Matt Lindstrom Agrees to Sign with White Sox

Hard-throwing reliever Matt Lindstrom has agreed to sign a one year contract with the Chicago White Sox. The deal, according to CBSSports.com’s Jon Heyman, contains a club option for a second year. The deal is pending Lindstrom’s passing a physical. Financial details have not yet been made public.

(Image Credit: Joy R. Absalon-USA TODAY Sports)

Lindstrom, a soon-to-be 33 year old right-hander, split the 2012 season between the Baltimore Orioles and Arizona Diamondbacks, throwing 47.0 innings on the year. He posted a 2.68 ERA, 1.255 WHIP, 7.7 K/9 and 2.7 BB/9 over 46 appearances. Baltimore, who had acquired him just before the start of Spring Training a year ago, flipped Lindstrom to the D’backs in late August in the deal that brought them Joe Saunders. For his career he’s 13-15 with 45 saves across 326.0 innings, adding a 3.64 ERA, 1.414 WHIP and 7.3 K/9.

Chicago’s bullpen appeared set, but Lindstrom adds another veteran arm to help fill out the staff alongside Matt Thornton and Jesse Crain. He also adequately replaces Brett Myers, who the team allowed to leave via free agency this winter to little surprise. Add in Addison Russell and Nate Jones and the team appears to have a strength to lean on towards the end of games, which could certainly bode well for a White Sox team hoping to compete in the AL Central in 2013.

Lindstrom earned roughly $3.6 Million this past season, but after being non-tendered after the season it’s unclear what he may be earning on this deal with the White Sox. In all likelihood the deal won’t be paying him significantly more than that amount, further making this a nice deal for the Sox in the long run if he’s able to produce for them. At worst, they could potentially look to move him at the July trade deadline if they aren’t in contention.