The Chicago White Sox likely won’t be a contender in the American League this season. This was true 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 signing right-hander Seranthony Dominguez to a two-year, $20 million contract. The White Sox have yet to officially announce the signing.
Dominguez, 31, played last season for the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. He had five pitches (four-seam fastball, cleanup pitch, pitcher, sinker, curveball) and posted a 3.16 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 62 2/3 innings. His strikeout rate of 11.35 per nine innings ranks 23rd among eligible MLB relievers.
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The presence of strikeouts creates some control issues. Dominguez issued a career-high 36 walks last season and was tied for the MLB lead with 12 wild pitches.
In the postseason, Dominguez appeared in 12 games as the Blue Jays reached the World Series. He struck out 10 in 11 1/3 innings and had a 3.18 ERA.
In his seven MLB seasons, Dominguez has a career ERA of 3.50 and a strikeout rate of 10.6 per nine innings in 322 games. He spent his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies.
Presumably, Dominguez would be a good trade candidate at the deadline for a contender looking to bolster their bullpen, which would ideally allow the White Sox to add a top prospect or two. But for now, he’s part of White Sox general manager Chris Gaetz’s efforts to bolster the roster.
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This offseason, the White Sox also added relievers Sean Newcomb and Anthony Kay. They surprised Major League Baseball by signing Japanese third baseman Munetaka Murakami and acquiring infielder Luis Angel Acuña in the Robert trade.