Chicago — I made it home from the Winter Meetings in Nashville, Tennessee, even though I lost my way nine times while exploring the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center from Sunday to Wednesday.
Here are some White Sox Winter Meetings tidbits to get you in the spirit of the holidays.
Fedde’s narrative
Erick Fedde had a 5.41 ERA in 102 games for the Nationals from 2017 to 22 (88 starts). Fedde has a 5.64 ERA in 56 games (54 starts) with 222 strikeouts and 106 walks in 260 1/3 innings over his most recent big league seasons, 2021 and 2022.
How, therefore, did the right-hander who was a free agent get signed by the White Sox? One of the main causes is his supremacy in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2023. Over 180 1/3 innings, Fedde recorded a 20-6 record with a 2.00 ERA, 209 strikeouts, and 35 walks in the KBO. However, the White Sox’s pursuit of Fedde extended beyond his performance for the NC Dinos in Korea.
White Sox general manager Chris Getz stated, “There’s some real material differences with his stuff.” “He adjusted his assault strategy, added the sweeper, and improved his feel with his sinker. Additionally, he essentially controlled the KBO. After speaking with batters and league officials, we concluded that he was the most feared pitcher in the division. And the figures support it.
It’s never easy to move to a league where the atmosphere is somewhat similar to Major League Baseball, both in terms of the fans and the pressure, especially if you’re a foreign player. We’re willing to take that chance because he returned here with that degree of skill and confidence, which is different from where it was previously, and we’re excited to give him that runway with the White Sox.
For Fedde, who just finished a career-high number of innings pitched, it’s a runway. Over a two-year period, the transaction is worth $15 million.
“By examining a projection system, we can better determine whether something will translate or not. Does it need to be translated? stated Getz. “And we felt we should go get Erick Fedde because there was enough support there.”
Stay informed.
Dylan Cease’s name appears to have surfaced this past week with the same basic regularity as Shohei Ohtani, Juan Soto, and Yoshinobu Yamamoto—this is an unofficial judgment. So I asked Getz whether he was keeping Cease informed about these trade rumors while he still has two years of control at the top of the White Sox rotation.
Getz has not spoken with Cease, but the right-hander has been in communication with pitching coach Ethan Katz, pitching adviser Brian Bannister’s senior advisor, and the fitness and conditioning department.
“It’s possible that he’s been reading his name in there, and that’s why there may be a slight difference in emotion sometimes,” Getz stated. Although he has been traded in the past, his career is now in a different phase.
“Dylan has truly matured, and he understands the feelings both the organization and I have for him. He’s a big star in our game, and having him has been a genuine pleasure. There’s a good possibility he returns to us, and we would be happy about that as well.
Cease will join a contending team if he is eventually dealt.
“Knowing Dylan Cease, he’s in a pretty good headspace,” Getz remarked.
More is forthcoming.
Naturally, as Getz continues to reorganize the roster, there will be more White Sox movements in the near future. After the work in Nashville, the general manager believes the team is well-positioned to make those decisions.
Getz stated on Wednesday, “I wouldn’t say that we feel like we’re knocking on the door of something.” “But it’s more about gaining a clearer understanding of our situation, whether it is via trading or adding a player through free agency. We have excellent organization. We feel really good about where we’re at thus far, having done a great job this offseason of laying out a plan. Our goal is to maintain the momentum.