I think Zach Duke is a fine reliever. I ranked him eighth among all free agent relievers last week. However, for as much as I like Duke, I don’t like him enough to sign him to a three-year, $15 million contract, which the Chicago White Sox just did.
Zach Duke's contract is three years for $15 million per the #WhiteSox.
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 18, 2014
The breakdown for Zach Duke's deal: $4.5 million in 2015; $5m in 2016 and $5.5m in 2017. #WhiteSox
— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) November 18, 2014
I’m not going to trash Zach Duke’s 2014 performance. In 58 2/3 innings, he pitched to a 2.45 ERA, struck out 74, and walked 17. The southpaw equally dominated both lefties and righties. But let’s call a spade a spade – he’s a middle reliever that probably won’t toss more than 60 innings. Not only that, but he’s had one good season as a reliever in his career – this past year. He’s not say, Mike Adams, who was a great (and injury-plagued) reliever for several seasons before cashing in. Duke has performed well in relief for just one season, and the White Sox are banking on that performance being worth $15 million over the next three seasons.
Sure, Duke’s contract isn’t nearly as bad as the contract given to Boone Logan by the Rockies last winter, but that doesn’t mean his deal is good. And sure, the White Sox had a disastrous bullpen last year, but investing $5 million per year in one reliever isn’t suddenly going to make the pen better. Remember the Scott Linebrink fiasco? Four years, $19 million, and a 4.28 ERA in 159 2/3 innings over three seasons with Chicago. Duke should be better than that, but I wouldn’t be shocked if he’s worse.
