Dodgers Team News

Dodgers News: Ronald Belisario Signs One-Year Deal With White Sox

ronald_belisario_5_largeThe Dodgers broke even today on their free agent relief pitchers with the news of Brian Wilson re-signing and the reports that Ronald Belisario is headed elsewhere.

Belisario wasn’t tendered a contract Monday night and became a free agent after spending four seasons with the Dodgers.



According to Mark Gonzales of the Chicago Tribune, the former Dodger reliever is headed to the southside of Chicago:

The Chicago White Sox agreed to a one-year, $3 million contract Thursday with free agent reliever Ronald Belisario.

The contract comes hours after the Dodgers came to terms with right-handed reliever Brian Wilson on a one-year deal. The deal brings Belisario more money than the $2.3-2.5 million he was expected to get in arbitration in Los Angeles and comes just days after he was allowed to walk.

The Dodgers weren’t expected to pursue Belisario after an inconsistent year out of the bullpen. After a strong 2012 season, the right-hander came in as one of the top arms at manager Don Mattingly’s disposal; however, he struggled all season and lost time to Wilson, Chris Withrow and even Carlos Marmol late in the year. He finished with a 5-7 record, a 3.97 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 77 appearances. In the playoffs, the right-hander had a 7.36 ERA in seven games. Belisario spent four seasons with the Dodgers from 2009-2013, missing the 2011 season with problems getting his visa.

Belisario will be joining a bullpen that finished 23rd in the majors in ERA and lost 36 games for the White Sox last season. His job with the team is unknown but it would be expected to be a normal, middle relief role. The 30-year-old has never pitched in the American League and joins former Dodger Ricky Nolasco in the AL Central.

Even with the signing of Wilson, the Dodgers are still in the market for another reliever and Belisario got a nice pay raise.

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ICYMI: The Dodgers and Dan Haren agreed to a one-year deal earlier in the off-season

Vincent Samperio

Vince is currently the Associate Editor and Social Media Manager for Dodgers Nation. Hailing from San Pedro, CA and a student at Cal State Long Beach, Vince has previously written for the Daily 49er and LASF Magazine.

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