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White Sox sign Ryan Raburn to Minor League Deal

By Rob Hill

May 11, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Ryan Raburn (6) in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2016; Denver, CO, USA; Colorado Rockies left fielder Ryan Raburn (6) in the third inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Isaiah J. Downing-USA TODAY Sports /
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White Sox sign veteran outfielder to minor league deal. The outfielder was notorious for killing the South Siders when he played against them.

The notorious Ryan Raburn has turned from bad guy to good guy as Bruce Levine reports that Raburn has signed a minor league deal with Chicago White Sox.

Raburn, 35, was released by the Cincinnati Reds before the team broke camp to start the regular season. According to the Cincinatti Enquirer, Reds manager Bryan Price stated Raburn was the “odd man out” as the team will have a four man bench.

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Levine has reported that Raburn will be assigned to Triple A Charlotte. There is a very good chance that Sox fans will see the versatile Raburn at some point this season. With a thin bench at the big league level, guys like Cody Asche and Matt Davidson can be released or sent down due to performance issues. Davidson would have to clear waivers as he’s out of options.

If Raburn were to have his contract purchased at some point during the season, he would provide much added versatility to the bench and a veteran presence to a young Sox club house. Raburn, like other utility man Leury Garcia, can play almost any position on the diamond when asked. His fairly reliable bat also brings some nice platoon options for White Sox manager Rick Renteria.

Ever since Raburn made his MLB debut back in 2004, it always seems like he saved his best performances when he faced the team from the South Side. Raburn a career .253/.317/.436 hitter, hit well above his career averages against the Sox. Raburn owns a .296/.344/.518 slash line  against the South Siders and is known as the notorious “Sox Killer” according to longtime White Sox broadcaster Ken “Hawk” Harrelson.

Next: Will Matt Davidson Become Full-Time DH?

Raburn turns it out especially at Guaranteed Rate Field. He is a career .318 hitter at “The Rate” and fans can only hope those numbers stay on the same path when and if Raburn ever plays on the South Side with a Sox uniform on. .

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