Little-known name could produce big results for White Sox

Marco Paddy might be the White Sox’ biggest addition of the off-season.

Paddy left the Toronto Blue Jays and joined the Sox on Nov. 30 as assistant to general manager Kenny Williams in charge of international operations.

For years, the White Sox have had multiple problems mining talent in Latin America, but Paddy is quickly reversing that trend.

The Sox have yet to make an official announcement, but Baseball America is reporting that they signed 16-year-old Venezuelan pitcher Luis Martinez for $250,000.

Martinez, who turns 17 on Jan. 29, is a 6-foot-4, 195-pound right-hander.

Martinez reportedly is throwing a 92-mph fastball, along with a polished curveball.

Paddy is credited with locking up Martinez. He also played a big role in the Dec. 6 trade that sent closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays for Hector Molina, already ranked as the White Sox’ No. 2 prospect by Baseball America.

The Sox did sign John Danks to a five-year, $65 million contract extension in late December, but they are clearly moving away from big-salary commitments and looking to add younger, cheaper players.