Today in White Sox History: January 4
The South Siders find a starter and a closer — in the same pitcher!
1941
The White Sox made a brilliant purchase from Washington in picking up Joe Haynes — but at the time, nobody would have known it. Just 23 but a veteran of two full (and poor) seasons with the Senators, Haynes may even have been hurt, as he saw action in just eight games in 1941. But he came right back in 1942, serving as the club’s closer and leading the American League in appearances (40) and games finished (35), logging six saves. From there, Haynes gradually moved more toward a rotation role, peaking in 1947, when he led the AL in ERA (2.42) and was seventh in pitching WAR (4.0) while starting 22 games and finishing five.
All told, Haynes put up 12.4 WAR over eight seasons and a shade over 1,000 innings. After the 1948 season, the White Sox swapped Haynes to Cleveland — but Washington, seemingly eating its heart out since letting their righthander go lo so many years earlier, assembled a trade to get him back just weeks later.
1993
The Sox signed oft-injured outfielder Ellis Burks to a one-year contract. Burks would have a breakout season in 1993, and finally stop the revolving door in right field — at least for that season.
Burks hit 17 homers with 71 RBIs for the year, hitting .275. He caught the final out to clinch the division title that season, as well. In the six-game ALCS Burks hit .304 with seven safeties, including a double and a home run, and drove in three runs. He also walked four times.
Unfortunately, GM Ron Schueler wouldn’t give Burks the multiyear deal he was looking for after the season; the outfielder left for Colorado, where he became an All-Star.
2018
It might have seemed like an an odd trade for a tanking/rebuilding team to make, but the White Sox were made an offer they couldn’t refuse: Two veteran relievers for a journeyman minor-leaguer in a three-team swap. When two teams want to give you free stuff, you gotta take it.
The White Sox received cash and Joakim Soria from Kansas City, and got some more cash and Luis Avilán from the Dodgers. What did the White Sox give up? Nothing to the Royals, and Jake Peter to Los Angeles.
GM Rick Hahn has made three-team trades his strength, and while the gains here were minor, this was a trade win. Soria posted 16 saves in 40 games, and a 2.56 ERA/1.0 WAR before getting flipped to Milwaukee in July 2018. Avilán was a solid support southpaw out of the pen (3.86 ERA, 0.2 WAR) before getting flipped to Philadelphia a month later.
Peter never played a day in the majors.