The Chicago White Sox traded away Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets in a trade involving Luisangel Acuna. They cleared $20 million in salary and had some money to work with.
The plan was to spend that money this offseason, and while there are not a lot of free agent options that would be worth it, the White Sox, just a few days after the Robert trade was completed, found their $20 million replacement.
According to ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the White Sox are set to spend $20 million over two years on former Philadelphia Phillies, Toronto Blue Jays, and Baltimore Orioles flame-throwing righty reliever Seranthony Dominguez.
White Sox to spend $20M on ex-Phillies, Blue Jays hard-throwing righty reliever
“Right-handed reliever Seranthony Dominguez and the Chicago White Sox are in agreement on a two-year, $20 million contract, sources tell ESPN,” Passan reports.
This deal for the righty reliever is spending the freed-up $20 million from the Robert trade all in one move. But, instead of a rental, the White Sox are getting a new reliever for two years.
Passan also revealed an important role for Dominguez, in that the righty will close games for the White Sox going forward.
Dominguez is 31 years old and coming off a solid year in 2025 for the Orioles and Blue Jays. He had a 3.00 ERA with Toronto in 24 outings, while he had a 3.24 ERA in 43 outings for the Orioles last season.
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In his MLB career, the seven-year veteran has a 3.55 ERA in 322 games. He’s been a consistent reliever in the Majors, and with his incredible fastball, he can be a solid closer for the White Sox over the next two years.
What this deal also does is open the door to having a very valuable trade candidate if needed. He might not be dealt, but if he were to be traded, the White Sox could fetch a strong return for a dominant reliever like Dominguez.
This is a very exciting signing for the White Sox, and it helps to build upon an underrated offseason from a team many have written off in recent years.
