White Sox Sign Toby Hall

According to a press release from the White Sox, the team has signed free agent catcher Toby Hall to a two-year, $3.65MM deal.  There's a $2.25MM club option for 2009.

Hall turned 31 this year; he hit well after a trade to the Dodgers after a June 27th trade from the Devil Rays.  Hall didn't like being a backup and requested a trade in July.  Today's signing indicates that he just couldn't find full-time work anywhere, since A.J. Pierzynski plays a good 135 games a year.

Hall is a solid defender and his right-handed stick complements A.J. well.  He's got a high-contact hitting style but little power or ability to draw walks.  Hence, the lack of interest in him as a starter.

Comments

[wihargo]

at least he signed with a "major league team".

[beauhoopman]

Is it even possible to state how much better an option Toby Hall is than Sandy Alomar Jr.?

[Phils07]

GOOD...I was hoping the Phils wouldn't get him. The kid Ruiz deserves a shot to catch everyday.

[Jimbo]

I was hoping the yanks signed him...They've had their eye on him for a few years, I thought he'd be snatched up.

[Droptop]

Solid signing.

[melyrules]

He never strikes out, he makes alot of contact,he's a solid catcher, and he has some power. Decent signing.

[palehose35]

I like this signing. He'll be a definate upgrade as a backup catcher. Chris Stewart isn't ready yet in my eyes to see major league time.

[zman]

he must not like the yankee organization. the word was that he preferred a shot at a starting catching job, yet he takes a backup to Aj... and not for any sizeable amount. maybe this is as far west as he could get, being from washington.

[grumpy3b]

a comment about Hall from a Dodgers fan. He was major unhappy when traded to be a backup with the Dodgers.

He made several public comments early on with the Dodgers. These comments pretty explicitly stated his opinion of the situation. It looked as if he was going to be a major issue and a bigtime headcase. But he really righted the ship and accepted his role with the team. I liked the guy after he dealt with the situation as a grown man and not the child so many players behave like these days.

It seems as if the Dodgers could not even trade him. That is a shame as he performed well in his backup role and really would be a solid starter. I hope the guy finds success, he earned it for nutting up and handling things so well while in a situation he did not like but was getting paid to accept. The guy was a professional once all the dust settled.