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White Sox Sign Scott Olsen

By Ben Nicholson-Smith | January 25, 2012 at 12:19pm CDT

The White Sox signed left-hander Scott Olsen to a minor league contract, ESPN.com's Jerry Crasnick tweets. The deal includes a 2013 option on Olsen, a Sosnick/Cobbe client.

Olsen, 28, signed with the Pirates last offseason, but he had shoulder problems and Pittsburgh released him in May. He was a serviceable starter for the Marlins from 2006-08, when he posted a 4.65 ERA with 6.6 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9 in 559 innings. However, he struggled in 2009-10 as a member of the Nationals and hasn't had success in the Major Leagues since.

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Chicago White Sox Transactions Scott Olsen

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66 Comments

  1. Tristan Leonhard

    13 years ago

    He was “decent” as a rookie. . .but nothing since then.

    Reply
    • Devon Henry

      13 years ago

      Scott Olsen > Prince Fielder….cough

      Reply
  2. Matt Manzella

    13 years ago

    Organizational depth. I like that we got another lefty in the system. He could spot start in a pinch and pitch long relief with the big club. He’ll give Zach Stewart a little competition in ST. 

    Reply
    • JimBaily

      13 years ago

      I guess anything helps when you have the worst minor league system in baseball.

      Reply
  3. Patrick OKennedy

    13 years ago

    Uh oh!  Now we’re in trouble!

    Reply
    • Matt Manzella

      13 years ago

      Fielder is slightly less of a monster vs. lefties…lol

      Reply
      • Patrick OKennedy

        13 years ago

        I really don’t understand what Kenny is doing this winter. 

        Reply
        • whitesoxfan424

          13 years ago

          What is he supposed to do?  The Tigers were favored to win the 2012 AL Central already at the end of last season; after VMart hurt his knee there really wasn’t all that much Kenny could do.  Now that Detroit signed Fielder, he’s just going to have to wait out the rest of Rios/Dunn/Peavy’s contracts and either start anew in 2014/2015 or he’ll be gone.

          The White Sox have a team that could potentially finish 2nd or 3rd in the division, but will probably remain 5-10 games under .500 for a couple years while contracts expire.

          Reply
          • Dock_Elvis

            13 years ago

            I highly question if KW will be around to build the next Sox winner.  Reinsdorf is incredibly loyal, and I’ll give him that…but at some point a change might be coming.  I’ll give KW this season, but his future isn’t looking too grand.

            He’s had an amazingly competitive run though…and outlasted changes all around baseball.  I’m not counting him totally out..cause I’d like to see the Sox succeed…but I get the general sense that with Ozzie gone…..there aren’t too many fall guys left.

            Reply
            • whitesoxfan424

              13 years ago

              I agree with everything you said except the fact that I feel the White Sox hired Ventura to try to lessen the blow of the team being terrible.  And with him managing for the first time, he becomes a fall guy.

              But by having another “fan favorite” from long ago, the fans will still support the team because Rockin’ Robin is managing… at least I hope so, not a lot of fans left it seems.

              Reply
              • Dock_Elvis

                13 years ago

                I’m not sure the White Sox are terrible, and they might improve on last season actually.  They just need to develop a game plan.  They have to come up with a price plan that doesn’t drive people out of the park.  The Saturday afternoon Dodger game last season drew maybe 15,000.  To me it’s ridiculous to have so many empty seats.  It’d be better to slash the ticket and try to make it up on the beer..rather than have seats sitting there.  People just can’t afford to go to games.  I do like that the Sox will give me about as many Kids Club tickets as I can use….but even then….it doesn’t give me or my boys a chance to even stroll the lower level.

                Teams get to this point at times.  The Sox are there and they’ll be back.  They have certainly been in worse places.

                Robin Ventura is interesting…he’s hilarious…and he’ll be fun to watch manage.  I don’t think he’ll take anything away from the team on the field…and he might even help.

                Reply
                • disgustedcubfan

                  13 years ago

                  Ventura is a nice guy, but he’s about as “interesting” as a slice of white bread.

                  Reply
                • rockfordone

                  13 years ago

                  I agree with you. 
                  Dunn usual year. .250 40 -120
                  Rios  usual year. .285 25 -95
                  Peavy 12-15 wins.
                  Beckham brake out year .295 25-85
                  Morel .265 25- 85
                  Infield best defense in AL.
                  Outfield Defense improved
                  AReed -35 saves.
                  White Sox a will be a huge surprise.

                  Reply
                • rockfordone

                  13 years ago

                  I agree with you. 
                  Dunn usual year. .250 40 -120
                  Rios  usual year. .285 25 -95
                  Peavy 12-15 wins.
                  Beckham brake out year .295 25-85
                  Morel .265 25- 85
                  Infield best defense in AL.
                  Outfield Defense improved
                  AReed -35 saves.
                  White Sox a will be a huge surprise.
                  Olsen just a Chi area kid their giving a chance – agent’s favor

                  Reply
                  • Ruppie Ray

                    13 years ago

                    yikes, that’s a little too crazy to consider. But yes, Dunn Rios and Beckham should improve. Don’t see Morel making the jump quite yet– forgot to mention Flowers and De Aza’s emergence. And don’t forget to plug in the Tank’s numbers. The Sox still don’t have the ace, but DO at least have a deep rotation.

                    Reply
                  • Dock_Elvis

                    13 years ago

                    That’s a situation where everything breaks right…and I guess it could happen..just like 2011 when everything broke wrong.  You’d also have to account for a little regression on some older players.  There are just too many unknowns right now and not enough givens…but I think Dunn going into last season was as close to a given as possible.

                    Reply
                  • Dock_Elvis

                    13 years ago

                    The only thing I’d say that doesn’t really stand a possibility of happening is Morel going deep 25 times

                    Reply
                • Ruppie Ray

                  13 years ago

                  Actually the Sox are doing just that, slashing ticket prices by as much as 30%. I do like the fact that they are replenishing the farm system and getting younger. Sale-Stewart-Molina look like a solid core behind Danks.  Anything Castro and Humber contribute should be gravy. That’s why I’m surprised the Tigers gave the 4th biggest contract to a DH/1b, the easiest position on the field to fill- considering Miggy was in place

                  Reply
                  • Dock_Elvis

                    13 years ago

                    They’d need to slash prices by 30% in quite a few seating locations just to be in line with most of the league.  Those outfield seats were typically $35-$45 face value which was absurd.  I know they went with a ticketing service that gauged market value atleast on some dates.

                    The Sox do allow for many coupon code dates….and the basic kids club is 100% free..when many clubs charge around $20.

                    The city adds a leisure tax onto the ticket price…so that’s 13% there.

                    My concern for the future is that MLB in general is turning baseball into TV programming…and there’s way too much competition there to grow the game with young people.  I enjoy the game on Tv..but people need to be able to get in and experience the game live…there’s nothing like it.

                    Reply
          • Dock_Elvis

            13 years ago

            I highly question if KW will be around to build the next Sox winner.  Reinsdorf is incredibly loyal, and I’ll give him that…but at some point a change might be coming.  I’ll give KW this season, but his future isn’t looking too grand.

            He’s had an amazingly competitive run though…and outlasted changed all around baseball.  I’m not counting him totally out..cause I’d liek to see the Sox succeed…but I get the general sense that with Ozzie gone…..there aren’t too many fall guys left.

            Reply
          • Ruppie Ray

            13 years ago

            Agreed. Meantime, Tigger got hoodwinked into bidding against themselves, the Nationals and their imaginary friends. Enjoy the signing while he’s still a spry young man!

            Reply
        • Joey Doughnuts

          13 years ago

          This move is so irrelevant it shouldn’t factor in to Kenny’s offseason moves at the slightest. This is literally not even on the radar.

          Reply
    • Ruppie Ray

      13 years ago

      Good luck with Fatboy in say….2016

      Reply
  4. alan104

    13 years ago

    Low risk with potential reward. Good signing.

    Reply
    • Ruppie Ray

      13 years ago

      you never know with Coop either. Humber and Floyd were also reclamation projects

      Reply
  5. WonderboyRooney10

    13 years ago

    I think this guy has anger issues if i remember correctly

    Reply
    • whitesoxfan424

      13 years ago

      I remember something of the sort, too.

      Reply
    • sourbob

      13 years ago

      Fought/had confrontations with: Randy Messenger, Joe Girardi, Miguel Cabrera, Chase Utley, Sergio Mitre. Fined for obscene gesture to fans in Milwaukee. Booked on DUI, speeding, resisting arrest in FLA.

      Reply
      • ellisburks

        13 years ago

        But other than that has he had anger issues?

        Reply
        • sourbob

          13 years ago

          Well, he did also tell the national media he “hated” the city of Philadelphia and all of its fans. And he publicly criticized Pirates management when he was displeased with talk that he might be asked to become a reliever.

          Other than THAT, I think he’s got a clean record.

          Reply
          • ellisburks

            13 years ago

            Well then what is everyone complaining about? He’s a perfect citizen.

            Reply
          • lolpods

            13 years ago

            well, who doesn’t think this stuff.

            Reply
        • Ruppie Ray

          13 years ago

          Ha. Then again the Sox seem to have some sort of rage whisperer program goin.  AJ, Carl the Truth Everett, Tony Phillips, Ruben Sierra, Danny Tartabull and Canseco all have had pleasant/uneventful stays on the South side after being labeled as problem kids. Contrast that with the blow up factor on the other side of town. Maybe they’ll spring Olsen on the Rangers for the beatdown reunion

          Reply
  6. FS54 2

    13 years ago

    Why did Nationals ever trade for him? I enjoyed Willingham in Nats uni, but this guy was a disaster. I don’t see how he can contribute anything to White Sox.

    Reply
    • lug

      13 years ago

      Probably will contribute to the Charlotte Knights though hence the minor league deal.

      Reply
  7. jwsox

    13 years ago

    MINOR LEAGUE DEAL PEOPLE stop acting like he is going to contribute at all to the MLB club. I love when teams sign guys to minor league deals and people question the gm as if it’s a bad thing.

    Reply
    • JimBaily

      13 years ago

      There’s not much risk in calling any move Kenny Williams makes as a bad one for the Sox.

      Reply
    • sourbob

      13 years ago

      I understand your frustration, but it’s not hard to see where these comments are really coming from today: today, it sucks to be a Sox fan gazing over at the Tigers. 

      Reply
      • Joey Doughnuts

        13 years ago

        If you thought the Sox had a chance BEFORE the Fielder signing, then you are a very blindly optimistic fan. Tigers adding Fielder is GOOD news for Sox fans. Sox weren’t going to compete until 2014 anyway. By that time, Prince will be about to turn 30 years old, and be making $24M a season. Prince will be at his best when the Sox are already at their worst. By the time the Sox start to get good again, Fielder will start to get bad, while still making heaps and heaps of money that will handcuff the Tigers payroll flexibility. The size of the Fielder deal and the timing was great for the Sox.

        Reply
        • Ruppie Ray

          13 years ago

          Yes, or put another way, when Adam Dunn comes off the books,  Tigger will still be on the hook for another $140 mill.  Mo Vaughn anyone?

          Reply
      • jwsox

        13 years ago

        It does not suck at all to be a whitesox fan. I’m sorry I’m a die hard but it’s not any worse to be a sox fan. Yeah prince signing suck but he really isn’t that much of an upgrade for them this year. Next season if they van figure a way to have aviles, v Mart, miggy, and prince yes that’s scary but the defense
        Might be bad enough that their bats can’t make up for it but that’s not till 2013. Any way the sox were going to be mediocre this season unless Gordon finally breaks out and Dunn. Rios, and peavy FINALLY. Bounce back but thats too
        Many question marks to think they were realistically going to be better than the tigers even before prince.

        Reply
      • jwsox

        13 years ago

        It does not suck at all to be a whitesox fan. I’m sorry I’m a die hard but it’s not any worse to be a sox fan. Yeah prince signing suck but he really isn’t that much of an upgrade for them this year. Next season if they van figure a way to have aviles, v Mart, miggy, and prince yes that’s scary but the defense
        Might be bad enough that their bats can’t make up for it but that’s not till 2013. Any way the sox were going to be mediocre this season unless Gordon finally breaks out and Dunn. Rios, and peavy FINALLY. Bounce back but thats too
        Many question marks to think they were realistically going to be better than the tigers even before prince.

        Reply
      • sourbob

        13 years ago

        I actually used the word today twice. In a row. Not sure how everybody missed that.

        Reply
      • sourbob

        13 years ago

        I only said it sucks to be a White Sox fan TODAY, as in, only in terms of, wow, the Tigers got Fielder, and the Sox got Scott Olsen; our rivals are becoming strong favorites to win and we got a headcase on a minor league deal.

        It wasn’t a complete evaluation of the two franchises and their chances, much less of how enjoyable it is/will be to be a fan of either over a prolonged period of time.

        I’m not a fan of either team, I was just feeling empathetic to Sox fans today.

        Reply
  8. JimBaily

    13 years ago

    There is not a single thing that Kenny Williams does well.
    Just sayin’…..

    Reply
    • Dock_Elvis

      13 years ago

      He tirades at Frank Thomas like a pro…

      Reply
      • ellisburks

        13 years ago

        You mean like a boss.

        Reply
        • Dock_Elvis

          13 years ago

          Williams was a little more verbal with the public than most GM’s would have been after Thomas left the Sox.

          Reply
          • ellisburks

            13 years ago

            Like a boss is a comedic song by Lonely Planet guys from Saturday Night Live. It’s on Youtube.

            Reply
            • jwsox

              13 years ago

              Lonely island not lonely planet

              Reply
            • jwsox

              13 years ago

              Lonely island not lonely planet

              Reply
    • Joey Doughnuts

      13 years ago

      Again, LOL at people somehow coming to conclusions after an incredibly insignificant MINOR LEAGUE DEAL like this. 

      Reply
  9. Adam Sager

    13 years ago

    I guess the ’05 season didn’t happen. 

    Reply
  10. popular_mechanics_for_pitchers

    13 years ago

    Phil Humber 2.0

    Reply
    • Joey Doughnuts

      13 years ago

      Ehhh, that’s REALLY thinking wishfully. Scott Olsen is not good at all, and his personality is even worse. At least Humber was a good guy to root for. 

      Reply

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