Brad Ziegler, Right-Handed Reliever

When planning for this article I thought a starting pitcher would be a good add for the White Sox. The team has Sale, Quintana and Rodon and possibly James Shields and Carson Fulmer in the starting rotation in 2017. But the team could always look to add depth and talent if an injury occurs or if Fulmer isn’t ready/Shields opts out.

But this free agency period is weak in terms of starting pitchers. There are some highlights such as Jeremy Helickson, but no pitchers that the Sox should invest long term in.

So how about the White Sox going a different route with their bullpen?

David Robertson is currently the team’s closer and is signing through 2019. But he has struggled this season carrying a 4.01 ERA and blowing six saves which is actually tied for second most in the AL behind other White Sox’ reliever Nate Jones.

Now the White Sox shouldn’t necesarily take Robertson out of the closer role as he has 29 saves, third most in the AL. But the team should be in a reliever with closing experience who could spell Robertson on occasion.

That reliever should be Brad Ziegler.

Ziegler was the Diamondbacks’ closer before being traded to the Red Sox. This season he has appeared in 50 games and 51 innings. He holds a 3-6 record with a 2.77 ERA and a 43/19 K/BB ratio. He also has 21 saves on the season.

For his career, Ziegler has appeared in 585 games and 580.2 innings. He has a 33-27 record with a 2.50 ERA and a 388/200 K/BB ratio. He has 84 career saves.

Ziegler would be the perfect fit with Chicago as the role he would be playing, is the role he is in with the Red Sox right now.

He was brought into Boston even though the team has an extremely established closer in Craig Kimbrel. Ziegler may not close every night, but he could fill in on Kimbrel off days, or in Boston’s case, when Kimbrel goes down with injury.

That is exactly what he would do with the White Sox. Spell Robertson on his off days and fill in if he goes down with injury.

Having the option to go with one closer or the other provides the White Sox with advanced depth in the back end of their bullpen. That depth is even better due to the types of pitcher Robertson and Ziegler are.

Robertson is an over the top thrower and has standard MLB mechanics. Ziegler on the other hand has an awkward arm slot which could be side armed or submarined.

Batters would be tied in knots having to face Ziegler and then going back to a regular thrower in Robertson.

Adding Ziegler gives the Sox a dynamic 8-9 inning punch and allows the White Sox to give Robertson an extra day off here and there in the offseason.

The White Sox should look into Ziegler and add the wacky submariner to bolster their bullpen and provide an option 1A at closer behind David Robertson.

Agree with my picks, did I miss somebody? Feel free to keep the discussion going on Twitter by tweeting at me or following me @DFappiano14.