White Sox Reportedly Acquire Former Cardinals Hurler After Tumultuous Start To Season
The 2023 Major League Baseball Trade Deadline is quickly approaching and some teams already are making moves.
The Chicago White Sox reportedly acquired right-handed pitcher Mike Mayers from the Kansas City Royals on Wednesday in exchange for cash considerations, according to the Chicago Sun-Times' Daryl Van Schouwen.
Mayers was drafted in the third round of the 2013 MLB June Amateur Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. The 31-year-old made his professional debut in the Cardinals organization in 2013 and worked his way up the club's farm system. Mayers made a big league debut with the Cardinals in 2016 and spent four years with the club.
The 31-year-old compiled a 7.03 ERA with a 70-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .316 batting average against, and 1.698 WHIP in 80 2/3 innings across 73 appearances with the Cardinals. St. Louis designated the hurler for assignment in 2019 and he then was claimed by the Los Angeles Angels.
Mayers had the best season of his career in 2020 as a member of the Angels and compiled a 2.10 ERA in 29 appearances. He spent three seasons with the Angels before joining the Royals as a free agent before the 2023 campaign. Mayers struggled in Kansas City and compiled a 6.15 ERA in six appearances before being designated for assignment and eventually traded to Chicago.
The righty could end up playing a solid role with the White Sox moving forward this season as Chicago likely is in line for a firesale. The White Sox more likely than not are entering a rebuild, so there could be plenty of innings to go around. Mayers is a veteran depth piece, but likely won't be much of an impact player with Chicago. Hopefully, he can turn things around this season and thrive in the new environment.
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