Sox sign Alexei Ramirez to 4-year contract; DFA David Aardsma

The Chicago White Sox have agreed to terms on a four-year, $4.75-million contract with free agent infielder/outfielder Alexei Ramirez. Under terms of the deal, Ramirez will receive a $500,000 signing bonus and be paid $950,000 in 2008 and $1.10 million each season from 2009-11. Ramirez, 26, played seven seasons with Pinar del Rio in the Cuban League from 2001-07, hitting .334 (680-2,048) with 73 home runs and 328 RBI in 521 games. He added 105 doubles, 23 triples, 381 runs scored and a .513 slugging percentage while playing both second base and the outfield. The 6-foot-1, 180-pound Ramirez batted .335 (114-340) with 20 home runs and 68 RBI in 2007, setting career bests in each category. He led the league in average and home runs and walked more than he struck out (48 to 37) for the third consecutive season. Ramirez hit .300 or better in each of his six full seasons with Pinar del Rio, including a career best of .342 in 2002, and recorded just eight fewer walks than strikeouts (219 to 227). Ramirez played center field in the inaugural World Baseball Classic in 2006, going 6-16 (.375) with two doubles and two RBI as Cuba lost in the finals to Japan. He also played for Cuba in the 2004 Olympics in Athens. Ramirez will wear uniform No. 10.

The Chicago White Sox have agreed with veteran free-agent pitcher Octavio Dotel on a two-year, $11-million contract and have designated pitcher David Aardsma for assignment. Under terms of the deal, Dotel will receive $5.0 million in 2008 and $6.0 million in 2009. ... The White Sox 40-man roster now stands at 40.