Chris Sale gained some weight during the offseason an plans to enter 2013 at 180-185 pounds.
Sale was at 168 pounds at the start of camp last year, so the lanky left-hander is hoping the extra weight will help him hold up to the rigors of a long season. The 23-year-old is coming off 192 innings in his first season as a starting pitcher.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: Chris Sale, news, White Sox
Paul Konerko said Friday that he’s unsure whether he’ll retire after the 2013 season.
Konerko mentioned when he signed a three-year deal in December of 2010 that he was prepared to retire at the conclusion of the contract. Of course, he probably didn’t imagine remaining as productive as he’s been, sporting a .304/.384/.530 batting line while averaging 32 homers over the last three seasons. He’ll turn 37 in March, but it’s hard to imagine him hanging it up if he has another nice year in 2013.
Source: twitter.com
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White Sox signed RHP Matt Lindstrom to a one-year, $2.8 million contract.
The deal also includes a $4 million option for 2014, as well as $2.25 million in bonuses and escalators based on games finished to be paid out over the life of the contract. It’s a nice little under-the-radar signing for the Palehose, as Lindstrom boasts a 2.85 ERA and 1.24 WHIP over the last two seasons.
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White Sox claimed RHP Zach Stewart off waivers from the Pirates.
Stewart was DFA’d by the Bucs last week and is now back with team he pitched for during the first few months of 2012. He has a disappointing 6.82 ERA over 103 career major league innings and won’t be guaranteed a big league roster spot for the opening of the 2013 season.
Source: twitter.com
Tagged as: news, White Sox, Zach Stewart
Alex Rios could move up to the third spot in the batting order in 2013.
Adam Dunn was the primary No. 3 hitter last season, but White Sox manager Robin Ventura wants to keep him away from leadoff man Alejandro De Aza if they are going to be only left-handed hitters in the lineup. Rios thrived out of the No. 5 spot last season, but fantasy owners shouldn’t complain about the chance for more at-bats.
Source: twitter.com
Robin Ventura said Wednesday that he might start Chris Sale later in the spring in order to preserve him for the regular season.
Ventura plans to have a similar approach with John Danks, who is making his way back from shoulder surgery. Sale is coming a massive increase in workload during his first season as a starting pitcher, so the White Sox just want to play things safe.
Source: twitter.com
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FOX Sports’ Ken Rosenthal reports that the Pirates and Francisco Liriano have adjusted and finalized their two-year, $12.75 million contract.
Liriano injured his right (non-throwing) arm in December, and he’s agreed to reduce his salary in the first year of the deal should he miss time due to the ailment. If the injury doesn’t cause him to spend any time on the disabled list, he’ll collect the full $12.75 million. Liriano posted a 5.34 ERA, 1.47 WHIP and 167/87 K/BB ratio in 156 2/3 innings this past season.
Source: twitter.com
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White Sox avoided arbitration with OF Alejandro De Aza by agreeing to a one-year, $2.075 million contract.
He receives a nice raise in his first year of arbitration. De Aza will return as the White Sox’ center fielder in 2013 after batting .281/.349/.410 with nine homers and 26 steals last season.
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White Sox avoided arbitration with 2B Gordon Beckham by agreeing to a one-year, $2.925 million contract.
He was arbitration-eligible for the first time. Beckham has posted just a .245/.312/.382 batting line during his four seasons with the White Sox but did slug a career-high 16 homers in 2012.
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White Sox signed RHP Tony Pena Jr. to a minor league contract.
The former shortstop posted a 4.75 ERA with 62 strikeouts over 91 innings for the Red Sox’ Triple-A affiliate in 2012. Pena led the Dominican Winter League with 11.4 K/9 rate.
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