White Sox' moves hint at future plans

The White Sox made a flurry of roster moves on Thursday. While they might appear somewhat minor at the moment, they could turn out to be major decisions down the road.

The Sox purchased the contracts of pitcher Francellis Montas, infielders Rangel Ravelo and Tyler Saladino and catcher Kevan Smith. That means all four players are protected in the December Rule 5 draft.

In another move that comes as no surprise, the White Sox designated relief pitcher Ronald Belisario for assignment.

Also, left-handed pitcher Onelki Garcia was claimed off waivers from the Dodgers and outfielder Jared Mitchell was outrighted to Class AAA Charlotte, leaving the Sox' 40-man roster at 40.

Montas was a combined 5-0 with a 1.44 ERA in 15 combined starts last season for the Arizona Rookie League White Sox, Class A Winston-Salem and AA Birmingham.

Montas was acquired from the Red Sox in the July 31, 2013 three-team trade that brought Avisail Garcia to the White Sox from Detroit and sent Jake Peavy to Boston. Montas injured his left knee in spring training and his right knee in late June.

The 21-year-old right-hander picked up some needed innings in the Arizona Fall League, where he was 1-0 with a 3.52 ERA in 6 starts.

Ravelo batted .309 with 37 doubles, 11 home runs and 66 RBI in 133 games with Birmingham.

Saladino hit .310 in 82 games with Charlotte before tearing the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow in mid-July and missing the rest of the season.

Smith batted .290 with 10 home runs and 48 RBI in 106 games with Birmingham.

Signed to a one-year, $3 million contract last season after pitching for the Dodgers, Belisario was 4-8 with a 5.56 ERA and 8 saves in 62 games for the White Sox.

Garcia could pitch out of the Sox' bullpen at some point in 2015 after appearing in only 1 game last season following arthroscopic elbow surgery.

The Dodgers' third-round draft pick in 2012 and No. 9 prospect per Baseball America heading into last season, Garcia was 2-4 with a 2.90 ERA in 2013 over 35 games (6 starts) with Class AA Chattanooga and AAA Albuquerque.

Mitchell was the Sox' first-round draft pick in 2009 out of LSU, where he also starred in football.

A 26-year-old outfielder, Mitchell hit .256 with 19 homers and 50 RBI in 120 games with Birmingham and Charlotte last year. In five minor-league seasons, Mitchell batted .230 and struck out 676 times in 1,773 at-bats.