{"id":152716,"date":"2026-02-15T00:19:29","date_gmt":"2026-02-15T00:19:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716"},"modified":"2026-02-15T00:19:29","modified_gmt":"2026-02-15T00:19:29","slug":"%f0%9f%9a%a8-breaking-white-sox-sign-former-mariners-reliever-to-minor-league-deal-a-low-risk-move-that-could-quietly-become-one-of-chicagos-smartest-bullpen-plays-if-the-veteran-r","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716","title":{"rendered":"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chicago White Sox<\/span><\/span> Add Veteran Arm, Sign Austin Voth<\/span><\/span> to Minor-League Deal<\/h2>\n
\n
\n
\"https:\/\/images.openai.com\/static-rsc-3\/FzulatMwtmlcmWJv1a-RtmK4mOapAT_VquI9Jee3asL3nIdPT_fiCBNKT-CDnzhFkEOEEFhsR4Ygqb75XWI_9Buz92ksN9fkNU4nY42YErE?purpose=fullsize&v=1\"<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"https:\/\/pacificleague.com\/img\/player\/2025\/playing_kv\/marines\/2025151.jpg.webp\"<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n
\"https:\/\/images.openai.com\/static-rsc-3\/38sofhctz95TDToH8Rxxgb9DQfvSxZAFwkkEssO6-2fItXVbbUAwWmxLTO_P_O0XelAwVv0acLe9Oe4wsizFor9tCduklHPi2WV6VZ8FBEw?purpose=fullsize&v=1\"<\/div>\n
\n
4<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Chicago White Sox<\/span><\/span> continue to search for bullpen depth as they prepare for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n

On Friday, the organization signed right-handed pitcher Austin Voth<\/span><\/span> to a minor-league contract.<\/p>\n

The 33-year-old will report to spring training as a non-roster invitee.<\/p>\n

While the move may not command headlines, it represents another calculated attempt to stabilize an evolving pitching staff.<\/p>\n

\n

A Return from Japan<\/h3>\n

Voth arrives in Chicago after spending the 2025 season overseas with the Chiba Lotte Marines<\/span><\/span> in Japan\u2019s Nippon Professional Baseball league.<\/p>\n

He made 22 starts and logged 125 innings.<\/p>\n

He posted a 3.96 ERA while recording 92 strikeouts.<\/p>\n

His strike-throwing remained reliable.<\/p>\n

However, a 17.4 percent strikeout rate and limited ground-ball production underscored the challenges of his first season outside affiliated baseball.<\/p>\n

Transitioning to NPB often demands adjustments in pitch sequencing and hitter approach.<\/p>\n

Voth\u2019s season reflected both adaptation and learning.<\/p>\n

\n

Draft Pedigree and Early Promise<\/h3>\n

Originally drafted by the Washington Nationals<\/span><\/span> in the fifth round of the 2013 MLB Draft, Voth signed for $272,800.<\/p>\n

He made an immediate impression in his professional debut.<\/p>\n

Across 46\u2153 innings in 11 starts that year, he posted a 1.75 ERA with 55 strikeouts.<\/p>\n

His steady progression through Washington\u2019s minor-league system included a standout 2016 campaign at Triple-A Syracuse, where he recorded a 3.15 ERA over 157 innings.<\/p>\n

That performance positioned him for his MLB debut in 2018.<\/p>\n

\n

Major League Highs and Lows<\/h3>\n

Voth\u2019s big-league career has been defined by fluctuation.<\/p>\n

In 2018, he struggled in limited action with Washington, posting a 6.57 ERA across four games.<\/p>\n

He rebounded in 2019, lowering his ERA to 3.30 over nine appearances.<\/p>\n

The shortened 2020 season proved difficult, as he recorded a 6.34 ERA.<\/p>\n

By 2021, he transitioned primarily into a bullpen role, finishing with a 5.34 ERA before being claimed by the Baltimore Orioles<\/span><\/span> in 2022.<\/p>\n

That move sparked one of the more productive stretches of his career.<\/p>\n

With Baltimore, Voth made 17 starts and five relief appearances, compiling a 3.04 ERA across 83 innings.<\/p>\n

In 2023, he returned largely to relief duties, logging a 4.94 ERA in 23 outings and spending time on the 60-day injured list.<\/p>\n

\n

A Heavy Workload in Seattle<\/h3>\n

Voth joined the Seattle Mariners<\/span><\/span> in 2024.<\/p>\n

He appeared in a career-high 68 games.<\/p>\n

He posted a 3.69 ERA with 61 strikeouts and 18 walks.<\/p>\n

For much of the season, he provided dependable middle-inning stability.<\/p>\n

However, a difficult September in which he recorded a 9.95 ERA altered his trajectory.<\/p>\n

Seattle ultimately chose not to tender him a contract.<\/p>\n

That decision paved the way for his move to Japan.<\/p>\n

\"Former<\/p>\n

\n

Why Chicago Makes Sense<\/h3>\n

The White Sox bullpen remains one of the more inexperienced units in the American League.<\/p>\n

Chicago has demonstrated willingness to explore undervalued arms.<\/p>\n

Recent examples include pitchers returning from overseas assignments who reestablished themselves in MLB environments.<\/p>\n

The organization hopes Voth can follow a similar path.<\/p>\n

His experience as both a starter and reliever offers flexibility.<\/p>\n

In spring training, he will likely compete for a long-relief role.<\/p>\n

Should injuries arise, he possesses the stamina to spot-start.<\/p>\n

Versatility enhances his appeal.<\/p>\n

\n

A Low-Risk Evaluation<\/h3>\n

Because the contract is a minor-league deal, the financial exposure remains minimal.<\/p>\n

If Voth proves effective in camp, Chicago gains affordable depth.<\/p>\n

If he struggles, the organization incurs limited downside.<\/p>\n

That structure aligns with a broader rebuilding framework.<\/p>\n

Teams in transitional phases often prioritize controllable upside over guaranteed expenditure.<\/p>\n

Voth represents exactly that type of opportunity.<\/p>\n

\n

The Road Ahead<\/h3>\n

Spring training will determine his immediate fate.<\/p>\n

He must demonstrate command consistency.<\/p>\n

He must limit hard contact.<\/p>\n

He must prove that his time in Japan refined rather than diminished his arsenal.<\/p>\n

The White Sox are not guaranteeing him a roster spot.<\/p>\n

They are granting him a chance.<\/p>\n

In a bullpen searching for stability and innings, that opportunity carries significance.<\/p>\n

If Austin Voth can recapture his 2022 form or replicate his early 2024 reliability, Chicago may quietly uncover a valuable piece for the 2026 campaign.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chicago White Sox Add Veteran Arm, Sign Austin Voth to Minor-League Deal 4 The Chicago White Sox continue to search for bullpen depth as they prepare for… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":152717,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-152716","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-mlb"],"yoast_head":"\n\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Chicago White Sox Add Veteran Arm, Sign Austin Voth to Minor-League Deal 4 The Chicago White Sox continue to search for bullpen depth as they prepare for...\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"NEWS USA\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-02-15T00:19:29+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"MrThanh\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716\",\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-02-15T00:19:29+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-02-15T00:19:29+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec\"},\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg\",\"width\":1080,\"height\":1080},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/\",\"name\":\"NEWS USA\",\"description\":\"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec\",\"name\":\"MrThanh\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"MrThanh\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=6\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","og_description":"Chicago White Sox Add Veteran Arm, Sign Austin Voth to Minor-League Deal 4 The Chicago White Sox continue to search for bullpen depth as they prepare for...","og_url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716","og_site_name":"NEWS USA","article_published_time":"2026-02-15T00:19:29+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1080,"height":1080,"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"MrThanh","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"MrThanh","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716","name":"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47 - NEWS USA","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg","datePublished":"2026-02-15T00:19:29+00:00","dateModified":"2026-02-15T00:19:29+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec"},"breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/avtnew-2026-02-15T071809.330.jpg","width":1080,"height":1080},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?p=152716#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"\ud83d\udea8 BREAKING: White Sox sign former Mariners reliever to minor-league deal \u2014 a low-risk move that could quietly become one of Chicago\u2019s smartest bullpen plays if the veteran rediscovers his late-inning edge. Insiders say this isn\u2019t just depth insurance, it\u2019s a calculated upside swing. The South Side might be hiding a comeback story in plain sight.. \ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47\ud83d\udc47"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#website","url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/","name":"NEWS USA","description":"Your Daily Dose of Sports News and Updates","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/850fd1b8bcb1d322b7f0a04b3d2f18ec","name":"MrThanh","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8c8f2d90ff2a21a61a5e6bc0619622a5021fc65353885d9d7b3db1c8c7c1ca8d?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"MrThanh"},"url":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/?author=6"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152716","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=152716"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152716\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":152718,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/152716\/revisions\/152718"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/152717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=152716"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=152716"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sportnews.azontree.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=152716"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}