Reports: White Sox agree to deal with former Cubs reliever Steve Cishek

Cishek was one of the stronger free-agent relievers left on the market. He has had an ERA below 3.00 in each of the last four seasons.

SHARE Reports: White Sox agree to deal with former Cubs reliever Steve Cishek
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The White Sox have reportedly made a deal with former Cubs reliever Steve Cishek.

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Former Cubs reliever Steve Cishek reportedly is taking his talents to the other side of town.

The White Sox and Cishek agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth a guaranteed $6 million, ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported Tuesday.

The agreement will pay Cishek $5.25 million in 2020 and features a club option worth $6.75 million in 2021. Cishek will get a $750,000 buyout if the Sox choose not to pick up their option, MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand reported.

The Sox haven’t announced the deal.

Cishek, who has a 2.69 career ERA in 10 major-league seasons, was one of the stronger free-agent relievers left on the market. He has had an ERA below 3.00 in each of the last four seasons.

The 33-year-old right-hander spent the last two seasons being the workhorse of the Cubs’ bullpen. In 2019, Cishek — who missed some time with inflammation in his left hip — had seven saves and posted a 2.95 ERA in 70 appearances spanning 64 innings.

Cishek solidifies the back end of the Sox’ bullpen, which also features returnees Alex Colome and Aaron Bummer. Colome had 30 saves and a 2.80 ERA in 61 innings, and Bummer had a 2.13 ERA in 67‰ innings last season.

Cishek’s deal is the latest move in what has been a productive offseason for the Sox, who seem to be turning the corner after three years of rebuilding.

The Sox started the offseason by adding skilled pitch-framer Yasmani Grandal on a four-year, $73 million deal, then acquired 24-year-old right fielder Nomar Mazara from the Rangers for Class A outfield prospect Steele Walker.

The Sox also added stability to a promising, but mostly unproven, rotation by signing left-handers Dallas Keuchel (three years, $55.5 million) and Gio Gonzalez (one year, $5 million) and bolstered their lineup with designated hitter Edwin Encarnacion (one year, $11 million, plus a $1 million bonus).

The Sox also took care of some in-house business by re-signing first baseman Jose Abreu for three years and $50 million and signing prized outfield prospect Luis Robert to a six-year, $50 million deal. The expectation is that Robert will be in the Sox’ Opening Day lineup.

In total, the Sox have spent $201.5 million in guaranteed money on free agents this offseason. Their estimated payroll budget for 2020 is around $120 million.

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