As the Chicago White Sox look to rebuild their roster in 2024, they have brought in former closer Joe Barlow on a minor league deal.
With spring training less than a month away, the Chicago White Sox have signed former Texas Rangers closer Joe Barlow to a minor league contract.
As reported by MLBTradeRumors:
The White Sox have signed right-hander Joe Barlow to a minor league deal, according to his transactions tracker at MLB.com. For the time being, he is with Triple-A Charlotte, but he is expected to get invited to major league Spring Training.
Barlow worked in 66 games for the Rangers during the course of the 2021 and 2022 seasons, saving 11 games in 2021 and 13 in 2022.
His career took a sharp turn in 2023, as he was limited to just nine games as the Rangers won the World Series. Although he did not throw for the Royals in the majors, he finished the previous season in the organization.
Barlow may return to the major leagues in 2024 if the White Sox are a team with plenty of opportunities on their roster. Chicago has switched over the bullpen under new general manager Chris Getz, sending Aaron Bummer to the Atlanta Braves and turning down Liam Hendriks’ club option.
The White Sox were fourth in the American League Central in 2023, and they are expected to be among baseball’s lowest teams once more in the upcoming season. There is cause for optimism for the South Side’s future, though, given the intriguing prospects that were acquired through the trades of Lance Lynn, Kendall Graveman, and other players during the trade deadline last year, as well as the players acquired in exchange for Bummer.