MLB Rumors: Mike Clevinger, White Sox Agree to New 1-Year Contract in Free Agency

Mike Clevinger will remain on the South Side.

Clevinger and the Chicago White Sox reportedly have agreed on a new contract, pending a physical, per Robert Murray of FanSided.

Jon Heyman of the New York Post reported it's a one-year deal.

Clevinger became a free agent this winter after declining his half of a $12 million mutual option with the White Sox for 2024.

The 33-year-old was one of the top remaining arms on the market after players like Shohei Ohtani, Yoshinobu Yamamto and Shōta Imanaga landed deals during the offseason.

Clevinger was solid in his first season on the South Side, rebounding after an up-and-down year with the San Diego Padres in 2022. He posted a 3.77 ERA, 1.23 WHIP and 110 strikeouts in 131.1 innings across 24 starts.

Clevinger began his career with the Cleveland Guardians in 2016 and spent four and a half seasons with the franchise before being traded to the Padres during the 2020 season.

The 2022 campaign was perhaps the worst of his career as he posted a 4.33 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 91 strikeouts in 114.1 innings across 23 games (22 starts). While he had an up-and-down year, San Diego still reached the National League Championship Series before falling to the Philadelphia Phillies.

The White Sox are off to an 0-3 start this season and aren't expected to be contenders, so Clevinger likely won't be on a playoff team this time around. Still, the American League Central team at least added a familiar face with a history of some success on the team as it attempts to surprise in 2024.