The Chicago White Sox are still looking to add to their pitching depth, and they appear to have some interest in veteran starting pitcher Jakob Junis.
The Chicago White Sox have been busy the past few days with capturing headlines with making some minor moves on both the trade market as well as signing a semi-big named free agent. The Chicago White Sox kicked things off with acquiring left-handed starting pitcher Tyler Gilbert in a trade with the Philadelphia Phillies which sent them 23-year-old right-handed reliever Aaron Combs. They then went out and signed veteran utility-man Josh Rojas to a one-year deal to compete for their starting third base job. The White Sox now appear to be interesting in signing an intriguing pitcher in right-hander Jakob Junis according to James Fox of FutureSox.
The career of Jakob Junis
Jakob Junis would be considered in the game of baseball a journeyman playing for four different teams in his short eight-year career playing for the Kansas City Royals, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, and the Milwaukee Brewers. Having both started and being used as a reliever in his career Junis has been a solid Major League pitcher overall, accumulating a record of 42-45 with a career ERA of 4.48 in 780.1 career innings.
In 2024 Jakob Junis was used primarily as a reliever for both the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers with making a total of just six starts. Signing a free agent deal with the Milwaukee Brewers in February of last year and then was subsequently traded along with outfielder Joey Wiemer and cash to the Cincinnati Red in exchange for starting pitcher Frankie Montas. For both the Cincinnati Reds and Milwaukee Brewers last season Junis, whether it came as a starter or in relief was exceptional having a record of 4-0 with an ERA of 2.69, with 51 strikeouts, a .851 WHIP, in 67 innings pitched.
The Chicago White Sox would be getting a valuable player in Jakob Junis
For the Chicago White Sox signing the 32-year-old Jakob Junis would prove to be a savvy signing for General Manager Christopher Getz to make. With Junis having experience as both a starter and reliever and having success in both roles signing Junis would give the Chicago White Sox a legit trade chip for next year’s deadline. The best quality that Junis has in his arsenal is the ability to throw strikes, with ranking in the 99th percentile for walk percentage with 3.2. Having a five-pitch mix in his arsenal, but mainly being a sinker/slider guy, Junis also has a four-seam fastball, a changeup, and a cutter at his disposal to get opposing hitters out.
The White Sox still do currently have an open position in the starting rotation with Jonathon Cannon, Sean Burke, Bryse Wilson, and Drew Thorpe all having the 1-4 spots already locked in. With the recent acquisition of Tyler Gilbert, he will figure to be the most likely candidate the fifth spot in the White Sox rotation being they currently do not have a lefty option there.
However, if the Junis were to lose out on a bid for the starting rotation, having him as a go to option in the bullpen for high-leverage moments given he’s had success in those moments. With the White Sox bullpen being relatively young and somewhat inexperience having Jakob Junis’s experience there to help mentor some of the young arms is an invaluable asset.
With nothing concrete and no actual reports emerging other than the Chicago White Sox just showing their “interest” in Jakob Junis. Though this is just speculation, if these rumors became credible and the Chicago White Sox indeed land Jakob Junis in a free agent deal, that that wouldn’t a bad deal for them to make.
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