Earlier this week, the White Sox signed OF-R Jermaine Dye to a two-year, $10.15M contract with a $1.15M buyout on a $6M option for 2007. The deal sets his base salary at $4M in 2005 and $5M in 2006. Chicago plans to plug Dye into the outfield hole created by OF-R Magglio Ordonez's departure.

Dye possesses solid plate discipline, substantial power, and useful speed. Unfortunately, injury troubles limited his production over the last three seasons. Moving from Network Associates Coliseum to U.S. Cellular Field should provide a boost to Dye's numbers, but the 30-year-old will need to remain healthy throughout the course of this contract to earn his salary. Furthermore, he's a poor fit for the White Sox, who possesses an abundance of right-handed bats.

On December 8th, Chicago signed RHP Dustin Hermanson to a two-year, $5.5M contract with a $500,000 buyout on a $3.5M option for 2007. The deal sets his salary at $2M in 2005 and $3M in 2006. Provided he remains healthy and effective, RHP Shingo Takatsu will continue to serve as the White Sox's closer. Hermanson will pitch the seventh and eighth innings as a setup man, topping the White Sox's list of relievers for save opportunities if Takatsu falters. Pitching in relief slightly accentuates Hermanson's minor control difficulties, but as long as Chicago fields a decent defense, the 31-year-old should retain the effectiveness he displayed with San Francisco last season. I expect this signing to work out well for the White Sox.

In late November, LHP Kevin Walker agreed to a one-year, $525,000 contract with Chicago. However, only the first $100,000 of the money is guaranteed should he fail to make the team out of spring training. The deal also includes $25,000 bonuses for reaching the benchmarks of 65 and 70 appearances.

At the moment, the White Sox plan to open the season with a bullpen of Takatsu, Hermanson, RHP Cliff Politte, LHP Damaso Marte, LHP Neal Cotts, and RHP Jon Adkins. Consequently, Walker's chances of guaranteeing his full contract rest on an injury to one of the lefties or a very poor spring performance by Cotts combined with an impressive performance by Walker. I would like to see Cotts return to the minors to continue working as a starter, but Chicago appears thoroughly attached to the idea of leaving him in relief. Unfortunately, Walker does not warrant a steady major league job due to his control problems despite his impressive strikeout rates. While I do not expect the 28-year-old to break camp with the White Sox, Chicago likely will call upon Walker as an injury replacement or fresh arm during the season.

Chicago avoided arbitration with RHP Jon Garland by signing the starter to a one-year, $3.4M contract in mid-November. Although Garland displayed slight improvement with regards to his control in 2004, the 25-year-old's skills remain unremarkable. He nevertheless serves an important function as a decent innings eater at the end of the rotation, and I generally disapprove of non-tendering players, so I find this contract acceptable.

Elsewhere in the American League Central, Cleveland re-signed RHP Bob Wickman to a one-year, $2.75M contract in late November after declining his $5M option in October. Wickman's new deal includes provisions for him to earn up to an additional $750,000 in incentives of an undisclosed nature. Continued elbow trouble delayed Wickman's 2004 debut until July, but he pitched effectively after joining the club, and the Indians plan for him to continue to close. I'm not convinced of the 35-year-old's health, however at this salary, he's a worthwhile risk for Cleveland.

In late October, the Indians re-signed RHP Scott Elarton to a one-year, $850,000 contract. Under the terms of the deal, he can earn up to another $150,000 in innings pitched based incentives. As a fly ball pitcher with questionable control, Elarton's a risky option as an innings eater. Considering Cleveland appears prepared to plug him into the back of their rotation rather than using that slot to audition young talent, I strongly disapprove of this signing.

Cleveland's also signed OF-L Andy Abad, SS-R Erick Almonte, OF-L Jeff Liefer, and RHP Steve Watkins to minor league contracts. Abad possesses solid plate discipline and modest power skills, but neither the Red Sox nor the Pirates provided him with a substantial opportunity to break into the majors. I do not expect the 32-year-old to find steady work with the Indians, but Cleveland offers more of an opportunity for him to find a position as a reserve outfielder than his previous organizations.

Almonte may have missed his shot at a distinguished starting career, but he possesses the skills to spend several years as a useful middle infield reserve. Playing for AAA Colorado Springs in the Pacific Coast League, Almonte hit .318 with a .402 OBP and .507 SLG on 143 H, 26 2B, 4 3B, and 17 HR with a 64:87 BB:K and 14/22 SB% in 450 AB in 2004. If he manages similar numbers for AAA Buffalo in the International League in 2005, the 26-year-old might find a mid-season opportunity with the Indians.

Due to his greater major league service time, Cleveland likely will consider Liefer for outfield playing time before Abad. Liefer's minor league numbers indicate solid plate discipline and substantial power, but those assets are less apparent in the 30-year-old's major league at-bats.

Watkins made his major league debut with the Padres in 2004, pitching solidly with the exception of a couple of outings. However, while the 26-year-old has posted impressive strikeout rates in the minors, the Indians' pen appears fairly crowded, so he'll need to impress at AAA to even receive a mid-season promotion.