CHICAGO -- While making the free-agent signing of free agent utility man Emilio Bonifacio official, the Chicago White Sox also announced Thursday that outfielder Jordan Danks was designated for assignment.
The club needed to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Bonifacio, and Danks ended up being the odd man out.
Bonifacio was added on a one-year, $4 million deal. He will make $3 million in 2015, with a $4 million club option for 2016. There is a $1 million buyout on the 2016 option.
The versatile Bonifacio was one of only 10 position players to see time at seven or more positions, including designated hitter, during the 2014 season. He got off to a hot start last season with the Chicago Cubs, batting .313 in April, and finished the season batting .259 with 47 runs scored and 26 steals combined between the Cubs and Atlanta Braves.
“Emilio brings an excellent mix of versatility, speed and experience to our club which will provide (manager) Robin (Ventura) with additional flexibility with the roster this year,” general manager Rick Hahn said in a release. “We expect Emilio’s ability to switch hit, help at multiple positions and steal a base to be very beneficial to us.”
Bonifacio looks to be lined up as the club’s fourth outfielder behind Melky Cabrera, Adam Eaton and Avisail Garcia, although Dayan Viciedo still is with the club. Bonifacio can also back up at shortstop and be an insurance policy at second base in case the move to either Carlos Sanchez or Micah Johnson doesn’t pan out immediately.
Danks, the younger brother of White Sox pitcher John Danks, has appeared in 180 games over three seasons with the White Sox. The former seventh-round draft pick has a .227 batting average in the major leagues with eight home runs, 26 RBIs and 41 runs scored.
