The Chicago White Sox yesterday added a pair of veterans with World Series rings on their resume.
The Chisox signed Kelvin Herrera to a 2-year, $18 million contract with an option for 2021. After 7½ seasons with the Kansas City Royals during which he earned a World Series ring in 2015, Herrera was dealt to the Washington Nationals in June. He would be sidelined with a broken left foot in September, but is expected to be ready for spring training. Herrera, who turned 29 on New Year's Eve, saved a combined 17 games for the Royals and Nationals in 2018 and will compete for the closer's role along with holdover Nate Jones and Alex Colome who was acquired from the Seattle Mariners last month.
Also coming to the South Side of Chicago is outfielder Jon Jay who split the 2018 season with the Kansas City Royals and Arizona Diamondbacks. Jay, who turns 34 in March, spent the bulk of his career with the St. Louis Cardinals where he earned a World Series ring in 2011 and spent a season each with the San Diego Padres and the Chicago Cubs. In a combined 143 games in 2018, Jay hit .268 with 4 HR and 30 RBI. Despite modest productivity, Jay can play any outfield position. It also doesn't hurt that he is a close friend of Manny Machado in case acquiring his brother in law Yonder Alonso wasn't enough.
It all depends on whether Machado wants to win now or is prepared to wait a few years. After spending a significant part of the season with a team that lost a MLB worst 115 games, he ended up playing in his first World Series only to make the last out. At 26, Machado might be a young man in a hurry. In which case, Yankee pinstripes or Phillie crimson might be a more likely destination. But blood (and friendship) could prove thicker than water and be more liquid than money.
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