White Sox agree to deal with Gonzalez

CHICAGO >> The White Sox boosted their rotation, finalizing a $5 million, one-year contract with two-time All-Star Gio González that includes a 2021 club option.

The deal announced Friday calls for a $4.5 million salary in

2020 and gives the White Sox a

$7 million option for 2021 with a

$500,000 buyout.

The left-hander finally will get a chance to pitch for the team that took him with the No. 38 overall pick in the 2004 amateur draft. Chicago dealt González to the Phillies following the 2005 season as part of the trade that sent Aaron Rowand for Jim Thome, then reacquired González a year later along with Gavin Floyd for Freddy García. The White Sox traded González to Oakland for Nick Swisher in January 2008.

González, 34, debuted with the Athletics in 2008 and is 13099 with a 3.68 ERA over 12 years with Oakland (2008-11), Washington (2012-18) and Milwaukee (201819). He was an All-Star in 2011 and

2012, when he won a career-high 21 games and had a 2.89 ERA.

González was 3-2 with a 3.50 ERA in 17 starts and 19 appearances last season.

Twins bolster bullpen

MINNEAPOLIS >> The Minnesota Twins bolstered their bullpen by finalizing contracts for two righthanded relievers, adding Tyler Clippard on a $2.75 million, oneyear deal and bringing back Sergio Romo with a contract that guaranteed $5 million and includes a 2021 club option.

Romo has a 2.92 ERA in 623 career innings, for five major league teams.

The 34-year-old Clippard had a 2.90 ERA in 62 innings for division rival Cleveland last season, with 15 walks and 64 strikeouts.

Brewers add Sogard, Smoak

MILWAUKEE >> After hitting a career-low .134 for Milwaukee in 2018, Eric Sogard is getting a second chance with the Brewers.

“I’m not afraid to admit that I had some issues going on off the field that kind of took my mind away from the field,” Sogard said Friday after Milwaukee finalized his $4.5 million, one-year contract along with a $5 million, one-year deal for first baseman Justin Smoak.

Sogard hit .300 with a careerhigh 10 homers and 30 RBIs in 323 plate appearances for Toronto, then batted .266 with three homers and 10 RBIs in 119 plate appearances for Tampa Bay.

Smoak had 22 home runs and 61 RBIs last season but hit just .202 and played in only 121 games because of a left leg injury.

Hill earns Conigliaro Award

BOSTON >> Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Rich Hill has won the Tony Conigliaro Award.

The honor goes to a major leaguer “who has overcome adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and courage that were the trademarks of Tony C.”

Hill, 39, worked his way back three times from an arm and two knee injuries to finish the season with the Dodgers, starting Game 4 of the NLDS against the Washington Nationals.

Average salary drops

NEW YORK >> The average salary in the major leagues has dropped in consecutive years for the first time since the players’ association started keeping records more than a half-century ago.

The 988 players on Aug. 31 rosters and injured lists averaged

$4,051,490, the union said Friday, down 1.1% from $4,095,686 last year.

The average peaked at

$4,097,122 in 2017.

This was just the fifth decline since records started in 1967, when the average was $19,000. There also were drops in 1987, when clubs were found guilty of collusion; in 1995, after the end of a 7½-month strike; and in 2004.