Ex-Cub Bonifacio coming to White Sox
For the White Sox, the beginning of 2015 is looking a lot like the end of '14. That's a good thing.
Pending a physical, the Sox will sign veteran utility man Emilio Bonifacio to a reported one-year, $4 million contract, according to FOXSports.com.
Bonifacio, a 29-year-old switch hitter, instantly beefs up the White Sox' bench.
He might not be a big-name addition like Jeff Samardzija, Adam LaRoche, David Robertson or Melky Cabrera, who joined the Sox late last year, but Bonifacio is a solid hitter, a dangerous base stealer and he can play second base, shortstop, third base and all three outfield positions.
Playing with the Cubs at the start of 2014, Bonifacio attracted international attention when he went 9-for-12 to set a major-league record for most hits in the first two games of the season.
Bonifacio batted .279 in 69 games for the Cubs before being traded to the Braves on July 31. He hit .212 in 41 games with Atlanta.
Over an eight-year career that has also included stops with the Diamondbacks, Nationals, Marlins, Blue Jays and Royals, Bonifacio has a career .262/.319/.341 hitting line in 722 games. The 5-foot-11, 205-pounder also has 164 stolen bases in 208 attempts.
Given his versatility, Bonifacio is likely to be in the lineup several times a week at different positions.
He also provides insurance at second base, where youngsters Micah Johnson and Carlos Sanchez are currently set to compete for the starting job.
As a switch hitter, Bonifacio is much better against left-handed pitchers (.291) than right-handers (.250).
That gives Sox manager Robin Ventura the option of sitting one of his two left-handed hitting regulars, third baseman Conor Gillaspie and center fielder Adam Eaton, against tough lefty starters.
SoxFest sold out:
The White Sox announced Monday that hotel and premium upgrade packages for SoxFest have sold out.
A "very limited" number of single-day passes will be available at whitesox.com/SoxFest beginning Friday at 10 a.m.
SoxFest runs Jan. 23-25 and has moved to the Hilton Chicago from the Palmer House.