The White Sox signed LHP Damaso Marte to a three-year, $4.5M contract earlier this week. Marte reportedly will receive a salary of $500,000 in 2004, $1.25M in 2005, and $2.25M in 2006, however games finished escalators in the contract could increase each of those numbers by up to $500,000. Chicago holds a $3M option for 2007 and another for 2008. Although $250,000 buys the White Sox out of both options, Chicago can choose to pick up only the first while paying a $250,000 buyout on the second.

I'm a little skeptical of Marte's salary this year, since the 29-year-old wouldn't have been eligible for arbitration until after the 2004 season. However, in return for providing Marte with financial security and a little more pocket money this year, the White Sox were able to lock him up for what should be at least a reasonable salary and what might be a big bargain.

Barring a surprise in spring training, RHP Billy Koch will open the season as the White Sox's closer. Koch could lose his job during the season, but I suspect he'll pitch effectively if healthy, remaining as Chicago's closer until his contract expires after the season. I don't have a lot of faith in RHP Shingo Takatsu, so once the season is underway, I believe his name will drop off the list of potential closers. Consequently, if Koch loses the job, RHP Cliff Politte and Marte will be the primary major league options to replace him. Even though he's a lefty, I suspect White Sox's manager Ozzie Guillen will give the Dominican Marte the first shot at the job.

Marte's strikeout skills earned him this contract, as he's struck out over a batter an inning for the last three years. His walk rate was somewhat troubling last year and might have been a problem if not for the support he received from the Chicago defense. On the other hand, he's demonstrated solid control in the past, so I'm not overly concerned about the extra walks. I'm more anxious about his low G-F, though it hasn't translated into a homer problem over the past couple of seasons. At the very least, I expect he'll remain effective as a left-handed specialist throughout the contract.