White Sox, Duke agree to three-year, $15 million deal
With multiple holes to fill following a second straight losing season, general manager Rick Hahn took the first step Tuesday.
"We're real pleased with this, but we're on to the next (move) now," Hahn said after signing free-agent relief pitcher Zach Duke to a three-year, $15 million contract. "It was an important get, one we're all very happy about, but we're not deluding ourselves that we're by any means finished addressing our needs, both in the bullpen or elsewhere. We're very happy today, but once this call is over we'll get back on the phone."
Hahn is still looking for a designated hitter who swings from the left side, another arm or two in the bullpen, a right-handed starting pitcher and possible upgrades in left field, at third base and catcher.
Hahn said Duke "was one of the most desirable relievers out on the market" and that the signing addressed a "clear need" based on the Sox' weakness in the bullpen.
"We view him as a very nice fit in the coming years," Hahn said, "but do not look at him alone as addressing all of our needs in the bullpen, and we're going to continue to be diligent to try to add to this move in the coming weeks and months."
Last season, the White Sox' bullpen had the second-highest ERA (4.38) in the American League and left-handers Scott Downs, Eric Surkamp, Donnie Veal and Scott Snodgress all struggled.
Duke was 5-1 with a 2.45 ERA in 74 relief appearances with the Milwaukee Brewers last year, and the 31-year-old pitcher had 12 holds and 74 strikeouts in 58⅔ innings. A sidearmer, Duke also limited left-handed hitters to a .198 average.
A starting pitcher for his first six seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Duke was moved to the bullpen in 2011 after being traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
"It's a blow to the ego a bit when you get fired from a position," Duke said. "I felt like I was asked to no longer be a starter. That was a tough pill to swallow for a while. But once I kind of embraced the role of being a reliever, I had to take a step back and figure some things out and figure out how I was going to get an opportunity as a reliever.
"I was sitting around one day and thought, 'You know, the quickest way for me to be a big-league reliever is to dominate lefties.' Growing up, I was from the country (Clifton, Texas) and a hick, but that's where I came from.
"I used to just skip rocks on the pond on my farm. To skip rocks on the water you've got to kind of use a sidearm slot and it just kind of became a natural motion for me. I thought, 'Maybe I can incorporate that. If relieving is now my career path, maybe I should try the sidearm thing.'
"I tried it and now it has turned into a really valuable weapon for me and I guess it parlayed into this opportunity now."
Follow Scot on Twitter @scotgregor