The White Sox’s Injury Luck
The White Sox suck. Well, not really, but their injury luck sucks. We haven’t even hit the first game, and already Yoan Moncada, Lance Lynn, Garrett Crochet, and others are already injured. As I mentioned in my article about how the White Sox can succeed in 2022, the Sox were plagued by injuries in 2021. Not only was that reason for their eventual demise in 2021, but it might not get better for 2022.
I know what you’re thinking. You’re thinking that this is supposed to be an article on Johnny Cueto, not the White Sox’s injury luck. And, dear reader, you are partially right. However, the biggest reason for the Sox signing Cueto was just that — their horrendous injury luck.
That in and of itself should tell us something about this move. It’s certainly not an ideal move, as we’ll come back to later. But it’s a necessary move; a move that, as we’ll cover, will eventually end up helping the White Sox.
Johnny Cueto
Johnny Cueto has enjoyed great success in the MLB. He started with Cincinnati, moved to the Royals for half a year to win a World Series, and then has played with the Giants ever since. His run with the Giants was plagued by injuries, which is quite ironic given the fact that the Sox just signed him because of their own injuries.
The last full season that Cueto pitched was 2016 when he made the all-star team due to his 18-5 record and a 2.79 ERA. After 2016, he’s fallen off a great deal, compiling a 4.38 ERA and a 4.47 FIP through 5 injury plagued years.
As I touched on earlier, this isn’t an ideal move for the Sox. But Cueto is a solid pitcher; he’s not an ace anymore but he can get the job done. Plus, the Sox nabbed him on a minor league deal. He will almost certainly be called up this year as well, and even if he doesn’t, he’s insurance for the White Sox.
All in all, the White Sox made a good move.
Image Credit: @JohnnyCueto Twitter
