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White Sox Sign Corey Knebel, Dominic Leone

By Steve Adams | February 13, 2024 at 10:25am CDT

The White Sox announced Tuesday that they’ve signed veteran right-handed relievers Corey Knebel and Dominic Leone to minor league contracts. Both will be in big league camp as non-roster invitees.

Knebel, a client of Excel Sports Management, didn’t pitch last season after suffering a capsule tear in his shoulder with the Phillies late in the 2022 campaign. He pitched 42 2/3 innings of 3.43 ERA ball with the Phils that season and saved a dozen games. The 32-year-old been severely limited by injuries in recent years, including Tommy John surgery that wiped out his 2019 season and a lat strain that sent him to the 60-day IL and kept him to just 25 2/3 innings with the Dodgers in 2021.

Lengthy as Knebel’s injury track record is becoming, there’s little questioning his ability when healthy enough to take the mound. A 2017 All-Star who saved 39 games for the Brewers and led the NL with 76 appearances, Knebel has a career 3.26 ERA and 31.8% strikeout rate in 306 2/3 MLB frames. His 11.2% walk rate is too high, but he’s worked around that flaw with plenty of missed bats and weak contact over the years. His 3.17 SIERA and 3.44 FIP both generally align with his strong ERA, and if Knebel is back to full strength he could be a nice low-cost bullpen pickup for a rebuilding ChiSox club.

Leone, also 32, pitched for the Mets, Angels and Mariners in 2023, working to a combined 4.67 ERA with a 23% strikeout rate and 11.9% walk rate in 54 innings. It wasn’t his best work by a long shot, although Leone’s 2.33 HR/9 mark and jarring 21.2% homer-to-flyball rate both seem due for regression toward his career levels (1.06 and 11.8%, respectively).

Looking beyond the shaky bottom-line results, Leone, who’s represented by ACES, maintained his velocity (95.7 mph average fastball) and posted respective swinging-strike and opponents’ chase rates of 16% and 35.3% — both excellent numbers. Prior to the ’23 campaign, he’d enjoyed a nice two-year run with the Giants, working to a 2.71 ERA in 103 frames with similar K/BB numbers and velocity. The spike in home runs last season was Leone’s primary downfall, and while a potential move to the launching pad at Guaranteed Rate Field won’t help in that regard, he’s had success in homer-friendly venues like Toronto in the past. On a no-risk minor league deal, he’s a perfectly sensible addition.

The White Sox traded righty Gregory Santos and lefty Aaron Bummer this offseason, subtracting two of the only locks for their bullpen from the roster in exchange for a plethora of younger players. They also could deploy Garrett Crochet as a starting pitcher, further thinning out the bullpen mix. Knebel and Leone will join fellow veteran Jesse Chavez as the most interesting NRIs in camp this spring. That trio will compete for roster spots in a relief corps where free-agent signees John Brebbia and Tim Hill are currently the only experienced names with any semblance of consistent MLB success.

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Chicago White Sox Transactions Corey Knebel Dominic Leone

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Red Sox Pursuing Outfield Additions
View Comments (52)
Post a Comment

52 Comments

  1. The Voices

    2 years ago

    Good. Most underrated fanbase/stadium/team/history/city in all of mlb.

    6
    Reply
    • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

      2 years ago

      Overrated*
      Comiskey Field is a s—hole. They actually allowed someone to get shot. They’re not even the 5th most popular Chicago team. I’m sure a lot of people would rather and women’s football team higher than the White Sox…. sorry “soccer”

      2
      Reply
      • ponytail01

        2 years ago

        A fat person hid a gun in her rolls of fat and shot herself. Facts matter

        8
        Reply
        • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

          2 years ago

          Two people were shot. Either way it’s still not a stadium. They canceled the vanilla ice concert without telling anyone. His 15 fans were highly disappointed

          1
          Reply
        • Franklin

          2 years ago

          Wow ” 15 fas for vanilla? T5 who have time to waste?

          Reply
      • southsidejoe

        2 years ago

        Comiskey Field is way better than Fenway Stadium,, Yankee Coliseum, or the Dodger Dome.

        Lost all credibility in your first three words.

        1
        Reply
        • Logjammer D"Baggagecling

          2 years ago

          Never heard of any of those stadiums.

          Reply
      • SoxBulldog2

        2 years ago

        Comiskey field? You’re an idiot your opinions don’t matter

        1
        Reply
      • nrd1138

        2 years ago

        ‘Comiskey Field’? Cubs fans are bad enough. ‘Casual’ Cubs fans are even worse.

        Reply
    • HalosHeavenJJ

      2 years ago

      I’ll say this. I didn’t expect a lot when I visited and was wary of going to the area.

      I really enjoyed the game experience and the stadium food. We sat next to regulars who told us the best food items and were great.

      It’s not my favorite ballpark but I’d gladly go back.

      3
      Reply
    • Augusto Barojas

      2 years ago

      Go away Kentucky. Everything you say is the opposite of the truth. Winning a playoff series in one season during the past 50 and one World Series in the past century is not an underrated “history”.

      This team is a cesspool, owned by one of the cheapest human beings alive. Hence one full season over .500 in the past 10.

      Reply
    • SoxBulldog2

      2 years ago

      Used to be. Maybe one day will be again. Right now nobody loathes this team and org more than its own fans

      1
      Reply
  2. San Farhancisco

    2 years ago

    Already contenders to be the closer.

    3
    Reply
  3. Buff Barnacles

    2 years ago

    Love having Leone in the Big Leagues! An excellent durable swingman

    1
    Reply
  4. LambchoP

    2 years ago

    Give us Cease and start your rebuild in earnest!

    4
    Reply
    • Aiden Awe

      2 years ago

      Twins need more hitters than pitchers.

      2
      Reply
  5. vaderzim

    2 years ago

    I hope Evil Knebel makes the roster.

    8
    Reply
  6. Yanks2

    2 years ago

    Yawn

    Reply
  7. Jefferspin

    2 years ago

    Give me all the Dominics!

    2
    Reply
  8. SweetBabyRayKingsThickThighs

    2 years ago

    Hope Knebel is healthy. Leone was too homer prone last year he gave up 14 longballs.

    2
    Reply
  9. Big Hurt

    2 years ago

    I’m a huge Sox fan, but… Right now, they are like that guy who hates his job, knows his life isn’t great, and spends his paycheck on lottery tickets. I mean, one of them could hit and he could live on Park Avenue! ;0)

    6
    Reply
    • Aaron Sapoznik

      2 years ago

      It’s just too bad that hitting on one player won’t help this current White Sox team very much. They’ll need a few home runs (another recent team issue) to compete this year even in the weak AL Central.

      2
      Reply
    • cwsOverhaul

      2 years ago

      Not to be outdone by new Asst GM Barfield (from Dbacks) suggesting trade to get Fletcher as a RF possibility, new pitching guru Bannister (from Giants) suggests Leone since his brief success was under his time in SF.
      Getz at least knows what he doesn’t know in being secure enough to hire respected personnel from other organizations as a rookie GM.

      11
      Reply
      • SoxBulldog2

        2 years ago

        We’ll see. Mena could’ve been overpay for Fletcher. Time will tell

        Reply
    • YankeesBleacherCreature

      2 years ago

      They did that with Luis Robert Jr. and am choosing to furnish a mansion with Ikea and sidewalk furniture.

      1
      Reply
      • Big Hurt

        2 years ago

        Robert was a $26M signing, so that’s a bit more expensive than the lottery tickets they’re going after now.

        Reply
  10. Camikey

    2 years ago

    Gonna be a long season on the South Side. If I was a Chisox fan I would be begging them to deal Cease. His value is only gonna go down as he gets closer to free agency, and the chances of them re-signing him are close to zero.

    3
    Reply
    • Dogbone

      2 years ago

      Camikey, do you really think Cease would even consider signing again with the Chisox?
      Not to even ask, if you believe Reinsdorf would offer a competitive salary bid.

      Reply
      • Camikey

        2 years ago

        I think that Cease would consider it, but they money has to be right, and as you mention, ownership isn’t likely to pony up the cash.

        Reply
    • cwsOverhaul

      2 years ago

      No deal is better than rushing to settle on a bad deal. Cease is incredibly durable, and the chances of key starters on decent teams getting hurt or FO’s realizing certain members of its rotation are unacceptably bad is basically 100%.
      The guy has 2yrs of super motivation and great stuff to land a huge contract with his shark agent.
      Someone will be very happy they add him.

      3
      Reply
      • Camikey

        2 years ago

        Sure, but they almost have to deal him by this trade deadline. A team will offer WAY more in terms of prospect capital for the chance to add Cease for two playoff runs as opposed to one. In my opinion, they really have to take the best they can get for him this season, and then move onto the rebuild in earnest. Robert gives them one of the best building blocks in the game… they need to keep that dude for sure.

        Reply
        • cwsOverhaul

          2 years ago

          The first team to put a legit headliner on the table that hurts will get him. It will be in the form of a SP prospect that can pitch rather than max effort throw 100 or a well-rounded ready/near ready position player prospect (not boom or bust type). Everyone is 0-0, so no one is feeling the urge to trade yet for Cease or Marlins pitchers.

          2
          Reply
      • mohoney

        2 years ago

        Unless the key starter who gets hurt is Cease…

        Reply
        • cwsOverhaul

          2 years ago

          Then it is. He hasn’t missed a start in his career. You don’t trade for less in that sort of fear unless the guy you have is injury prone (eg. Bieber). Fans of teams that want to add a starter like to throw it out there, but the decision makers aren’t swayed.

          Reply
    • SoxBulldog2

      2 years ago

      Wait for summer trade deadline. His bloated 2022 era due to awful defense and even worse culture is gonna go down in 24. Even though the bats will likely be lacking for this 24 squad, the defense should be unequivocally improved. So the Trade deadline very well could yield higher return. It’s always a risk though, barring injury. But his durability since his old TJ has been solid so I think it’s worth the risk.

      Reply
  11. Rob66

    2 years ago

    Seems like a couple of good signings. Too bad Leone couldn’t go to the Rays. They have the history of showing guys how to better use their stuff.

    1
    Reply
  12. whitesox2112

    2 years ago

    Garbage signings, It’s gonna be a long fkn year on Southside. Trying to find lighting in a bottle. Bring on the 100 losses now

    1
    Reply
    • Aiden Awe

      2 years ago

      Well they lack pitching depth in the first place.

      Reply
  13. Very Barry

    2 years ago

    I am hearing that Caleb Williams is a White Sox fan. Huge if true. Absolutely Huge! Gonna have to figure out which game he is gonna throw out the first pitch at.

    1
    Reply
  14. Doral Silverthorn

    2 years ago

    I’m a big Vaughn guy, but it’s time to poop or get off the pot this season. Out of excuses.

    1
    Reply
  15. Mickey Solis

    2 years ago

    Knebel is like every other MLB player on the planet except for maybe Bellinger/Seager: great in his brief time with the Dodgers, worthless anywhere else. Surprised he didn’t go crawling back to LA like fellow trash reliever/human Joe Kelly.

    Reply
    • cwsOverhaul

      2 years ago

      That minor league Yordan Alvarez fellow also turned out pretty good that Houston got from Dodgers.

      Reply
    • stymeedone

      2 years ago

      Knebel did quite well for the Brewers.

      Reply
  16. Fisherman 4:19

    2 years ago

    Just in.. Pedro Grifol also being replaced by the sought after Morris Buttermaker to really bring the line up together

    Reply
  17. Jump 84

    2 years ago

    Dont stop now boys. Sell the team or how about nashville. Bad brand of baseball your putting out there from low minors to the bigs.

    Reply
  18. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    2 years ago

    ChiSox take the opener in Detroit?
    How proactive are they in Detroit. Harris must be a huge Avila fan. He doesn’t have to do-nothing.
    Fans will continue to pour thier hearts out in utter disappointment.
    At least in Chicago, the cow will kick over a laturn now and again.

    Reply
    • The Saber-toothed Superfife

      2 years ago

      *lantern
      Dmn Pokémon

      Reply
    • The Saber-toothed Superfife

      2 years ago

      Someone revive Mrs O’Learys’ cow.
      Please

      Reply
  19. The Saber-toothed Superfife

    2 years ago

    At least in Chicago, the cow will kick over a lantern now and again, every once in a while.

    In Detroit, we just get utter disappointment.

    1
    Reply
  20. CALgoldenBears

    2 years ago

    Dominic Leone #foreverGiants also joining the Chisox

    Reply
  21. nrd1138

    2 years ago

    Ahh, a reminder of the ‘throw it at the wall and see what sticks’ plan in action.

    1
    Reply
  22. Franklin

    2 years ago

    I can’t get Getz drift on ” rebebuilding the Sox team. Certainly can’t seem to find some younger established but many who having been around for awhile.

    Reply

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