White Sox Place Mike Clevinger On Waivers In Bid To Cut Costs

The White Sox have placed starting pitcher Mike Clevinger on waivers, according to Ken Rosenthal of the Athletic. Teams will have 47 hours to claim Clevengiver from the time he was put on waivers. If no team claims him the White Sox can release him or move him back onto the roster.

This type of move is not uncommon. Now that they are out of contention the White Sox are hoping to dump salary. Clevinger signed a one-year $12 million contract this offseason. He makes $8 million on salary and is owed a $4 million buyout if the team doesn’t pick up his $12 million mutual option for the 2024 season. The White Sox would be saving  $5.42 million, which is what is left of Clevinger's guaranteed salary if another team claims him. 

Clevinger may have garnered some suitors with his performance this season. His 3.32 ERA in 18 starts has easily made him the White Sox most effective starter this season. In his last seven starts, he has posted a 2.04 ERA with 37 strikeouts in 39.2 innings and a 1.01 WHIP. This includes a ten-strikeout performance against the Oakland A’s in Clevinger’s last start where he tossed seven innings of one-run ball. 

He also leads the team in wins with a 6-6 record. In 97 2/3 innings of work, Clevinger raised his strikeout rate to 20.8 percent which is up from his 18.8 percent mark a season ago. There are plenty of playoff and fringe postseason teams that would like to bolster the back end of their rotation. 

However, Clevinger doesn't come without risk which is likely why the White Sox were unable to unload him in a trade before the deadline. 

The White Sox signed Clevinger in December. One month later he was accused of domestic violence and child abuse. He was cleared of wrongdoing after an MLB investigation found no clear evidence. There are also injury concerns. The 32-year-old right-hander has missed about six weeks this season due to inflammation in his right biceps. He is also two years removed from Tommy John surgery. 

But considering that Clevinger would be a rental player those concerns probably won’t play much of a factor for a team looking to claim him off waivers. 

If Clevinger goes unclaimed the White Sox could still release Clevinger and let him try to sign with a contender. However, if that happens the White Sox would only be able to subtract the prorated league minimum from the $5.42 million he is owed. 

Otherwise, they could let him slide back into the rotation and help eat innings for a depleted White Sox pitching staff that is limping to the finish line.