Jul 4, 2014; St. Louis, MO, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Dan Jennings (43) throws to a St. Louis Cardinals batter during the seventh inning at Busch Stadium. Cardinals defeated the Marlins 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
The Chicago White Sox are back at it on Day 3 of the MLB Winter Meetings with another trade involving pitching.
Chicago has traded Andre Rienzo, a right-handed pitcher, for left-handed reliever Dan Jennings.
What is good about this deal is this move makes the bullpen better again with the acquisition of Jennings (6-3, 210), as he was very productive in his 47 appearances last season.
Though he was 0-2, that stat really isn’t that important. What is important, though, is the 1.34 ERA in 40.1 innings pitched with the Marlins in ’14. The fact he’s still only 27 is a good sign as well, as hopefully he’s entering the prime of his pitching career.
Jennings did have 38 strikeouts and also tallied three holds for the Marlins. For his 116 MLB appearances, Jennings has a 2.43 ERA and 84 strikeouts.
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In losing Rienzo, the White Sox are giving up a RHP who had a 6.82 ERA in 18 games last season, which included 11 starts. He spent eight seasons in the White Sox organization.
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In a press release from the White Sox, GM Rick Hahn said of Jennings:
"“We are pleased to add a pitcher like Dan to our restructured bullpen. He provides our bullpen with more depth and gives Robin another viable left-handed option.”"
Again, I’m all in favor of any move that will improve on a bullpen that had 21 blown saves and was inconsistent most of last season. Also this offseason, the White Sox have added free agents Zach Duke and David Robertson to the bullpen mix.
This bullpen will no question be better, but I still believe they are just a couple middle relief pitchers away from possibly being one of the most competitive pens in all of baseball.