White Sox acquire pair of relievers from Dodgers

The White Sox made their first trade of 2018, bolstering their bullpen by acquiring two veteran relievers in a three-team trade with the Kansas City Royals and Los Angeles Dodgers.

Finally.

Rick Hahn and the White Sox have made their first trade of the offseason, filling two big holes in the major league bullpen.

Chicago has dealt minor-league infielder Jake Peter to the Dodgers in exchange for left-handed reliever Luis Avilan and right-handed reliever Joakim Soria. Soria was acquired from the Royals who also received reliever Scott Alexander for pitching prospect Trevor Oaks in a separate deal.

Peter was drafted by the White Sox in the 7th round of the 2014 MLB draft from the University of Creighton. Peter hit .292 in 45 games at Triple-A Charlotte last season, and is now ranked as the Dodgers #30 prospect (MLB Pipeline).

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The White Sox, who dealt five bullpen arms last summer, get much-needed bullpen help with the deal.

Avilan, 28, is under control through 2020. Avilan was a key contributor in the Dodgers bullpen last season, pitching to a 2.93 ERA in 61 games before missing the postseason with shoulder inflammation.

Avilan will likely assume the role as a late-inning reliever. Avilan held left-handed hitters to a .195 batting average, so Avilan will likely also be the White Sox situational lefty.

Soria, 33, is a two-time all-star. The righty pitched to a 3.70 ERA for the Royals last season, but used to be one of the most dominant relievers in the MLB.

Soria notched 42 and 43 saves in each of his all-star seasons (2008 and 2010), and now joins and a familiar foe in the White Sox, as Soria pitched for both the Kansas City Royals and Detroit Tigers.

Soria will certainly be in the mix to be the White Sox closer in 2018, and will look to re-gain his form as one of the best relief pitchers in baseball.

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Rick Hahn has done it again. After a slow offseason, Hahn picked up two established relievers for a relatively low price. Soria and Avilan will both look to be key contributors for the South Siders in 2018 and beyond.