Contract length, chance to win sealed deal for White Sox' Ohman

Over the past four seasons, left-handed pitcher Will Ohman has played with five different teams — the Cubs, Braves, Dodgers, Orioles and Marlins.

When the White Sox came calling last week with a two-year, $4 million contract offer, the 33-year-old relief pitcher jumped at the chance to play in yet another uniform.

“Number one, as a player, the security of having two years put on the contract is always going to be important,” Ohman said on a conference call Tuesday. “That was a huge factor for me. Unfortunately, the last four years I've done a lot of hopping around. To call one place home is always great.”

Considering he held left-handed hitters to a .229 batting average last year and a .208 average over eight major-league seasons, Ohman found himself in demand on the free-agent market.

Getting two years from the Sox was key, but that's not the only reason Ohman agreed to the deal.

“The other really big factor for me is the fact this team is built to win,” Ohman said. “I don't care who you are, it doesn't matter how much money somebody gives you, if you know at the end of the day you're going to come up short, that's not a great feeling. You want to win.”

The Twins have won the AL Central six times in the last nine seasons, and left-handed hitters Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau have taken turns delivering big hits against the White Sox.

In Ohman, the Sox have a weapon to help neutralize the dangerous duo.

“My assumption is I'm probably going to face the best left-hander on somebody's team with guys on base and their chance for glory,” Ohman said. “I'm going to go try to get that guy out and if I do my job, nobody will notice. And if I don't, I'll read about it in the paper.”

Ohman isn't going to be asked to close games or pitch multiple innings. Rather, he was signed by the White Sox to retire left-handed hitters.

“That's my job,” Ohman said. “That's what they pay me for. I hope I continue to do well against them. I don't know if there's one specific reason why, it just seems to work out that way.”

Ohman was drafted by the Cubs in 1998 and pitched for the North Siders for five seasons. He's looking forward to returning to Wrigley Field July 1-3 as a member of the White Sox.

“I'm sure there will be several people there who will not be pleased with my return,” Ohman said. “But I've always liked that stadium and it's got a good energy to it.”