Padres Acquire Reliever Ron Marinaccio from White Sox for Cash

SAN DIEGO, Calif. — The San Diego Padres bolstered their bullpen Tuesday by acquiring right-handed reliever Ron Marinaccio from the Chicago White Sox in exchange for cash considerations. The move comes after the White Sox designated Marinaccio for assignment earlier in the week.

Marinaccio, 29, has appeared in each of the past three Major League Baseball seasons, all with the New York Yankees. Over that span, he has maintained a sub-4.00 ERA, including a composite 3.22 ERA with a 28.2% strikeout rate. However, his 12.6% walk rate has been a concern.

The right-hander, who averaged 93.6 mph on his fastball last season, pairs his heater with a changeup and slider, both of which sit in the low 80s. Marinaccio was claimed off waivers by the White Sox from the Yankees on Sept. 23 but did not appear in a game for Chicago.

Despite his solid track record, including a 3.35 ERA in 91 1/3 innings at Triple-A, the White Sox opted to move on from Marinaccio to make room for veteran innings eater Brad Keller. Marinaccio still has one minor league option year remaining and is under team control through the 2028 season.

Padres General Manager A.J. Preller expressed optimism about the acquisition. “Ron brings a proven track record and versatility to our bullpen,” Preller said in a statement. “We believe he can contribute significantly as we build toward the 2024 season.”

The addition of Marinaccio brings the Padres’ 40-man roster to 35 players. He is not eligible for arbitration until next offseason, providing the Padres with cost-controlled depth in their pitching staff.

Marinaccio’s departure from Chicago continues a trend of roster shuffling for the White Sox, who are in the midst of a rebuild. White Sox General Manager Chris Getz defended the move, stating, “We felt this was the best decision for our roster construction moving forward.”

The Padres, meanwhile, are looking to rebound after missing the playoffs in 2023. Marinaccio’s acquisition marks their first significant move of the offseason as they aim to strengthen their bullpen for the upcoming campaign.