White Sox Sign Lefty Reliever Zach Duke
(CBS) The White Sox have signed left-handed reliever Zach Duke, it was announced Tuesday. CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes first reported the news.
The deal is for three years and worth $15 million. The 31-year-old Duke will receive $4.5 million in 2015, $5.0 million in 2016 and $5.5 million in 2017.
"Very early on, we identified Zach as one of the best left-handed free agents available this offseason, so we are very pleased he agreed to join the White Sox," Chicago general manager Rick Hahn said. "He addresses an important need in our bullpen by giving Robin Ventura a veteran left-handed option late in games."
Duke will help shore up a bullpen that was arguably Chicago's biggest weakness this past season. Duke was 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 74 appearances for the Brewers in 2014. He struck out 74 batters in 58 2/3 innings.
Left-handed hitters batted just .198 against Duke, and righties hit .242 against him. The White Sox will be Duke's sixth major league team.
The White Sox's 4.38 bullpen ERA was the third-worst in baseball last season.
Chicago's 40-man roster now sits at 37 players.