BTB on the Lastings Milledge signing

Price @ BTB:

People look at [Lastings] Milledge like he’s a bust, but that implication of uselessness isn’t really fair to him. After a rough start to last season, Milledge adjusted and batted .291/.346/.405 in his final 322 plate appearances from May 1 through the end of the season. He hits southpaws much better than right-handers, but so does Jeff Francoeur and he got $2.5 million in guaranteed money on a Major League deal. …

UPDATE: J.J. Stankenvitz explains why Lastings should be the 4th outfielder.

UPDATE #2: Ken Rosenthal tweets:

Milledge’s salary with White Sox will be $500,000 when he is in majors. Minor-league deal. No incentives.

White Sox finalize Alexei Ramirez extension

Merkin @ CWS:

A contract extension has been reached between the White Sox and [Alexei] Ramirez for four years, $32.5 million, with a $10 million option for the fifth year. The new deal was officially announced Thursday.

The White Sox picked up the 2011 option on Ramirez’s contract in early December, giving Ramirez a base salary of $2.75 million, after he opted out of the final year of his four-year deal that would have paid him $1.1 million.

Here’s the contract breakdown from the press release:

The Chicago White Sox and Silver Slugger Award-winning shortstop Alexei Ramirez have agreed to terms on a four-year, $32.5-million contract extension which includes a club option for the 2016 season.Under terms of the deal, Ramirez will receive $5 million in 2012, $7 million in 2013, $9.5 million in 2014 and $10 million in 2015. The club holds a $10-million option for 2016, which includes a $1-million buyout. Ramirez still will earn a base salary of $2.75 million in 2011 as per the terms of the original four-year contract he signed with the White Sox on January 22, 2008.

White Sox sign Lastings Milledge

whitesox.com:

The White Sox agreed to terms with outfielder Lastings Milledge on a Minor League contract that includes an invitation to Major League Spring Training, the club announced Thursday.

nice move Kenny!

UPDATE: J.J. Stankenvitz explains why Lastings should be the 4th outfielder.

UPDATE #2: Ken Rosenthal tweets:

Milledge’s salary with White Sox will be $500,000 when he is in majors. Minor-league deal. No incentives.