The White Sox retained speedy outfielder Derek Hill on a one-year contract while non-tendering outfielder Mike Tauchman, first baseman Tim Elko and left-hander Cam Booser on Friday.
Hill, claimed off waivers from the Marlins on Sept. 24, returns on a split contract. He’ll make $900,000 if he’s in the Major Leagues, or $450,000 in Minors, according to a source.
Hill was eligible for arbitration for the first time this winter after playing parts of six seasons with the Tigers, Nationals, Rangers, Giants and Marlins. He hit .216/.281/.328 this past season over 57 games between Miami and Chicago, but his defensive work, including 5 Outs Above Average in center field according to Statcast, raised his bWAR to career-best 1.1. He also rates well on the bases, with a 99th percentile sprint speed.
Tauchman hit .263/.356/.400 with 17 doubles, nine home runs, 40 RBIs and a 1.9 bWAR over 93 games after signing a one-year, $1.95 million contract with the White Sox as a free agent last December following two years with the Cubs.
Elko, a former 10th-round Draft pick by the White Sox, hit .167 (9-for-67) with four home runs and eight RBIs over 23 games in his first Major League work. His first MLB homer was a go-ahead three-run drive off Miami’s Sandy Alcantara on May 11. The 26-year-old underwent surgery last month to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
Booser, acquired from the Red Sox last winter, pitched in 39 games over four stints with the White Sox this past season, striking out 35 batters over 31 innings to go with eight holds, one save, a 2-4 record and a 5.52 ERA.
The moves bring Chicago’s 40-man roster to 34 players.