Aug 24, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; Miami Marlins relief pitcher Brad Penny (33) prepares to throw in the sixth inning against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
It is being reported the Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a minor league contract with starting pitcher Brad Penny.
Chris Cotillo of SB Nation tweeted the following:
Penny received a minor league deal from #WhiteSox, per source. Has chance to compete for rotation spot in spring training.
— Chris Cotillo (@ChrisCotillo) December 16, 2014
In his article on Penny, Cotillo wrote the following:
"“Penny will receive an invitation to major-league spring training, and will likely have a chance to compete for the a rotation spot.”"
Last season, Penny pitched for the Miami Marlins, where he was 2-1 with a 6.58 ERA in eight games (four starts). He pitched just 26 innings in the majors the past two seasons (all last season) as he didn’t pitch in the majors in ’13.
In ’12 with the Giants, Penny pitched in 22 games out of the bullpen (28 innings), where he had a 6.11 ERA. In ’11 with the Detroit Tigers, Penny in 31 starts was 11-11 with a 5.30 ERA.
For his career, Penny is 121-101 with a 4.29 ERA in 1,925 innings pitched.
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Signing Penny to a minor league contract isn’t that big of a risk, where it has a chance for a reward more than anything. If he can work with Don Cooper and Co. and maybe regain some of the past success he had in his earlier days with with Marlins and the Los Angeles Dodgers, then why not take a chance this spring on Penny?
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Plus, some competition for Hector Noesi could be a good thing for the young pitcher as he’ll most likely be competing with the veteran Penny and possibly the No. 1 prospect in the organization in Carlos Rodon, who could either impress enough for the No. 5 starter’s job or a spot in the bullpen.
Noesi last season was 8-11 with a 4.39 ERA in 28 games (166.0 innings pitched).
Competition is a good thing, and having Penny around can only help the young pitchers of the White Sox staff. Penny has the experience, and if nothing else, maybe the younger pitchers can learn a thing or two from him this spring.