Chicago White Sox agree to deal with Mat Latos

Latos is expected to compete for a starting spot in the White Sox rotation. Once the move to sign Latos becomes official, the 40-man roster of the White Sox will be full.

According to multiple reports, the White Sox have inked starter Mat Latos to a contract while the Mariners have announced the signing of reliever Joel Peralta.

Although hidden behind the 4.48 ERA with the Marlins and a 6.66 ERA with the Dodgers, Latos put up an OK 3.72 FIP between his stops and picked up 1.5 fWAR in 116⅓ innings. Before last season Latos had 90 of fluid drained out of his knee and affected his play. He made his major league debut with the Padres in 2009 and is 64-55 with a 3.51 ERA in seven big league seasons. Latos didn’t even come close to approving.

Latos has never been an elite pitcher, but was an inning-eater during his time with the Reds. Latos’ 2014 campaign started late because of a knee surgery and ended early due to a bone bruise on his elbow. He was part of a multi-player trade right before the trade deadline to the Los Angeles Dodgers where he only made five starts before being designated for assignment.

But Latos, an 11th-round pick by San Diego in the 2006 amateur draft, just turned 28 in December, making it a low-risk move for Chicago.

While he may not have gotten the hitter that he desired so far for the White Sox, he appears to have nabbed a starting pitcher on Tuesday.

Jerry Crasnick of ESPN.com first reported the agreement, while Dan Hayes of Comcast SportsNet Chicago confirmed the deal, noting it was for one year and $3 million.

Latos gives the White Sox depth at a position at which they were previously thin. Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon form a potentially formidable front three, with John Danks, Erik Johnson, Jacob Turner and Latos in the mix for the remaining slots.

ZiPS projects Latos will produce 1.0 WAR this season.