FEDDE, SOROKA TOP CANDIDATES FOR OPENING DAY
GLENDALE, Ariz. — With Dylan Cease’s departure, Erick Fedde and Michael Soroka are alternatives 1 and 2 to be the White Sox’ Opening Day starter.
Fedde was lined up to pitch the second game and Soroka the third. Soroka started an opener with the Braves in 2020 and has been very good this spring.
“We haven’t talked about it yet,” Fedde said when asked about the possibility of facing the Tigers on March 28 at Guaranteed Rate Field, only two seasons removed from struggling with the Nationals. “Obviously, it’s something that’s very possible. Of course, I would be honored to do it and something I would be very fired up for.”
Fedde was signed to a two-year, $15 million deal after rediscovering himself in the Korean Baseball Organization, where he was named Most Valuable Player. Manager Pedro Grifol named Cease to start the opener in January but is holding off now that Cease is a Padre.
Fedde would embrace the challenge. “You’re welcoming yourself to a new fan base and coming back to the big leagues after a while away,” he said. “There would be some butterflies and excitement. The beautiful thing about Opening Day is all 30 teams have hope.”
“If I got that, it would be a great honor, but it’s not what I’m here focusing to do,” Soroka said. “I’m focusing on the little things that will make me a better pitcher over 30, 32 starts.”
Fedde, Soroka, Garrett Crochet and
Chris Flexen head the list of rotation pieces. Also in the mix: a potential acquisition before the season starts, right-hander Nick Nastrini, who is starting Sunday against the Athletics, and newly acquired righty Drew Thorpe.
“There’s a ton of quality, guys who have shown success in other places,” Fedde said. “It’s a lot of guys who maybe have been pushed aside, and we all have a little chip on our shoulder. There are tons of guys that have looked great. “We understand each other, know what it feels like.”
Thorpe ‘ready’
Thorpe, the No. 85-ranked prospect acquired in the Cease trade, was just dealt from the Yankees for Juan Soto.
“Obviously, it sucks being traded twice in three months, but those are big-name players,” Thorpe said. “Juan Soto is one of the best players in the game, and Dylan Cease was a Cy Young runner-up. They’re really big names, so that’s super-exciting being traded for them, knowing that you’re wanted by other clubs.”
Thorpe also said he was excited about the deal and the opportunity with the Sox.
Thorpe’s fastball is in the low 90s, but his changeup is considered “elite,” general manager Chris Getz said, and he’s developing his sweeper and cutter.
“I feel like I’m there; I feel like I’m ready” for the major leagues, said Thorpe, who earned pitching prospect of the year honors splitting time between the Yankees’ High-A and DoubleA clubs last season and was viewed as a possibility for the Padres’ rotation in 2024. “Had a really good offseason, had a good spring so far. I think I’m ready to go.”
WILSON GETS ACCLIMATED
Steve Wilson, the major-leaguer acquired in the five-player Cease deal, gives Grifol an immediate option in high-leverage relief innings. Wilson made his first appearance Friday against the Cubs.
“I really don’t know what the construction of the bullpen is yet; I don’t even know which guys are in the bullpen,” Wilson said. “I’m still getting to know everybody. But hopefully [I’ll be] getting some leverage roles and helping the team win ballgames.”