robneyer ‏@robneyer 2m2 minutes ago

 

and yes, as I've been helpfully reminded, Duke did change his pitching style significantly this year: http://www.foxsports.com/wisconsin/story/d...-royalty-051414 …

Hope this signing works out. I'm sketchy of one year doing well after not being real effective your entire career. But if he's truly turned a corner good.

Dan Hayes ‏@CSNHayes 13m13 minutes ago

 

Rick Hahn: “Very early on, we identified Zach as one of the best left-handed free agents available this offseason." #WhiteSox

‏@zach_duke

 

I am so thrilled to be joining the @whitesox family! This team has some elite young talent! Can't wait to get started!

 

Atta boy Duke. He sees the young talent Hahn is building.

Agreed 100%.

 

Ditto. As much as I like Miller and think he has absolutely electric stuff, that's a huge difference in money and it's not exactly like Miller had much of a successful history prior to a year or two ago.

Doug Padilla ‏@ESPNChiSox 49s49 seconds ago

 

White Sox's deal with Zach Duke is for three years and $15 million.

Jeff Keppinger II.

Can somebody photoshop him into either the General Lee, or the Bush's Baked Beans commercial where the dog is always trying to reveal the secret recipe?

 

Seriously, I'm so glad there's a guy named Duke on the Sox.

Atta boy Duke. He sees the young talent Hahn is building.

 

He sees the $15 million Hahn offered him as well.

Jeff Keppinger II.

 

Teahen III

Ditto. As much as I like Miller and think he has absolutely electric stuff, that's a huge difference in money and it's not exactly like Miller had much of a successful history prior to a year or two ago.

 

He sure didn't have $25 million worth more of a history, that is for sure.

Jeff Keppinger II.

 

You should be thrilled, they aren't going cheap any more...

Ya I have a hard time getting angry about the 3rd year, if we have to eat 5.5 mill then oh well. That said, definitely a bit of an overpay but as others have said we were going to have to spend a little money on the pen and I'd rather go with Duke for 15 total than Miller for 40(if he gets around there of course).

You eat Duke, you eat Keppinger, guess what that adds up to?

You eat Duke, you eat Keppinger, guess what that adds up to?

$4.73.

You eat Duke, you eat Keppinger, guess what that adds up to?

 

I don't know. Yoko Ono?

 

You're going to have to tell us.

You should be thrilled, they aren't going cheap any more...

No, this is exactly what I don't want. Signing one year wonders who are over 30 and have been released a couple of times the last 2 years.

 

Coming into this season, the White Sox didn't think he was worth 1/5 of what they paid Scott Downs or they could have signed him for exactly that. Now he's worth $15 million over 3 years?

You eat Duke, you eat Keppinger, guess what that adds up to?

Cannibalism.

CQ just sold his house in California.

 

Surely he's the next big "value" addition to the off-season...just because it's going to drive Dick Allen crazy when they bring in a bat like Butler, Rasmus, Morse or anyone NOT named Victor Martinez for $8-12 million per season over 2-3 years.

 

Frankly, if Zach Duke's getting this kind of money, I can't imagine what we're going to have to pay for a 3/4 middle-of-the-rotation starter.

 

 

 

Playing devil's advocate to raise a point here.

 

Is it double standard that we constantly use WAR to grade players nowadays, but when it comes to actually paying the players, we aren't thrilled to pay $10 mil for a 2 WAR player but are fine with $5 mil for a 1 WAR player? Even without looking at WAR, Miller is still a 8th inning/ closer material while Duke is more of a 7th/8th inning guy.

 

If you want to argue about years here, Miller will be 33 at the end of a 4 year deal and Duke will be 36 at the end of this deal.

At a facility with blocked Wi-Fi, so I can't read the Facebook note link. Is that their way of announcing it, or do you still think there's more coming?

No, this is exactly what I don't want. Signing one year wonders who are over 30 and have been released a couple of times the last 2 years.

 

Coming into this season, the White Sox didn't think he was worth 1/5 of what they paid Scott Downs or they could have signed him for exactly that. Now he's worth $15 million over 3 years?

 

No more minor contracts with invites to spring training! They are spending that $189 million!

Playing devil's advocate to raise a point here.

 

Is it double standard that we constantly use WAR to grade players nowadays, but when it comes to actually paying the players, we aren't thrilled to pay $10 mil for a 2 WAR player but are fine with $5 mil for a 1 WAR player? Even without looking at WAR, Miller is still a 8th inning/ closer material while Duke is more of a 7th/8th inning guy.

 

If you want to argue about years here, Miller will be 33 at the end of a 4 year deal and Duke will be 36 at the end of this deal.

 

Duke will be 34 at the end of the deal.

 

He turns 32 next April.

The LHRP market is not very deep, so this is what it's going to cost. 5 million a year on average won't prevent us from making other moves, so the amount is not an issue.

 

Ken Rosenthal ‏@Ken_Rosenthal 3m3 minutes ago

 

#WhiteSox liked Duke’s results after he lowered arm angle last season. Mixed in cutter more, similar results vs. RH and LHs, Ks, grounders

No, this is exactly what I don't want. Signing one year wonders who are over 30 and have been released a couple of times the last 2 years.

 

Coming into this season, the White Sox didn't think he was worth 1/5 of what they paid Scott Downs or they could have signed him for exactly that. Now he's worth $15 million over 3 years?

 

Hopefully the difference here is that the White Sox believe that what he changed last year is both significant and sustainable.

 

I get what you're saying, and I agree in premise -- but at least with this guy we have reason to believe he legitimately made a change that raised his true talent level.

No, this is exactly what I don't want. Signing one year wonders who are over 30 and have been released a couple of times the last 2 years.

 

Coming into this season, the White Sox didn't think he was worth 1/5 of what they paid Scott Downs or they could have signed him for exactly that. Now he's worth $15 million over 3 years?

 

On top of that duke was a non roster invite with a 850,000 dollar deal with the Brewers. Has one good year and now makes 15 million over 3 years.

Edited November 18, 201411 yr by WhiteSoxLifer