White Sox retain trio, dump Hermanson

Last Updated: Monday, October 30, 2006 | 5:09 PM ET

CBC Sports

The Chicago White Sox exercised options Monday on Mark Buehrle, Jermaine Dye and Tadahito Iguchi, but bought out the contract of Dustin Hermanson.

Buerhle, 27, will make $9.5 million US next season after finishing 12-13 with a 4.99 earned-run average and one complete game in 32 starts this season.

Jermaine Dye topped the White Sox with 44 home runs this season.
(Amy Sancetta/Associated Press)

Although he was named an American League all-star, it was his first losing record in seven major-league seasons, all with the White Sox.

Dye, 32, hit .315 with a team-high 44 home runs, 120 runs batted in and 103 runs scored in 146 games.

The 32-year-old right-fielder will pocket $6.75-million US in 2007 unless he negotiates a contract extension this off-season.

Iguchi, 31, played second base for the White Sox last season, averaging .281 with 18 HRs, 67 RBIs and 97 runs in 138 games. 

He will be paid $3.25 million US next season, his third in the majors following an eight-year stint with the Fukuoka Hawks of the Japanese Pacific League.

Hermanson was Chicago's closer, posting 34 saves in 2005, before inflammation in his lower back shelved him most of the year.

The 33-year-old managed just six relief appearances, yielding three runs and one walk with five strikeouts over six innings.

Sophomore Bobby Jenks was handed the role and racked up 41 saves, allowing only 66 hits with 80 strikeouts in 69 2/3 innings.

Hermanson, who was slated to make $3.65 million US next season, received a $500,000 US buyout.