The White Sox signed reliever Dustin Hermanson to a two-year contract with a team option for a third and Hermanson will make $2 million in 2005 and $3 million in 2006. The Sox hold the option for 2007 at $3.5 million, with a $500,000 buyout.
Shingo Takatsu will go into the season as the Sox’s closer, but White Sox general manager Ken Williams said that Hermanson and left-hander Damaso Marte also can close.
Hermanson, 31, went 6-9 with a 4.53 ERA and 17 saves in 47 appearances last season with the Giants.
He also made 18 starts for San Francisco, going 4-4 with a 4.59 ERA, and Williams said Hermanson could be an option for the rotation if the Sox acquire another bullpen pitcher.
Unless another option presents itself, Williams said the bullpen is set with Takatsu, Marte, Hermanson, Neal Cotts, Jon Adkins and Cliff Politte. That leaves the perennial search for a fifth starter to go along with Freddy Garcia, Mark Buehrle, Jose Contreras and Jon Garland in the rotation.
The Sox also officially released the list of players to whom they did not offer arbitration, including right fielder Magglio Ordonez, Sandy Alomar Jr.–who signed a one-year deal with Texas–Roberto Alomar and Jose Valentin.
The Sox also have until Dec. 20 to offer arbitration to shortstop Juan Uribe, catcher Ben Davis and outfielders Timo Perez and Aaron Rowand.
