Nov. 18--The Chicago White Sox announced the signing of free-agent, left-handed reliever Zach Duke on Tuesday afternoon to a three-year, $15-million contract.
Duke is a 10-year major league veteran with a career 55-77 record and 4.46 ERA. He spent the 2014 season with the Milwaukee Brewers, where he posted a 5-1 record and 2.45 ERA with 12 holds and 74 strikeouts over 58 2/3 innings and 74 appearances.
The deal will pay Duke $4.5 million in 2015, $5 million in 2016 and $5.5 million in 2017.
Sox general manager Rick Hahn said last week at the GM meetings in Phoenix that the bullpen would be a priority in the offseason and that he expected to acquire several upgrades.
Before the Duke signing, the Sox had just two left-handed relievers on their 40-man roster.
"Very early on, we identified Zach as one of the best left-handed free agents available this offseason, so we are very pleased he agreed to join the White Sox," Hahn said in a release. "He addresses an important need in our bullpen by giving Robin Ventura a veteran left-handed option late in games."
A 20th-round pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2001 draft, Duke spent much of the first seven years of his career as a starter. He bounced back from a rough start to the 2013 season, when he posted an 8.71 ERA while with the Washington Nationals, to put up solid numbers with the Cincinnati Reds and Brewers.
Dan Hayes of CSNChicago.com first reported the signing.
