The saying “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure” applies to the pitiful White Sox. The team claimed reliever Ron Marinaccio off waivers from the New York Yankees this afternoon and optioned him to AA Birmingham. While it seems like a relatively insignificant move in the scheme of things, claiming the 29-year-old right-handed reliever is a savvy move for a White Sox ballclub looking for all the help they can get.
Marinaccio’s Strong MLB Track Record
Marinaccio has a fairly strong MLB track record. In 101 games over three big league seasons, he carries a respectable 3.22 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 10.8 K/9. Marinaccio has struck out 28.2% of the MLB hitters he has faced while holding them to a .184 batting average against. He was a productive member of the Yankees bullpen for several years.
Gradual Decline
Marinaccio’s numbers have slipped recently, especially from his 2022 rookie campaign which was the best season of his MLB career. His K% has dropped from 30.9% to 25.3% from 2022 to 2024, while opposing hitters’ exit velocity has increased from 84.5 MPH to 89.2 MPH over the same span. His whiff% has also decreased from 33.2% to 27.9% from 2022 to 2024. Relief pitchers are volatile, and Marinaccio is proof of that. He went from being a productive reliever to somewhat shaky over a short period. His drop in performance helps explain why the win-now Yankees were willing to part ways with him.
Reasons For Optimism
Despite some concerning trends, there are reasons to believe that Marinaccio can turn things around. His 10.1 BB% this season is the lowest of his career, and his four-seam fastball has a 5-run value this season, according to Baseball Savant. It has been an effective pitch throughout his MLB career, and 2024 is no exception. His sweeper also grades out the best by run value this season than it ever has before. The big difference between his most productive days and now is the decline of his changeup. Opposing hitters are batting .367 against that pitch this season compared to just .141 in his 2022 rookie season. Perhaps the White Sox see a tweak they can make that will get his changeup effectiveness back to where it used to be.
Potential Long-Term Bullpen Piece
Marinaccio’s contract is another appealing aspect of this waiver claim. He has not yet reached arbitration and will not become a free agent until after the 2028 season. Should he get back on track, Marinaccio could be a long-term fixture in the White Sox bullpen and potentially even a trade chip down the line. While the season is almost over, Marinaccio will undoubtedly be a factor in the team’s bullpen competition in 2025 spring training. The bullpen has to be rebuilt almost entirely from scratch, and Marinaccio’s past MLB success could give him a leg up on the competition.
Precedence For Such A Move
Current White Sox reliever Gus Varland was in a similar situation as Marinaccio. He was part of a roster crunch on a win-now Dodgers team earlier this season, which led him to being designated for assignment and claimed by Chicago in early August. Varland has been one of the White Sox’s best relievers since he got here, and it is not inconceivable to think Marinaccio could be on a similar trajectory following his departure from the Yankees.
Final Word
Whether Ron Marinaccio becomes a fixture in the White Sox bullpen or not, these are the moves the team should be making right now. There is no risk in a waiver claim like this, but there is quite a bit of upside if he can turn things around again. Chris Getz has received much criticism for how this season has gone, but he has the right idea with these waiver claims.
