As expected, the White Sox have exercised their 2011 options on reliever Matt Thornton and catcher Ramon Castro.
Thornton will earn $3 million next season, which is an incredible bargain for one of the best relievers in baseball. He has ERAs of 2.67, 2.74, and 2.67 over the past three seasons and this year held opponents to a .191 batting average while posting an 81/20 K/BB ratio in 60.2 innings. He could be asked to move from setup man to closer in 2011 if the White Sox part with Bobby Jenks.
Castro will get $1.2 million in 2011 after making $800,000 to hit .278/.328/.504 in 128 plate appearances as A.J. Pierzynski’s backup behind the plate this season. He might be stretched in an everyday role, but the 34-year-old Castro is an ideal backup for a left-handed-hitting catcher and gives the White Sox a solid fallback option with Pieryznski headed for free agency.
