MLB rumors: Sox have 'stayed in touch' with Alex Colomé originally appeared on NBC Sports Chicago
How open are the White Sox to maintaining the status quo in their bullpen?
According to one report, they've "stayed in touch" with Alex Colomé, the free-agent closer who worked as the South Side ninth-inning man in 2019 and 2020.
But there's could be plenty of competition, according to FanSided's Robert Murray, who reported that the Houston Astros, Boston Red Sox, Washington Nationals and Minnesota Twins are among the teams who have shown interest in signing Colomé to be a part of their relief corps. Indeed, the idea of Colomé ending up with the White Sox division rivals from the Land of 10,000 Lakes is an interesting one.
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The White Sox have a host of talented arms in their bullpen, and therefore a number of internal options to take on closing duties should that be necessary. But perhaps the best way to assure the relief corps remains a strength heading into a 2021 season with championship expectations would be to install a proven, veteran pitcher in the ninth inning.
And certainly bringing Colomé back on a free-agent deal would fit that bill. He was excellent in his two seasons on the South Side after being acquired in a trade that sent catcher Omar Narváez to the Seattle Mariners two offseasons ago. Colomé saved 30 games for the White Sox in 2019, then had a tremendous 2020 campaign, saving a dozen games and posting a pencil-thin 0.81 ERA.
All told, the newly 32-year-old Colomé has 138 saves since the start of the 2016 season.
There are other attractive closers on the free-agent market, of course, with Liam Hendriks leading the class. He was sensational for the Oakland Athletics the last two seasons, with a combined 39 saves and a 1.79 ERA. Brad Hand, the All-Star closer formerly of the Cleveland Indians, is also a free agent.
