White Sox, Thornton Agree On 2-Year Contract Extension
CHICAGO (CBS) - All-Star relief pitcher Matt Thornton has signed a 2-year, $12 million contract extension with the Chicago White Sox. The deal also includes a club option for the 2014 season.
Under the new contract, Thornton will receive $5.5 million each in 2012 and 2013, with the White Sox holding a $6-million option for the 2014 season. The left-hander will earn a base salary of $3 million in 2011, per terms of his current contract.
Thornton, 34, is the White Sox all-time leader with 100 holds and ranks fifth with 336 relief appearances. He was named to his first American League All-Star Team in 2010, going 5-4 with a 2.67 ERA (18 ER/60.2 IP), career-high eight saves and 81 strikeouts in 61 relief appearances.
Thornton is 26-23 with a 3.68 ERA (158 ER/400.1 IP) and 436 strikeouts in 410 games (one start) over seven major-league seasons with Seattle (2004-05) and Chicago (2006-).
