, Pirates, Padres and Athletics were also interested in Fedde after he tweaked his pitching arsenal in Korea and posted a 70% ground-ball rate.
The Sox are known to be discussing trading ace Dylan Cease. Beyond him, they have Michael Kopech, Touki Toussaint and Jesse Scholtens who started games last season.
Hard-luck Sox to draft No. 5
The Sox had the fourth-worst record in the majors in 2023, but they will get the fifth pick in the draft.
The draft lottery dealt them that blow at the winter meetings. The American League Central rival Guardians, who had a 2% chance to land the No. 1 pick, defied the odds to win the lottery. The Sox had a 14.7% chance at the top pick.
Teams drafting in the top six in 2024 can’t be in the lottery next year and can’t pick higher than 10th in 2025.
Goal for Santos: Opening Day
Right-hander Gregory Santos, who emerged as a first-time closer but finished last season on the injured list with inflammation in his right elbow, has begun a throwing program in Arizona.
‘‘He’s doing really well,’’ Getz said. ‘‘Feedback’s been really strong.’’
Getz said the Sox will be ‘‘measured’’ in bringing Santos, 24, along.
‘‘It’s a little early to know how we’ll handle him in spring training,’’ Getz said. ‘‘The goal is certainly for him to be on the Opening Day roster. That’s the expectation right now.’’
Right field
Oscar Colas will open next season at Triple-A Charlotte, and while first baseman Gavin Sheets ‘‘looks to be capable’’ in right field, ‘‘it doesn’t mean that we’re not going to go out there and find ways to improve our defense as a whole,’’ Getz said.
Center fielder Luis Robert Jr., a Gold Glove winner as a rookie in 2020, and left fielder Andrew Benintendi are set, Getz said, but ‘‘we think we can get even better out there. Just to find a team of outfielders is something we’re set out to do.’’