The Chicago White Sox agreed to terms with multiple players on Thursday to avoid arbitration. Chicago had seven players eligible for arbitration, including recently acquired players such as Nicky Lopez and Michael Soroka.
Lopez and Soroka joined the White Sox in a December trade with the Atlanta Braves that sent Aaron Bummer out of town. Of the five players joining the White Sox, Lopez and Soroka are expected to be the biggest contributors.
In his first year of arbitration, Lopez reached an agreement at $4.3 million for the 2024 season. He received the second-largest dollar amount behind Dylan Cease.
The White Sox agreed to terms on a one-year, $3 million deal with Soroka to avoid arbitration.
Chicago also locked in a handful of returning players integral to the 2024 campaign. First baseman Andrew Vaughn agreed to a $3.25 million deal. Since being drafted third overall in 2019, Vaughn's performance has left much to be desired.
The same can be said about Michael Kopech, who agreed to a one-year, $3 million pact. The 2024 campaign may be Kopech's last year with the White Sox if he can't turn it around after having one of the worst years among MLB starting pitchers a year ago.
Cease and The Rest
The White Sox agreed to an $8 million contract with their top starter, Dylan Cease, avoiding arbitration. 2025 is the final year of arbitration eligibility for Cease before the right-hander hits free agency.
Cease has been the topic of many trade rumors dating back to the 2023 trade deadline. But the asking price for his services remains steep, leading some to believe he will start 2024 with the White Sox.
Garrett Crochet spent most of 2023 on the injured list, but the White Sox have hopes of turning him into a starting pitcher. He returns in 2024 for $800,000. Touki Toussaint, who should figure into the pitching staff in some capacity this season, agreed to a $1.3 million deal.
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