3 White Sox free agents who won’t be back next season and why
By Tim Boyle
2. White Sox didn’t get what they needed from Vince Velasquez
Even more of a depth piece than Cueto is pitcher Vince Velasquez. The hype was always there for him. From his early days with the Houston Astros to the years he spent with the Philadelphia Phillies, there were often signs that Velasquez might have the right stuff to be a stud in the major leagues.
Instead, he has been a guy that can dominate in about one out of every four starts. In the other three, he looks better suited for the bullpen or maybe a minor league gig.
Velasquez has been just as unproductive for the White Sox this year as he has flipped between the rotation and bullpen. It’s about time someone just moves him to a relief role permanently. An effective strikeout artist as a starter, one has to wonder if his shortcomings can be masked in a relief role.
Velasquez is young enought for another for a team to consider. At the very least, clubs will come calling for the purpose of giving him their long man job out of the bullpen.
Pitchers with his skills often get second and third chances. He should be willing to take on any role teams will offer him next season. The White Sox, after witnessing what he can and cannot do up close, should move on swiftly.