White Sox ink Damaso Marte

[WebHamster]

Tucson, AZ (Sports Network) - The Chicago White Sox Tuesday agreed to terms on a three-year contract with pitcher Damaso Marte. Marte agreed to a deal worth $4.5 million with club options for $3 million per year in 2007 and 2008 with a $250,000 buyout.

Marte would have been eligible for arbitration from 2004 to 2006 and could have become a free agent following 2007.

"Given Damaso's versatility and future potential, we are very pleased to consummate a deal that gives him some well-earned security and the club some cost certainty for potentially the next five seasons," said general manager Ken Williams.

Marte was acquired from Pittsburgh in a trade prior to the 2002 season. The 29-year-old posted a 4-2 record with a 1.58 earned run average over 79 2/3 innings in 2003. The lefthander also had 11 saves and 87 strikeouts in 71 appearances.

Marte has a career record of 5-5 with a 2.97 ERA. He pitched in five games for Seattle in 1999 and 23 with the Pirates in 2001 before the trade.