Javy Guerra avoids arbitration; will be key player in bullpen
June 8, 2014; Anaheim, CA, USA; Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Javy Guerra (41) pitches the fifth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox have avoided arbitration with three more players since doing the same with Dayan Viciedo earlier this week.
The three most recent players to join Viciedo in gaining a new one-year contract are Javy Guerra, Nate Jones and Hector Noesi, all three being right-handed pitchers.
I like this move by the White Sox because of the three pitchers, the one I’m really looking forward to seeing in the bullpen this upcoming season is Guerra, because he’ll pitch in a different role in ’15.
Plus the deal is inexpensive in baseball money, with Guerra receiving $937,500 for the one-year deal.
In ’15, Guerra was 2-4 with a 2.91 ERA in 42 appearances in his first season with the White Sox. Guerra had one save in six opportunities and pitched a total of 46.1 innings in the majors.
FanGraphs.com wrote the following about the percentage of pitches Guerra pitched this past season: fastball (57.8%), slider (21.6%), curveball (16.4%) and changeup (4.1%).
The press release for the arbitration deal of Guerra says:
"“(Guerra) also made 14 appearances with Class AAA Charlotte before his contract was purchased on May 20. The 6-foot-1, 190-pound Guerra is 6-9 with a 2.91 ERA (48 ER/148.2 IP) and 30 saves in 143 appearances over four major-league seasons with the Dodgers (2011-13) and Chicago (2014).”"
For this upcoming season, most likely Guerra won’t have to make those six appearances as a closer for the White Sox since they’ve signed David Robertson to a four-year deal as a free agent.
Guerra could be, or is a wild card type of pitcher for the White Sox, and one I believe will make a good difference for the bullpen in ’15 in a role of coming in earlier in the ball game, which is good for all involved.
Guerra did have 39 strikeouts and held opponents to a .246 batting average. He had a WHIP of 1.32 last season, so with those numbers I believe it is safe to say Guerra will have a nice impact on the roster this upcoming season.
Again, I like all three moves made by the White Sox on Thursday, and it will be very interesting to see just how Guerra plays this season, especially since he’s just on a one-year deal with the White Sox.
What are your thoughts on the contracts?
In other White Sox news:
• Bleacher Report wrote about the biggest winners and losers from the White Sox offseason.
• CBS Sports had some fantasy baseball outlooks foe the White Sox.
• CBS Chicago wrote about the White Sox signing Brian Anderson, a former 1st round pick by the White Sox in ’03.
• The Chicago Sun-Times also wrote about the Anderson minor league deal.
• CSN Chicago says Robertson wants to be the “rock” of the bullpen.
• At SS, writer Brian Draus asked if the White Sox and Jeff Samardzija will extend their current deal.
• Also at Southside Showdown it was talked about the White Sox announcing the will retire Paul Konerko‘s No. 14 on May 23.