White Sox sign Frazier, four pitchers to one-year contracts

Todd Frazier was one of five Chicago White Sox players agreeing to one-year contracts on Friday while avoiding salary arbitration.

Settling on a $12 million deal for the upcoming season was the easy part, both for Frazier and the Sox.

The hard part? Predicting the 30-year-old third baseman's future.

On the one hand, the rebuilding Sox could trade Frazier before spring training, during spring training or during the season.

Frazier's name has been on the trade block all winter, and he has value as a power hitter. Last season, Frazier ranked sixth in the American League with 40 home runs and he tied for 19th with 98 RBI.

The White Sox have minor-league prospect Matt Davidson waiting in the wings at third base, so dealing Frazier makes even more sense.

But as the Sox add youth to the roster, they might want to keep a positive veteran influence in the clubhouse. Frazier perfectly fits that bill and he won the 2016 MLB Players Alumni Association Heart and Hustle Award.

In addition to Frazier, starting pitcher Miguel Gonzalez and relief pitchers Dan Jennings, Zach Putnam and Jake Petricka also agreed to one-year contracts.

Gonzalez is back with a $5.9 million salary after going 5-8 with a 3.73 ERA in 24 games (23 starts) last season. The Sox signed the 32-year-old righty in early April after he was released by Baltimore.

Jennings signed for $1.4 million after a solid season out of the White Sox's bullpen. The 29-year-old lefty was 4-3 with a 2.08 ERA in a career-high 64 appearances.

Putnam signed for just under $1.2 million after going 1-0 with a 2.30 ERA in a 2016 season shortened by injury.

After also striking out 30 in 27⅓ innings, Putnam developed ulnar neuritis in his right elbow and had season-ending surgery on Aug. 5.

Petricka, who signed for $825,000, is another reliever coming back from injury.

The 28-year-old righty was limited to nine games before having season-ending surgery on his right hip.