Black Sox Beat Writer
Chicago Sports Online
The Chicago Black Sox have signed relief pitcher Juan Alfonzo, one of the team’s steadiest performers over the last three years, to a 2-year contract extension.
Alfonzo will earn $2 million this coming season, and $2.5 million in 2042.
Juan Alfonzo
“I’m pleased to be staying with the Sox,” Alfonzo said. “This has been a good spot for me.”
Alfonzo, who earned $850,000 last year, had one of his best seasons for the Sox in 2040, pitching largely in middle relief and going 4-4 with 5 saves and a 2.75 ERA in 85 innings. He moved into the closer role late in the season when the Sox waived with Pavel Bure, Jr. after a largely ineffectual year.
“That’s the thing about Juan,” said pitching coach Art Messer. “He’s versatile and he’ll do whatever is required – and do it well.”
Alfonzo came to the Sox in 2036 in a trade with the Long Beach Surfers, and has been a bullpen mainstay ever since. He was the team’s closer for most of 2039 after Justin Archer went down for two months with a shoulder injury.
He’s not worried about which role he’ll fill next season.
“I know there are a couple of guys ahead of me for closer, and that’s fine,” said Alfonzo, 25, of Mobile, AL. “So long as I’m pitching, I don’t care which inning it’s in.”