The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a three-year, $13-million contract with free agent relief pitcher Jesse Crain. Under terms of the deal, Crain will receive $4 million in 2011 and $4.5 million each in 2012-13.
Crain, a 29-year-old right-hander, went 1-1 with a 3.04 ERA (23 ER/68.0 IP) and 62 strikeouts in 71 appearances with Minnesota in 2010. He compiled a 0.28 ERA (1 ER/31.2 IP) in 35 games from June 10-August 31, including a streak of 21 consecutive scoreless appearances (20.0 IP) from June 12-August 4.
The 6-foot-1, 215-pounder tied for eighth in the American League with a career-high 21 holds and ranked ninth in appearances. He limited opponents to a .215 (53-247) average, including a .228 (33-145) mark by right-handers and a .196 (20-102) mark by lefties, and allowed just 23.1 percent (9-39) of inherited runners to score.
Crain, a native of Toronto and a Houston resident, is 33-21 with a 3.42 ERA (145 ER/382.0 IP) in 376 relief outings over seven major-league seasons, all with the Twins. His best season came in 2005 when he set career highs with 12 victories, a 2.71 ERA and 79.2 IP.
Crain has gone 20-7 with a 2.82 ERA (61 ER/194.2 IP) lifetime vs. AL Central opponents, including a 5-2 record with a 1.45 ERA (8 ER/49.2 IP) in 45 appearances against the White Sox.
He originally was selected by the Twins in the second round of the 2002 First-Year Player Draft. Crain will wear uniform No. 26.
A White Sox press release contributed to this report.
