The White Sox have signed righty Al Alburquerque to a minors deal, Dan Hayes of CSN Chicago reports on Twitter. He’ll report to Triple-A Charlotte.
Alburquerque, 31, becomes the latest veteran reliever to join a Chicago organization that is stockpiling arms after a flurry of deadline activity. He’ll join veterans such as Mark Lowe, Jean Machi, and Danny Farquhar as recent additions to the depth chart.
Most recently, AlburquerqueĀ pitched with the Royals. He took his free agency after losing his roster spot following ten innings of 3.60 ERA ball. He’s still throwing 94 and getting swings and misses, though his career-long walk problems were also still evident. That said, Alburquerque did manage to allow only 1.7 BB/9 in his 26 Triple-A frames on the year, over which he also recorded 9.7 K/9 while carrying a 2.08 ERA.
notagain27
I saw where the Twins have used their 30th different pitcher in Minnesota and 36 different pitchers in AAA. I would think the White Sox have to be close to that number as well.
trace
Best name in baseball.
KillahAC
Yes!!
Phillies2017
In the majors I agree, but if Joey Pankake ever makes it to the show, he claims it easy.
GareBear
Mark Hamburger makes a good run for someone that has made the majors.
bleacherbum
The Padres have a guy in the minors named Henry Henry. Now that is going to be a fun name if he ever gets to the bigs.
layventsky
Same with Sicnarf Loopstok.
chasfh 2
This looks like a name created by OOTP 18.
lesterdnightfly
If Joey Pancake makes it to the show, his GM will flip him……
lesterdnightfly
Don’t forget Rock Shoulders.
ib6ub9
Can’t wait til September when there is 20 pitchers in the pen. Pitching changes every hitter. Lol
xabial
The longness this guy’s last name makes up for the shortness of his first name Lol
geg42
Love the name. Wish the Rockies would sign him and send him to the Albuquerque Isotopes.
GareBear
I’ve thought this since he was with the tigers
Aaron Sapoznik
The “best name” in baseball joining the “worst name”! lol
cxcx
Someone’s gotta call in to Mike Francesa to see what he thinks about the move.
Strauss
Of course they signed him. They are in tank mode.
Aaron Sapoznik
It’s apparent the White Sox are still hopeful of consummating more trades from their pitching staff during the August waiver period…
Sign all the Cubans
Amazing that this arsonist continues to get chances.
I don’t have anything personal against the guy, but with his reputation for melting down at really bad times, it’s crazy that he can still find work.
That all said, it’s only a minor league deal, so I guess low risk, high reward.
hyraxwithaflamethrower
I think you missed the part where the White Sox are trying to suck. They’ll probably bring him up because they need someone terrible to throw innings for them, especially if they manage to trade someone else.
comebacktrail28
If the white sox keep loosing in the future we can be looking at a Burger/Beer DH/1B combo
Aaron Sapoznik
Ha-ha, although the current plan is for #1 2017 June Draft pick Jake Burger to stick at 3B with #2 selection Gavin Sheets playing 1B. Both are off to excellent pro debuts and are currently teammates with the White Sox A-Kannapolis affiliate.
Aaron Sapoznik
Btw-The White Sox selected an advanced college arm with their 3rd round pick in the 2014 June Draft, LHP Jace Fry. He was their #20 overall prospect back in 2015 before succumbing to yet another elbow reconstruction following TJ surgery during his freshmen season at Oregon State. He is now fully recovered at pitching well as a southpaw reliever at the White Sox AA affiliate in Birmingham.
Perhaps White Sox fans will see a Burger/Fry combo come 2019 or 2020, perhaps along with Seth Beer as a DH.