CHICAGO -- The White Sox strengthened the back end of their starting rotation by agreeing to a one-year, $3 million deal with right-hander Mat Latos, the club announced on Tuesday.If the White Sox get the Latos who pitched from 2010-13 with the Padres and Reds, then they might have done more than just strengthen the fourth or fifth starter's spot. Latos posted a 51-35 record with a 3.27 ERA during that four-year-stretch, making at least 31 starts and pitching at least 184 innings in each of those four seasons. 
"Mat adds another quality veteran arm to our rotation and also increases our overall pitching depth, which always is essential to having a successful season," said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. "While we believe in the futures of several of our young starters, the chance to add a pitcher of Mat's caliber was too good of an opportunity for us to pass up. He has proven over his career that when healthy, he takes the baseball and logs quality innings."Latos has battled through elbow and left knee issues and was limited to 37 starts and 218 2/3 innings over his 2014 and '15 campaigns. Last season, Latos finished with a 4.95 ERA across 24 appearances (21 starts) for the Marlins, Dodgers and Angels. His two games for the Angels stand as his only career American League efforts.For the years and money committed to Latos, though, he appears to be a low-risk, high-reward sort of choice. Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon provide a front three in the rotation that matches up well with most others in baseball. John Danks, in the finale of his five-year, $65 million deal, Erik Johnson and Jacob Turner were in the mix for the final two spots.
"Mat adds another quality veteran arm to our rotation and also increases our overall pitching depth, which always is essential to having a successful season," said Rick Hahn, White Sox senior vice president/general manager. "While we believe in the futures of several of our young starters, the chance to add a pitcher of Mat's caliber was too good of an opportunity for us to pass up. He has proven over his career that when healthy, he takes the baseball and logs quality innings."Latos has battled through elbow and left knee issues and was limited to 37 starts and 218 2/3 innings over his 2014 and '15 campaigns. Last season, Latos finished with a 4.95 ERA across 24 appearances (21 starts) for the Marlins, Dodgers and Angels. His two games for the Angels stand as his only career American League efforts.For the years and money committed to Latos, though, he appears to be a low-risk, high-reward sort of choice. Chris Sale, Jose Quintana and Carlos Rodon provide a front three in the rotation that matches up well with most others in baseball. John Danks, in the finale of his five-year, $65 million deal, Erik Johnson and Jacob Turner were in the mix for the final two spots.
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