NewsWhite Sox ink Kotsay to one-year deal
Versatile veteran to earn $1.5 million next season
By Kelly Thesier / MLB.com
11/05/09 11:53 AM EST
Mark Kotsay will be back in a White Sox uniform for the 2010 season. The White Sox announced Thursday that they had agreed to terms with Kotsay on a one-year, $1.5 million contract. Kotsay, who would have been eligible to file for free agency, combined to hit .278 with four home runs and 23 RBIs in 67 games with the Red Sox and White Sox in 2009. He was traded to the White Sox on July 28 in exchange for outfielder Brian Anderson. Following the deal, Kotsay batted .292 with three homers and 18 RBIs in 40 games for Chicago. The move to bring back Kotsay was not a surprise. White Sox manager Ozzie Guillen specifically expressed at the end of the '09 season that he wanted Kotsay back for 2010. Kotsay provides the club with a lot of versatility, as he can be used as an outfielder, first baseman and designated hitter. In addition to his production on the field for Chicago, Kotsay also emerged as one of the club's veteran leaders following the trade, and he was well-liked within the White Sox clubhouse. A 13-year veteran of the Major Leagues, Kotsay has a career average of .281 with 113 home runs. Since the start of the 1998 season, Kotsay ranks third among all Major League outfielders with 114 assists, trailing only Bobby Abreu (121) and Vladimir Guerrero (115). Kotsay also owns a .342 (26-for-76) lifetime average as a pinch-hitter, which is the fourth-highest mark among active players with at least 50 pinch-hit at-bats.Kelly Thesier is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.
