We’re only a couple of days out from Thanksgiving, and the stove is fittingly warming up. In case you missed today’s White Sox news while at school or work, here’s a look at the latest rumblings.
White Sox sign reliever Kendall Graveman
The organization’s first move of the offseason addressed the back-end of the bullpen as they inked relief pitcher Kendall Graveman. According to all reports, the finalized deal is said to be worth $24 million over three years.
Our Jordan Lazowski broke down the signing and what this move means for Craig Kimbrel’s future in an article earlier today. Click here to read.
Rumors link Sox to Robbie Ray, Marcus Semien
Following the Kendall Graveman news earlier this afternoon, Bob Nightengale continued to turn up the stove’s temperature with a tweet. In it, he said the White Sox are still seeking a starter and second baseman while name dropping Robbie Ray and Marcus Semien in the process.
Semien, a free agent, slashed .265/.334/.538 with 45 home runs, 102 RBI, .873 OPS, and 7.3 WAR over a full 162 games with Toronto. There’s no question that the 31-year-old second baseman is a perfect candidate to fill the void up the middle… until you remember the money aspect of it.
With Semien likely commanding at least $20-25 million a year, it’s hard to imagine a certain someone being willing to pull the trigger on such a deal. It’s equally as hard to imagine which other second basemen out there might be “like” Semien since he’s been one of the game’s best players over the past few seasons.
As for Ray, he went 13-7 with a 2.84 ERA (61 ER/193.1 IP), 248 strikeouts, 52 walks, 154 ERA+, and 1.045 WHIP in his 32 starts for the Blue Jays. Like Semien, the 2021 Cy Young Award winner ranks among baseball’s best available free agents and will surely cash in on his stellar season. It would be stupid not for the White Sox to, at the very least, check-in. The team will just need to decide where they want to spend their big bucks because getting two top-tier caliber players like Ray and Semien will certainly hurt the wallet.
Liam Hendriks named to All-MLB First Team
White Sox closer Liam Hendriks was named the relief pitcher on the All-MLB First Team this evening.
Hendriks 32, went 8-3 in 2021 with a 2.54 ERA (20 ER/71.0 IP), 38 saves, 113 strikeouts, 7 walks, 171 ERA+, 0.732 WHIP, and .174 (45-for-258) opponent average in 69 appearances. The impressive stats were enough to earn him the designation of Mariano Rivera American League Reliever on November 10th, making him the first pitcher to earn the award in consecutive seasons.
Selections for the third annual All-MLB Teams were announced on Tuesday evening in a special MLB Network program. The first and second teams were determined by a combination of voting from fans and a panel of media members, broadcasters, former players, and other officials throughout the game.
With the honor, Hendriks becomes one of just four players (Gerrit Cole, Freddie Freeman, and Juan Soto) to have appeared as All-MLB selections in all three seasons since the award was introduced in 2019.
Tim Anderson and wife Bria donate 205 turkeys to families in need
Evan Marshall undergoes surgery
Former White Sox relief pitcher and now free agent Evan Marshall is on the mend after undergoing Tommy John surgery recently. The righty provided an update for fans via Twitter on Tuesday evening:
Marshall originally tore his flexor muscle in his right elbow during a June outing against the Minnesota Twins. While surgery was one of the likely outcomes, the reliever made every possible effort to rest, rehab, and return to the team in time for the postseason.
The 31-year-old ended up making five appearances for Triple-A Charlotte, striking out six over 4.1 innings. Despite some increasing velocity, Marshall experienced above-average soreness following back-to-back outings. He later saught out a second opinion and received a shot in his elbow to try to keep going, though didn’t end up making the ALDS roster.
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