White Sox, Ohman Finalize Terms Of Contract
(WSCR) - It may not be the biggest offseason deal for the Chicago White Sox, but it's a deal that could go a long way in helping the team's bullpen.
The White Sox have agreed to terms on a two-year, $4-million contract with free agent relief pitcher Will Ohman. Under terms of the deal, Ohman will receive $1.5 million in 2011 and $2.5 million in 2012.
Ohman, a 33-year-old left-hander, went 0-2 with a 3.21 ERA (15 ER/42.0 IP) and 43 strikeouts in 68 combined appearances with Baltimore and Florida in 2010. He began the season with the Orioles, going 0-0 with a 3.30 ERA (11 ER/30.0 IP) in 51 games before being traded to the Marlins on July 31 in exchange for pitcher Rick VandenHurk, where he was 0-2 with a 3.00 ERA (4 ER/12.0 IP).
The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder held left-handers to a .229 (19-83) average and opened the season with a streak of 25 consecutive scoreless appearances covering 15.2 IP. He threw less than 1.0 IP in 45 of his 68 outings last season.
Ohman has gone 11-11 with a 4.19 ERA (124 ER/273.0 IP) and 269 strikeouts over eight major-league seasons with the Cubs (2000-01, '05-07), Atlanta (2008), Los Angeles-NL (2009), Baltimore (2010) and Florida (2010).
Ohman has limited lefties to a .208 (104-500) career average with 154 strikeouts.
He originally was selected by the Cubs in the eighth round of the 1998 First-Year Player Draft.
With the move, the White Sox 40-man roster is at 37.
A White Sox press release contributed to this report.
