The Chicago White Sox have made a move to strengthen their bullpen, signing right-handed pitcher Joe Barlow to a minor league deal. The news, reported by MLB.com, reveals that Barlow, 28, has initially been assigned to Triple-A Charlotte but is expected to receive an invitation to major league spring training.

Barlow made his major league debut with the Texas Rangers in 2021 and had an impressive rookie season as a closer. Over the course of 31 games, he maintained an excellent earned run average (ERA) of 1.55. While his relatively high walk rate raised some concerns at 10.8%, he made up for it by striking out 24.3% of batters and notching 11 saves. In 2022, his ERA rose to 3.86, but he continued to show promise by saving 13 games and reducing his walk rate to 8.9%.

However, Barlow faced a challenging year in 2023. The Rangers bolstered their bullpen with the acquisitions of Will Smith, Aroldis Chapman, and Chris Stratton, which impacted Barlow’s performance. He only logged 9 2/3 innings for the Rangers, accumulating an ERA of 4.66. With most of his time spent in Triple-A, he was eventually claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals in August. In Triple-A, his struggles persisted, posting a 5.52 ERA over 44 innings. The Royals later outrighted him, allowing him to enter free agency.

Despite his setbacks in 2023, the White Sox view Barlow as a valuable addition to their roster. The team faced challenges last season, trading away several relievers and considering the potential transition of Garrett Crochet to a starting role. This creates opportunities for Barlow and other relievers to make their mark. If Barlow can regain his previous form, his experience as a closer makes him an enticing asset. Additionally, with two option seasons and less than two years of service time, the White Sox have the flexibility to retain him for the future if he performs well.