Chicago White Sox Roster
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The Chicago White Sox are reportedly re-signing Leury Garcia, according to a tweet from MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Per Heyman's tweet, it's a three-year deal for the 30-year-old. In 474 plate appearances last season, Garcia hit .267 with a .335 on-base percentage, five home runs, and six stolen bases. He played all over the field for Tony La Russa's club, starting games at every position besides pitcher, catcher, and first base. He'll likely be a utility option again next season, though speculatively speaking, he could see extended time at second base if the White Sox don't make any additions at the position.
The Chicago White Sox and relief pitcher Kendall Graveman officially agreed on a three-year, $24 million deal on Tuesday. Graveman will make $8 million in all three seasons and will also have incentives for awards. The 30-year-old right-hander combined to go 5-1 with a sparkling 1.77 ERA, 61 strikeouts, a .180 opponent's average, 0.98 WHIP, 10 saves and 11 holds in 53 appearances for the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros in 2021. He was among the American League relief leaders in ERA (third), opponent's OPS (.536), opponent's average (fifth), ground-ball percentage (12th) and WHIP (12th). He also had a 1.64 ERA with two holds and 11 strikeouts for Houston in the playoffs. Graveman will still have fantasy value for his strikeouts and in holds leagues, but he's unlikely to see many save chances with both Liam Hendriks and Craig Kimbrel handling the late innings.
The Chicago White Sox have reportedly agreed to terms with free agent reliever Kendall Graveman, according to MLB Network's Jon Heyman. Graveman started last season with the Seattle Mariners before being dealt to the division-rival Houston Astros in July. All told, the veteran pitched to a 1.77 ERA and a 3.19 FIP in 56 innings while registering 61 strikeouts and 20 walks. He'll join a Chicago bullpen that currently features high-leverage relievers Liam Hendriks, Craig Kimbrel, Garrett Crochet, Aaron Bummer and Michael Kopech.
Chicago White Sox starter Lance Lynn finished third in the voting for the American League Cy Young Award on Wednesday. Lynn, acquired from the Texas Rangers last December for fellow starter Dane Dunning and pitching prospect Avery Weems, enjoyed a career year in his first campaign with the White Sox. In 157 innings, the right-hander pitched to a 2.69 ERA and a 3.32 FIP while earning All-Star honors. The veteran also registered 176 strikeouts while walking just 45 batters. He previously finished in the top six in Cy Young voting in each of the last two seasons when he was a member of the Rangers.
The Chicago White Sox exercised their $16 million team option on relief pitcher Craig Kimbrel for next year, but he could be on the move with All-Star closer Liam Hendriks still in the fold as the team's ninth-inning guy. With this year's free-agent class of relievers lacking elite closing options, Kimbrel could be at a premium and won't require a long-term commitment. The hard-throwing right-hander was pretty bad in the shortened 2020 season and he had a 5.09 ERA and only one save for the Pale Hose after the acquired him from the Chicago Cubs, but he did finish 2021 with a nice 2.26 ERA, a 15.1 K/9 and a 3.5 BB/9. Kimbrel's fantasy value will remain depressed unless he's traded to a team that will install him as their everyday closer.