Can reliever Gus Varland make a difference for the White Sox after being claimed from the Dodgers?
Amid their first season of rebuilding, it’s evident that the Chicago White Sox need all the assistance they can get, particularly at the major league level, where they’re currently enduring an 18-game losing streak. The recent addition of former Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Gus Varland, who was claimed off waivers and then optioned to the team’s Triple-A affiliate in Charlotte, might offer some help.
While Varland’s major league stats aren’t impressive (a cumulative 5.81 ERA over 26.1 innings with the Milwaukee Brewers last season and the Dodgers this year), he could still be an intriguing addition. The White Sox are in dire need of reinforcement for both the present and the future, and with general manager Chris Getz in his first season, a managerial change from Pedro Grifol may be on the horizon.
After trading away pitchers Erick Fedde, Tanner Banks, and Michael Kopech before the trade deadline, the White Sox are in need of depth at both the major league and Triple-A levels. Varland fits that profile, and given his decent performance in seven major league appearances this season (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 3 K, 1.83 WHIP), it’s likely he won’t stay in Charlotte for long, especially with the White Sox’s 40-man roster currently at 37 players.
Can Gus Varland help White Sox bullpen?
With speculation swirling about who the White Sox might choose as their next manager, the team first needs to endure the remainder of their disastrous 2024 season. Their current 18-game losing streak is no laughing matter, as they’ve faltered in all facets of the game. Turning around the direction of the major league roster should be a top priority for both Getz and Grifol, though it seems unlikely Grifol will be with the team much longer.
Giving players like Varland a chance on the roster could be beneficial moving forward. The former Oakland Athletics draft pick has moved around a bit in his professional career, but he might find a home on the South Side. The right-hander could be in an ideal situation, as the White Sox are in dire need of impact players across their roster.
Moreover, his minor league stats, especially last season with the Dodgers’ Triple-A affiliate Oklahoma City, suggest he could be a difference-maker if given the opportunity. In 2023, he pitched 33.1 innings with a 2.16 ERA and a strikeout rate of 29.3 percent. Those are impressive numbers, and as Varland enters what should be his prime years, he has a real chance to establish a long-term career in the majors if things go his way.
Be the first to comment