Linebrink gets $19 million from White Sox

In need of some middle relief help, the Chicago White Sox signed right-handed pitcher Scott Linebrink to a four-year deal worth $19 million.

As expected, the Sox also requested waivers on infielder Alex Cintron and outfielder Scott Podsednik in order to grant their unconditional releases.

Linebrink (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) will collect $4 million in 2008, $4.5 million in 2009, $5 million in 2010 and $5.5 million in 2011.

The 31-year-old reliever was 5-6 with a 3.71 ERA (29 ER/70.1 IP) last season while pitching for San Diego and Milwaukee.

Since the start of the 2004 season, Linebrink ranks second among major-league relievers in holds (111), fifth in IP (303.2) and tied for sixth in games (290).

Cintron, 28, batted .243 with 2 home runs and 19 RBI in 68 games in 2007.

Podsednik, 31, was designated for assignment by the White Sox on November 20. He batted .243 with 2 home runs, 11 RBI, 12 stolen bases and 30 runs scored with the White Sox in 2007.