The Chicago White Sox signed Aaron Bummer to a five-year, $16MM contract extension, tweets USA Today’s Bob Nightengale. The deal also includes two option years that could raise the overall value to $29.5MM, per Nightengale. Nightengale notes that it’s the “largest extension given to a non-closer who has yet to qualify for salary arbitration in #MLB history.” Bummer is represented by O’Connell Sports Management.
Bummer, 26, evolved into a reliable lefty out of the pen for the ChiSox last season, and he’s now set to burn worms on the Southside through the 2026 campaign. Bummer will make $1MM this season, $2MM in 2021, $2.5MM in 2022, $3.75MM in 2023, and $5.5MM in 2024. The option years are for $7.25MM and $7.5MM, respectively, with $1.25MM buyouts, per MLB.com’s Scott Merkin. The 2026 option could escalate to $9MM with a second- or third-place finish in the AL Reliever of the Year voting, or $10MM if he wins the award, according to The Athletic’s James Fegan.
The White Sox are getting one of the game’s premier groundball artists at rates that carry minimal risk. The investment signals both their confidence in Bummer, and their continued commitment to longevity for the incoming core. Bummer was among the best in the game at limiting barrels last season (2.3% barrel%) and well as opponents’ expected slugging percentage (.281 xSLG). Bummer’s sinker drives his arsenal, and it jumped in velocity last year to an average of 95.6 mph. In 58 games out of the pen last season, the southpaw produced a 72.1 GB%, ranking behind only the Yankees’ Zack Britton in that regard.
Big picture, Bummer joins Luis Robert and Eloy Jimenez as White Sox to have been extended through 2026 (including option years). The ChiSox now have a long-term piece in their bullpen to add some stability to that area of the club. In an era of flame-throwing strikeout artists, Bummer also brings a different approach. Should he continue to pitch as he did last season (2.13 ERA/3.41 FIP), the Sox will happily charge him with care of their late innings.
Tyson’s Pet Tiger
Bummer
jawinks
Bummer
jr.white
Hardly know her
dynasty in boston
Winner
parx
Bummer
WarrenSpahn
Bummer…
Vladguerrerojr20
Poop shoot
Manfredsajoke
Remmub!
Bill the Cat
None of you guys are funny or original.
DockEllisDee
you tell em Bill!!
Keithyim
That’s a bummer dude
MrAngelFan
Hard to get excited about a Bummer signing.
richard dangler
Great team deal.
cubsnomore
If he keeps pitching like 2019 it’s a great deal.
jkim319
Brilliant move by Hahn (for the Sox) and a ‘wise’ move by Aaron (for he and his family)..
thorshair
Sounds like a bummer
keysox
Guy is a stud.
WhiteSox4ever
It’s time for Hahn to extend Moncada….
Goku the Knowledgable One
Pitt football had a kicker named Bluitt .. good thing he was actually pretty good
dynamite drop in monty
I went to high school w a kid with the last name Misser. He kicked for the football team.
Strike Four
There’s a guy running for President literally named P.P. Butt
Fuck Me Bitch
You should at least have to be 8 years old to post.
Oxford Karma
Josh outman vs Grant Balfour
KermitJagger
And they currently have a QB named Pickett.
ChiSox_Fan
He tried out for the Bears for 2019 season and was cut.
So can’t be any good.
He “Bluitt”!!
KermitJagger
Actually his name is Blewitt… Even better
PapiElf
That’s a real bummer
Bill the Cat
Not funny or original.
dynamite drop in monty
Anytime you need a cigarette this guy always hooks you up.
Strike Four
lol, no you are the bummer in that scenario
dynamite drop in monty
Oh yeah lol
BobSacamano
It’s exciting to see how aggressive Hann is right now. I would love to see Puig on this team.
S.S.D.Y.
No! Puig is a cancer!
titanic struggle
No…he’s not. Loved him in Cincy
BobSacamano
Fun fact, Puig is actually a Sagittarius. So, maybe we can stop with that?
IronBallsMcGinty
I think Abreu would keep Puigs antics in check if he were to play with the Sox.
ASapsFables
Reports suggest that Yasiel Puig has also been ‘vetted’ positively by new White Sox catcher Yasmani Grandal who was his former Dodger teammate from 2015-2018. Abreu and Grandal are also fellow native Cubans who could each provide a veteran ‘big brother’ type influence on the tempestuous Puig who also happens to be an extremely gifted athlete with some untapped elite baseball skills.
The White Sox have expressed interest in trading for Puig in the past, Acquiring him would be easier now that his is a free agent, likely one that will come at a huge bargain compared to what he was seeking earlier this offseason as the premier RF available on the open market. The White Sox could be Puig’s ideal destination with with two other Cuban nationals also figuring as key players in their 2020 lineup, Yoan Moncada and Luis Robert.
The latest rumor has the White Sox and Rockies as potential landing spots for Puig, per Hector Gomez of Deportivo Z 101. My guess is that Puig will wait a little while longer before signing his FA contract. With the exhibition season now underway an injury to a starting outfielder or DH could pave the way for some increased interest in Puig who has generally kept himself in great physical shape throughout his MLB career.
The White Sox are a team that hasn’t been free from some injury concerns of their own in the recent past including some lengthy IL stints from Tim Anderson, Eloy Jimenez and Moncada last season. Newly acquired RF Nomar Mazara has had his own health issues with the Rangers during his young MLB career while veteran DH Edwin Encarnacion has also spent some time on the injured list and isn’t getting any younger. Elite CF prospect Robert also had his share of injuries in his first pro season stateside in 2018 before taking off las year with a fully healthy campaign. Puig would be a nice insurance policy for the White Sox at the right price and would also be a defensive upgrade in RF with his cannon arm.
Idioms for Idiots
@AaronSapoznik
First, nice write-up on this, which is normal for you.
It looks as if Good Ole Kenny has squashed that rumor, according to CSN Chicago website. Following from the article written by Chuck Garfien today (Feb 22) at 11:27 am:
You can put to bed the rumors about free agent outfielder Yasiel Puig possibly signing with the White Sox. It’s not happening.
The two sides did get together during the MLB Winter Meetings in December. Kenny Williams, Rick Hahn and Rick Renteria met with Puig for about 90 minutes to discuss the possibility of the 29-year-old joining the White Sox as their everyday right fielder.
But instead, the White Sox chose to take a different route. That same week, they acquired Nomar Mazara from the Texas Rangers for minor league outfielder Steele Walker, ending any chance of Puig coming to the South Side.
“After our meeting we came away big Yasiel Puig fans, but he wasn’t the right fit for us then and he isn’t right now,” Williams said.
ASapsFables
Thanks for the kind words! Like most White Sox fans, I have been all over Twitter and continue to read any blog or article concerning MLB, especially as it relates to the Chicago teams. I have seen reports pertaining to your remarks as well. I don’t anticipate Puig signing a contract with the White Sox or any other team in the immediate future. As I stated before, it behooves Puig to bide his time until a better situation opens up for him as spring training progresses. At some point before opening day he will have to decide on his next destination.
A betting man would take the field over any one individual team but the White Sox still make more sense than most for all the reasons I suggested. Back in December, it’s safe to assume that Puig and his representatives had a bigger contract in mind in terms of both dollars and years as the premier free agent RF available. At this juncture, it’s clear that he will have to settle for much less on both counts. We’ll see how it all plays out in the coming days and weeks but I wouldn’t discount Puig ultimately becoming a White Sox in 2020, especially so if they experience an injury to RF Nomar Mazara, LF Eloy Jimenez or DH Edwin Encarnacion.
Idioms for Idiots
@AaronSapoznik
Good points. Just because there’s not a pressing need for Puig now doesn’t mean there won’t be one soon. As much as I like ST (because warmer weather and the regular season are near), whenever I think of ST, the image of Ventura’s gruesome injury flashes before my eyes. That’s my biggest hope above everything else for ST–stay healthy.
MadSkillsUniversity
LOL, Yep, or upset him big time.
nelliefox2
Aaron, if I ever win the lotto you will be my GM !
Do you think Abrue plus other Cubans on the Sox were consulted re Puig?
After the Sox management met with Puig what is your take on why they deferred?
Money, attitude, length of contract, platooning or ??
I always enjoy your well researched comments.
Go Sox
ASapsFables
The White Sox front office has never been bashful about consulting their veteran players when it comes to future acquisitions. They have utilized them frequently as recruiters when it comes to free agents.
This was especially so with their Cuban players. When the White Sox were courting Jose Abreu as an international FA back in 2013, fellow Cubans Alexei Ramirez and Dayan Viciedo were a big part of the process. Abreu returned the favor along with Yoan Moncada when the White Sox pursued Luis Robert as an international FA back in 2016.
As for Yasiel Puig, I’ve read reports where both Abreu and Yasmani Grandal were each consulted about the tempestuous slugger. Reportedly, they each vetted Puig in a positive fashion. Grandal’s input was particularly noteworthy since he was a teammate of Puig with the Dodgers for 4 seasons.
According to Kenny Williams, the December meeting with Puig was also a positive one. My take on why the front office decided to pursue a trade for Nomar Mazara was twofold: Puig was looking for a longer term contract as the premium RF free agent on the market at that time. Additionally, one of the White Sox priorities coming into the offseason was to add a left-handed power bat to balance off a lineup that leaned heavily right-handed. Mazara came fairly cheaply to the White Sox in a trade for OF prospect Steele Walker and his salary as a player with two more years of arbitration eligibility was considerably less than what Puig was looking for. Mazara also fit the bill as that left-handed slugger they were targeting.
Strike Four
Puig is NOT a cancer, YOU are a cancer…to any Puig-related post on here!
Puig is twice as good as Mazara.
DrDan75
There’s a reason that Puig is still unsigned, you know.
dynamite drop in monty
Sure is. And it’s institutional racism.
Manfredsajoke
Monty… How is it racism Puig hasn’t signed? Half the roster of any MLB club is of different skin color than white. The reason Puig is unsigned is because of his bizarre behaviors and his willingness to throw his bodybuilder body into the front of fights he didn’t even start.
RunDMC
Because there’s so few talented, charismatic hispanic White Sox players.
atlas bunts
Yeah…. ok
Same w/ Antonio Brown?
Strike Four
@Manfredisajoke – you listed exactly real world examples and a lot of media narratives, therefore this take is cold, stale and worthless.
Puig wants to get paid too, yknow? That’s why he’s unsigned, he probably wants 4/80 or 5/100 or something.
dynasty in boston
@ strike 4: you can take the knee pads off now, dude.
Fuck Me Bitch
Oh just stop it. 30% of MLB players are from outside the US.
Manfredsajoke
Ballfour. Nobody is paying Puig 20 million a year.
Rallyshirt
Why scared of Puig? So sad.
SalaryCapMyth
Racism? Do you watch baseball at all? There is TONS of diversity in the game. Baseball has real issues. You don’t have to make new ones.
MadSkillsUniversity
I agree Bob, Team-Hahn is killing it right now. That said, the Sox have the perfect dual in Engel and Mazara, even if they keep doing what they are doing. Look at their splits, and you will see what I mean. In 2019, Mazara was .220 /.646 vs lefties but .288/844 vs righties. Conversely, Engel was .201/599 vs Righties but .313/841 vs Lefties. That combo makes all the sense in the world, especially right now. What do you guys think? I just don’t see a-bats or room for Puig or his personality. LOL Go Sox!
oldmansteve
This guy’s a real bummer to hit against
ChiSoxCity
Awesome!
Ogermc
OMG, a white Sox article!!! Oh Man U must be excited!!! Talk about an amazing day, huh! But you’re def missed over with the real Chicago team, the one with more than 1000 fans, the one that routinely makes the playoffs.
scurvyrickets
AwESoME lolololo
davidk1979
Sign Lugo to this deal , Mets
Keithyim
Riiiight. Lugo is gonna get paid when the time comes. Some team will give him closer money
DarkSide830
huh
james5150
That’s what she says
bravesfan
1 good year and he gets himself a healthy extension. Good for him for capitalizing on it, odd decision for the white Sox. Especially as a bullpen arm. His history doesn’t exactly suggest he’ll be able to maintain.
Kayrall
He’s had 2 good years in a row.
Mrtwotone
Even if he is just mediocre and gets some ground ball outs its worth it. He is a good type of player to have now that you have to face 3 batters. Personally I believe that there is some upside left in him as well. It really is a cheap contract and even if he doesn’t repeat 2019 numbers he is still a useful reliever. Great deal for both sides, Sox lock up a good young hard throwing lefty with upside and Bummer gets some financial security
Priggs89
He had a 2.4 FIP in 2018… He’s good, he’s a lefty, and he’s locked in for ~$3M/yr over the next 5 years. I don’t see how this is an “odd decision” at all.
bravesfan
Well, bullpen arms are like the stock market… so I’m not a big believer in locking those guys up long term anyways. Even for the braves and even at reasonable contracts cause he can be a huge bust … but he had 1 really good year, 2018 was fine when you dig into it, but it was not something crazy good. I mean, if we all cherry pick stats then everyone in the league is good. I do like FIP, and I’m a big believer in many moneyball principles …. but the gave up a lot of hits in 2018… I get fielders play a role in that, but gez that’s was some rough #’s for such a small sample size. Again, odd decision not a brutally bad decision by the Sox
RunDMC
This is not a lot of money for a team that is offering some of the largest contracts in the game (Machado). Bullpen is like the stock market, but consistent arms get pricey and if his strikeouts go up along with a robust ERA, he’d stand to take significant arbitration bumps that it’s worth the little risk – even if the LOOGY becomes a thing of the past with the 3-batter rule now.
wvredsfan
great deal for the White Soxs & for Bummer…
jdgoat
Definitely risky on the teams part
Strike Four
LOL how is it “risky”?
Jeez, at some point ALL multi-year deals are going to get frowned on by idiots in the comments sections
jdgoat
Relievers are volatile. “Idiots” lol
ChiSoxCity
“cvbs relievers are volatile.”
Fixed it.
John Kappel
Cubs…. I fixed your’s for you…….
Ogermc
Just cone out and admit you actually like the Cubs…I know u love your fireworks on Friday’s and your $2 tickets and all.
jdgoat
Damn man how insecure are you about the Cubs? I’m not a Cubs fan and you act like a troll about them. And then you say you don’t hate them? Ya, sure. Keep clowning yourself CHIsoxcity, looks real great on ya.
BeeVeeTee
This is a good deal for both sides! If anyone thinks different please elaborate your thoughts rather than just saying it is a terrible deal.
WhiteSoxWinner
They hate us cuz they ain’t us
BeeVeeTee
The White Sox are very known for giving guys these team friendly deals when they are hitting their primes rather than paying them at the end of their primes.
dynamite drop in monty
Become vengeance, David.
Rallyshirt
Bee, this is very team friendly. Bummer seems to say I’m here to stay or a value tradeable asset if necessary. I think Bummer could’ve made more AAV for less years, but this is great for the organization too.
maximumvelocity
Because it’s unnecessary.
Bummer has had one good season. It’s not uncommon for relievers to have one good session followed by a steep regression afterward. Or injury.
The team needs to avoid going down this road of signing guys to extensions because they are too cheap to deal with arbitration.
Priggs89
Yeah, that 2.4 FIP in 2018 really sucked. Stop acting like he’s making elite reliever money.
maximumvelocity
That 1.5 WHIP did.
Also, Jace Fry had a 2.6 FIP in 2018. Should he have gotten an extension.
It’s not a lot of money. But it’s a terrible habit to get into signing extensions for all players that have a good year.
Priggs89
Yes, every time someone has a 2.6 FIP, they should be given an extension. It shouldn’t be on a case-by-case basis; every situation is the exact same.
Bummer had 20 bad innings in his first shot at the bigs, he put up excellent peripherals in 30 innings in his second shot, and he was excellent in 70 innings last year. That’s on top of really good numbers in the upper minors. He’s clearly trending up. And again, it’s only ~$3M/yr. Even if he’s mediocre it’s a fine deal.
Oh yah, and that sucky 1.5 WHIP came with only 2.84 BB/9 and a .402 BABIP against. I like his odds to outperform that WHIP going forward.
maximumvelocity
It’s shortsighted, because the extension obliged the team to stick with the player. Especially this one.
Carson Fulmer is trash. But they are going to give him one more shot because they don’t want to give up on the investment. There was a strong case to getting rid of Rodon, given his injury struggles. Look how many chances they gave Nate Jones, when there were opportunities to cut bait.
If he turns out to be a dud, the team is going to continue to trot him out there to save face. The team needs to stay focused on winning in the window.
Instead, they are constantly focus on five years from now. It’s a bad habit to develop.
Priggs89
Is it shortsighted, or is it a move for 5 years from now?
They stuck with Nate Jones because he was extremely effective when healthy, and he had injury clauses in his contract that made him ridiculously cheap while not playing. That’s a horrible example of the point you’re attempting to make.
Fulmer was a first round pick with a ton of talent. Until they have a better option ready to go, there’s no point in not giving him a chance. Once he’s actually blocking somebody that’s not a journeyman reliever, then you should complain.
maximumvelocity
Nate Jones was fully healthy for a single season. To get rid of him, they had to give up money on the international market.
And frankly, They have had and do have players who are better. They are continuing to carry him for no other reason than he was a first round pick.
Evan Marshall and Jimmy Cordero are so/called journeymen, BTW, who are still under team control. Carrying bad players out of ego simply leads to missing out on better players.
Priggs89
“Nate Jones was fully healthy for a single season.”
That’s just wrong. Nate Jones pitched 70+ innings in 3 different seasons, and he was good-to-great in all of them.
“To get rid of him, they had to give up money on the international market.”
They actually didn’t HAVE to; they chose to. They could’ve bought him out for $1.25M, but they chose to give up $1M in international money instead. That was 100% a choice that they made, not a necessity. All that shows is how little they value(d) international money – hopefully that philosophy has changed.
“And frankly, They have had and do have players who are better.”
Who? Give me examples of players that are clearly better that have moved on or are stuck in the minors and deserve an opportunity.
“Evan Marshall and Jimmy Cordero are so/called journeymen, BTW, who are still under team control.”
And he’s not blocking either one…
Is it fun acting like every move they make is the end of the world?
Idioms for Idiots
@maximumvelocity
Is there a risk that Bummer’s a one-year wonder? Sure, but the risk is pretty low on the Sox end. If he got what Eloy or Robert got, it would be a different story.
fletch
Now I can watch the Twins knock this guy around the ballpark for the next 5 years.
Jim Carter
Yes..the Twins did score once off Bummer in 2019. Here’s hoping they repeat that performance this season!
ASapsFables
In addition to his elite 72.1 GB%, Aaron Bummer can also miss a few bats. He struck out 60 hitters last season in 67.2 IP’s and has a career 8.3 SO/9 rate. Bummer produced a stingy 5.7 H/9 rate in 2019 that contributed mightily to his excellent 0.990 WHIP. He’s also got a great first name!
Rallyshirt
Aaron, So glad we got this done. One of the better signings in a blockbuster off season. Bummer is a composed boss with lefty “say my name” as opposing hitters grab some bench.
ChiSox_Fan
Aaron, thanks for keeping your comments brief.
ASapsFables
When it comes to writing, conversation and Chicago baseball, I can be brief or expansive. I spend plenty of time on Twitter where brevity is required. When words are limited I utilize them more efficiently and generally concentrate on witticism over content. Occasionally, I will tag a link if more detailing is required.
Sometimes a comment with more information can lead to less replies. I generally try to make a comment with more facts so it leads to less argument. As an older fan, I prefer writing and speaking intelligently and in-depth over brief tweets and abbreviated texts although I am capable of each form of communication.
Idioms for Idiots
@AaronSapoznik
That’s why some of my posts get long also. I anticipate potential arguments and try to head them off at the pass. Of course I might not get people to argue because they won’t read a post a mile long. Plus, I don’t have the luxury of sitting on here all day responding to arguments/criticisms of my posts, so explaining myself much further than I probably should in a post fixes that (or that’s the hope).
ChiSox_Fan
Just keep it brief… period!
Ogermc
Like a Sox playoff run Lolololol
Big Hurt
Yeah – the Twins really crushed him last year. 7 IP, 1 run and an OPS of .729. Good research there bro.
fletch
Who said anything about last year?
Idioms for Idiots
@fletch
How about this:
Now I can watch the Sox knock Berrios around the ballpark for the next 3 years.
Sounds silly, doesn’t it? Maybe if you said it about Fulmer or Covey, sure. But it sounds silly when Bummer owned you guys in ’19, and sorry, that’s the most recent info we have to go with.
sportsguy24/7
“largest extension given to a non-closer who has yet to qualify for salary arbitration in #MLB history.” Sounds like a piece straight out of the agent’s mouth. That’s like saying “I’m the biggest sports agent in the town of Smallville, USA” when you’re the ONLY sports agent in Smallville, USA. Notice that teams are locking guys in for many years with many options, thus minimizing their risk. That’s good for the club, but very risky for the player. Of course, guaranteed money isn’t bad for the player either….
CalcetinesBlancos
How is this contract remotely risky for the player? He’s a reliever, and they are famously iffy from year to year.
Mrtwotone
Damn, White Sox are giving out contracts like Oprahs talk show
RoyalsFanAmongWolves
you get a contract extension! you get one, you get one, you get one!
Idioms for Idiots
@RoyalsFanAmongWolves
Sounds good to me. Keep those extensions coming.
prov356
His two option years almost double the total value. That’s a good incentive.
pplama
Nice deal for both sides. Bummer has life-changing $, and even if he falls off a cliff ala Jace Fry there’s minimal risk for the Sox.
Eatdust666
This is a real bummer for opposing teams.
Rallyshirt
Solid.
nstale
burn worms?
ChiSox_Fan
Yes, lots of ground balls anticipated.
Great to have a ground ball pitcher at Guaranteed Rate Field.
ChiSox_Fan
Bummer is alternative and perhaps future Sox closer, too, if they need him!
Logjammer D"Baggagecling
They’re gonna call up Bobby Jenks and Mark Buehrle see if they’re available to start and close since the sox have Giolito and Dallas Keuchel. after that it’s a question mark..
Good Guys
Wrek you call yourself a Cubs fan but you seem to spend so much time commenting on White Sox players.
ASapsFables
He’s just a jealous fan who can only wish that Theo Epstein had the foresight to lock up his young studs and develop good pitching along with the solid hitters on the Cubs roster.
Dylan Cease was one of the few high ceiling arms that Theo did draft who looks to be an impacting SP and he was ‘forced’ to trade him to the White Sox along with a generational power hitting talent in Eloy Jimenez because he needed to overpay in prospect talent to acquire a veteran rotation arm for the Cubs back in July of 2017.
bravesfan88
If the discrepancy between his ERA and his FIP scares some fans about his future performance, I honestly wouldn’t be all that worried.
Bummer fits the rare type of pitcher that can consistently outperform his FIP. He does this by using his sinker to induce weak contact. Although, he does pitch to contact effectively, he can still miss some bats, and will continue to average 7-8 Ks/9.
Furthermore, with his sinker, he doesn’t solely rely on maximum velocity, so he should age extremely well over the next 4-5 seasons. This is a very solid deal for the White Sox now and especially moving forward. Typically, relief pitchers are extremely volatile, but Bummer has the approach, arsenal, and gets the results that make him a very likely exception to the norm.
Again, great deal for the Sox, and I think it’ll definitely benefit both sides. Some might see this as a start of a new trend, locking up relief arms earlier, but I don’t see that as being the case.
I believe the White Sox see the same attributes I mentioned earlier in Bummer as the driving forces why they gave him the extension now. Typically now, you see alot more younger arms coming in throwing 97-100, with an effective slider or curve, and those are generally the kind of candidates that will often times get injured and are more prone to ups and downs..
jleve618
Came here for the puns. It was a bummer.
Idioms for Idiots
Was definitely not expecting this one, but I’ll gladly take it. Nice job, Hahn!
I also like Hahn adding a 1-year option to Leury. Nice safety net for ’21, and if they’re able to upgrade and no longer need him, they’re only out $250K on him.
I can’t wait to see who’s next for the Sox to extend.
ChiSox_Fan
Sox should extend Madrigal and start him Day 1 in the “bigs”.
Idioms for Idiots
@ChiSox_Fan
That’s one of them I’m hoping to see happen.
WhiteSox4ever
Moncada & Madrigal… come on Hawn
Dogbone
Is that Goldy?
mcdusty49
I really like what the White Sox are doing, they look like a team to watch for the next few years
Rallyshirt
We now have Randel Mondesi on board.
cwsOverhaul
Gotta love the bloodlines. Hope in 4-5 years he has the OF cannon arm to unleash like his dad. Hahn will probably be petrified to trade guys like him and Tatis’ little bro in the system after trading Tatis Jr.
rangers92
Smart move by the Sox
The arbitration process for relievers and Catchers is sure to change in favor of the players.
Bummer may have sold himself short
It is guaranteed money tho I guess
msqboxer
All I can say is Nate Jones…
hyraxwithaflamethrower
Sure, but he could go the other way and become a top 10 non-closer reliever. That’s worth about twice this deal.
PiratesFan1981
A move like this and several others, it appears the White Sox look to aim to contend within 2 years. Bravo to them
Dogbone
White Sox have been planning to win, “in two years”, for about the last eight years.
SalaryCapMyth
Don’t agree with your statement but it was pretty funny and being funny covers for a multitude of sins. =D
zainzain11
No Puig for god’s sake.
I don’t know why the White Sox won’t give Yermin Mercedes a shot!!! He had better number than Luis Roberts!! He has bad luck or something, How can he not be in the top 100 prospects??
I would let Mercedes be DH/Back up Catcher/RF when Mazara needs a day off. I need that bat in the lineup
The guy hit 17 homers with avg .310 and obp .386! Wtf is going on? Am I missing soemthing? Why can’t he be the DH or anything.
Rallyshirt
I like Mercedes getting some time up this year. But we have too many hitters now including McCann.
zainzain11
Trade McCann, get a mid tier prospect. I wouldn’t have signed Encarnacion. Make Mercedes back up catcher and DH.
Collins is a bust. Trade him while he has some value.
If you just look at stats, Mercedes deserves to be a starter than Luis Roberts.
Priggs89
If you look at hitting and ignore everything else…
zainzain11
Hence he could be DH. And he improved as a catcher, he can be a back up,. Definetly better than Collins.
He deserves to be a starter and show what he has. Just imagine if he continues hitting as he did in triple A, he would be a star.
maximumvelocity
I always love the logic of “he’s a bust. Trade him.” As if that is a thing.
cwsOverhaul
Mercedes can get called up for DH work if/when old man Encarnacion gets hurt………or if EE continues his late year problems catching up to 95+ heat.
McCann is a good back-up, solid teammate, strong rapport with Giolito and important for preserving Grandal. All those things matter this season.
Hopefully Yermin tears up Spring training to show he should come up sooner rather than later.
ChiSox_Fan
Maybe he can be the 26th man!!?
BobSacamano
I wonder if the FO believes he could be the closer of the future. I thought Colome was younger, but he’s a free agent after ‘20.
SalaryCapMyth
Sigh..I knew I was going to have to weed through all the Bummer jokes but man the grass is tall.
Just a tip: If an article has been posted for over a few minutes, the joke you are about to tell has already been said..many, many times.
MadSkillsUniversity
Great extension for everyone. If could mean $30.5 million over 7 years for the Bummer’s. Congrats. Can’t wait for Giolitto’s, Madrigal, etc…. Lock’em up. LOL
Kevin28786
Strange move, but at that price, if you get 2 good years out of him, it’s worth it.
Ogermc
This is a HUGE day for u Sox fans!!! With all of 2 articles written about your “MLB team”. When was the last time u were relevant…2008, is Kenny still running, I mean ruining your team…lolololol. Atleast u got your fireworks, all 1000 of u that actually go to that joke field.
Priggs89
Joke of a team that’s living in your head rent free.
Please, tell us more about how you and your friends “could care less” about the White Sox.
nemolee.exe
Welp, That’s a brummer.
SumTingWong
so he’s only making 3+ million per year ? OMG how will he feed his family when they are barely above poverty line ?
MoMustGo
Kenny Williams , I wish you would reconsider signing Yasiel Puig to a one year contract. I would like to see what kind of numbers he would put up batting in the sixth spot of that awesome Sox lineup… Low risk.. High reward Ken! Give the south side fans a real shot in the arm before opening day.!