CHICAGO (AP) Pitcher Dustin Hermanson and the Chicago White Sox agreed Wednesday on a two-year, $5.5 million contract that contains a club option for 2007.

 

Hermanson, who became the Giants' closer in August and saved 17 games in the stretch, was not offered arbitration by San Francisco.

 

Hermanson will be paid $2 million in 2005 and $3 million in 2006 with the club holding an option for 2007 at $3.5 million. There is a buyout of $500,000.

 

The 31-year-old right-hander was 6-9 with a 4.53 ERA in 47 games, including 18 starts, with San Francisco last season. He opened the year in the rotation, going 4-4 with a 4.59 ERA.

 

Hermanson broke in the majors in 1995 with the Padres and has also pitched with the Expos, Cardinals and Red Sox.

Interesting. They plan on using him in a setup role, which is one thing he had told the Giants he didn't want. He had said he wanted either a guaranteed starting job or guaranteed closing job.....

very nice

Reported in Hot Stove....

I wouldn't be suprised to see him close eventually, people started to figure out how to hit Shingo's crap at the end of last season.

 

Anyways, we needed bullpen help and I like bringing in Hermanson, I think he will do a nice job.

Interesting. They plan on using him in a setup role, which is one thing he had told the Giants he didn't want. He had said he wanted either a guaranteed starting job or guaranteed closing job.....

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I think by the time he realized nobody would give him a chance to do either, it was too late to re-sign with us.

IMO it's a little much, but he will help the Sox