Sox reach deals with Thornton, Ozuna

[JoseA]

CHICAGO -- The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a three-year, $3.25-million contract extension with left-handed pitcher Matt Thornton that includes club options for 2010 and 2011, and a one-year, $1.25-million contract extension with infielder/outfielder Pablo Ozuna that includes a club option for 2009.

Thornton, 30, went 5-3 with a 3.33 ERA (20 ER/54.0 IP) and 49 strikeouts in 63 appearances in 2006, his first season with the White Sox. His team-high 18 holds tied for ninth in the American League and are the 10th-highest, single-season total in Sox history. Thornton held opponents to a .229 (46-201) average and lefties to a .211 (16-76) mark.

Ozuna, 32, still will receive $800,000 in 2007 as called for in the one-year contract he signed with the White Sox on December 5, 2006. Under terms of the extension, he will be paid $1,050,000 in 2008, with the Sox holding a 2009 option at $1,200,000 ($200,000 buyout).

Ozuna hit .328 (62-189) with 12 doubles, two home runs and 17 RBI in 79 games with the White Sox in 2006. The 5-foot-11, 190-pounder played in 39 games in the outfield, 17 at third base and six at second base. He is a .301 (118-392) hitter in two seasons with the Sox and owns a .292 (147-503) average in four major-league seasons with Florida (2002), Colorado (2003) and the White Sox (2005-).

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I like both of these signings! Ozuna and Thornton both showed a lot of promise last season, and hopefully they will be contributing to the White Sox for years to come