The Chicago White Sox likely won’t be a contender in the American League this season. And that applied before they traded Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets.
However, the team still signed one of MLB’s top strikeout relievers on Friday, reportedly inking right-hander Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract. The White Sox have not yet officially announced the signing.
Dominguez, 31, pitched for the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays last season. Featuring a five-pitch arsenal (four-seam fastball, sweeper, splitter, sinker, curveball), he compiled a 3.16 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. His strikeout rate of 11.35 per nine innings ranked 23th among qualifying MLB relievers.
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With that strikeout stuff comes some control issues. Dominguez threw a career-high 36 walks last season and tied for the MLB lead with 12 wild pitches.
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In the postseason, Dominguez made 12 appearances during the Blue Jays’ run to the World Series. He registered a 3.18 ERA with 10 strikeouts in 11 1/3 innings.
During his seven MLB seasons, Dominguez has a career 3.50 ERA in 322 appearances with a strikeout rate of 10.6 per nine innings. He pitched his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Presumably, Dominguez will be a good trade piece at the deadline for contenders looking to bolster their bullpens which would ideally allow the White Sox to add a top prospect or two. But for now, he’s part of an effort by White Sox general manager Chris Getz to strengthen the team’s roster.
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This offseason, the White Sox have also added relievers Sean Newcomb and Anthony Kay. They surprised MLB by signing Japanese third baseman Munetaka Murakami and acquired infielder Luisangel Acuña in the Robert trade.
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