Nov. 03--The Tribune is doing position-by-position analyses for the 2015 White Sox. Next up is relief pitching.
Key 2015 statistics
RH David Robertson: 6-5, 3.41 ERA, 34-for-41 save opportunities, 63 1/3 IP, 7 HR, 13 BB, 86 K, .196 opponent average, 0.93 WHIP.
LH Zach Duke: 3-6, 3.41 ERA, 1-for-3 save opportunities, 60 2/3 IP, 9 HR, 32 BB, 66 K, .218 average, 1.30 WHIP.
RH Jake Petricka: 4-3, 3.63 ERA, 2-for-3 save opportunities, 52 IP, 2 HR, 18 BB, 33 K, .284 average, 1.42 WHIP.
RH Matt Albers: 2-0, 1.21 ERA, 37 1/3 IP, 3 HR, 9 BB, 28 K, .228 average, 1.07 WHIP.
RH Nate Jones: 2-2, 3.32 ERA, 19 IP, 5 HR, 6 BB, 27 K, .188 average, 0.95 WHIP.
RH Zach Putnam: 3-3, 4.07 ERA, 48 2/3 IP, 7 HR, 24 BB, 64 K, .239 average, 1.36 WHIP.
LH Dan Jennings: 2-3, 3.99 ERA, 56 1/3 IP, 3 HR, 24 BB, 46 K, .256 average, 1.40 WHIP.
RH Daniel Webb: 1-0, 6.30 ERA, 30 IP, 3 HR, 22 BB, 22 K, .325 average, 2.10 WHIP.
RH Scott Carroll: 1-1, 3.44 ERA, 36 2/3 IP, 2 HR, 13 BB, 27 K, .280 average, 1.45 WHIP.
2016 contract status
Robertson: Under contract for $11 million in 2016.
Duke: Under contract for $5 million in 2016.
Petricka: Under team control.
Albers: Free agent.
Jones: Arbitration eligible.
Putnam: Arbitration eligible.
Jennings: Arbitration eligible.
Webb: Under team control.
Carroll: Under team control.
Breakdown
The 2015 White Sox bullpen was a big step up from the 2014 version, thanks to additions such as Robertson, Duke and Albers, but there's still room for improvement.
Robertson, who signed a four-year, $46 million free-agent contract to be the Sox closer in December, called this the worst season of his career. He blew seven save opportunities and was saddled with five losses in his first season with an organization other than the Yankees.
Duke, the second-highest-paid Sox reliever after he was brought in on a three-year, $15 million free-agent contract, also had his share of blemishes as the lefty setup man. More often than not both were good, but they will be back in 2016 to try to right their wrongs.
Albers had as good a second half as any reliever on the team. After missing most of the first half with a broken pinky finger suffered during the early-season brawl with the Royals, Albers surprised with a 1.14 ERA after his return to work his way into pitching in more critical situations. But he could seek a bigger deal as a setup man on the free-agent market this winter.
Putnam and Petricka didn't quite live up to their 2014 performances, both slowing at times in the second half, while Jennings is one of the few who improved late in the year after a bad first half marred by a nerve problem in his neck and shoulder.
Jones made a promising late-season return from Tommy John surgery, and the Sox will look for better results from him in 2016.
With Robertson, Duke, Petricka and Jones as a core, the Sox bullpen could have a solid year in 2016. There should be decent competition for the remaining openings, including Webb, a young pitcher who had a tough year, and Carroll, who has pitched well in long relief but has been a victim of a crowded roster. Hard-throwing minor-leaguer Frankie Montas could also make an impact, though the Sox have said in the past they view him as a starter.
The Sox probably won't spend big on the bullpen after last year's splurge, but they could stand to add another option or two to the mix to account for the loss of Albers and any future injuries or setbacks.
