The Chicago White Sox made a splash early on in the MLB Winter Meetings. On Tuesday the team signed closer David Robertson to a four-year contract and acquired starting pitcher Jeff Samardzija from the Oakland Athletics.
First came Roberston. Bob Nightengale of USA Today reported at 12:38 a.m. that the White Sox signed the closer to a "four-year deal in excess of $40 million." The exact worth was found to be $46 million, a source told ESPN's Jerry Crasnick. Despite Robertson's high price tag, the White Sox added much-needed help to a bullpen that ranked 28th in the MLB in terms of ERA (4.38) and was tied for seventh for most blown saves (21). General manager Rick Hahn also added left-hander Zach Duke on a three-year, $15 million deal earlier in the offseason, which provides good diversity in the bullpen.
Robertson was with the Yankees for seven seasons, but was only the closer for one of them. Last year he converted 39 of 44 save opportunities to go along with a 2.08 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and 96 strikeouts in 64 1/3 innings. The right-hander owns a career record of 25-19 with a 2.81 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 393 1/3 innings. He'll immediately step into the closer role and Jake Petricka will likely become the setup man.
As for the starting rotation, Chicago executed a trade with Oakland and landed Samardzija, another right-hander. He's expected to pitch behind staff ace Chris Sale and in front of left-hander Jose Quintana. Samardzija had his best season as a starter in the majors this past year despite posting a 7-13 record. He amassed a 2.99 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and 202 strikeouts in 33 starts with the Cubs and A's.
Samardzija is in his third year of arbitration eligibility and is expected to earn between $9 million and $10 million in 2015. The former Cub said he liked Chicago in the past, so the White Sox will perhaps have an advantage to re-sign him when he becomes a free agent after this coming season.
The White Sox will send pitcher Chris Bassitt, infielder Marcus Semien and a third player to be named to Oakland. Bassitt, 25, is a right-handed starter who has a 22-10 record with a 2.97 ERA and 1.26 WHIP in 96 appearances (44 starts) in the minors since 2011. The 24-year-old Semien has played in 85 games with Chicago since 2013 and will now probably play shortstop for the A's due to the likely departure of Jed Lowrie. The White Sox have a lot of depth in the middle infield, so parting with Semien probably won't hurt them too much.
The A's have already made three trades to get rid of soon-to-be expensive players while the White Sox are looking to put the finishing touches on a roster they believe can compete in the AL Central in 2015.
UPDATE: The White Sox will also send infielder Rangel Ravelo and catcher Josh Phegley to the Athletics. Oakland adds pitcher Michael Ynoa to deal for Chicago.
