White Sox sign Bummer to 5-year deal, Leury Garcia to 1-year pact
The Chicago White Sox and lefty reliever Aaron Bummer agreed to a five-year, $16-million extension with two club options that could extend the deal through 2026, the club announced on Saturday.
Bummer gets the largest extension in MLB history given to a non-closing reliever who has yet to qualify for salary arbitration, according to Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY Sports.
Bummer will receive $1 million in 2020, $2 million in 2021, $2.5 million in 2022, $3.75 million in 2023 and $5.5 million in 2024. The White Sox hold options for $7.25 million in 2025 and $7.5 million in 2026, with $1.25 million buyouts for either season.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 22, 2020
The 26-year-old authored a 2.13 ERA in 58 games for Chicago last season. His 27 holds put him in a tie for sixth-best among American League relievers.
White Sox assistant general manager Jeremy Haber said the team and Bummer’s agent started exchanging figures in late January, according to James Fegan of The Athletic.
Meanwhile, the White Sox and infielder Leury Garcia also agreed on Saturday to a one-year, $3.5-million contract with a 2021 club option.
García will receive $3.25 million in 2020, while the White Sox hold a $3.5-million option for 2021 with a $250,000 buyout. García, 29, previously had agreed to terms on a one-year, $3.25-million contract on January 10 to avoid arbitration.
— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) February 22, 2020
Garcia hit .279 with eight home runs and 40 RBIs in 140 contests for the South Siders during the 2019 campaign.