White Sox claim LHP Giovanni Soto off waivers from the A’s

The White Sox claimed LHP Giovanni Soto off waivers from the A’s today.

Soto began the 2016 season in the Indians’ organization, but was traded to the Cubs on April 11, 2016 when the Cubs put Kyle Schwarber on the 60-day DL. While he spent the whole season on the 40-man roster, he never played in Chicago. He was DFA’d by the Cubs to make room for Kyle Schwarber on the Cubs 40-man roster prior to the World Series. The A’s claimed Soto off waivers on Oct. 26.

Soto appeared in 33 games in Iowa last season. In 49 innings of work, he struck out 55, walked 31, and gave up three home runs. That was good for a 5.14 ERA and 4.48 FIP. In 2015, Soto appeared in 6 games for the Indians, giving up three hits, but no runs, walks, or strikeouts in 3⅓ innings.

In an odd bit of coincidence, Giovanni Soto and Geovanny Soto have both been part of the Cubs, A’s, and White Sox organizations.

With this move, the Sox 40-man roster goes to 38. The Sox today to exclusively negotiate with Justin Morneau, Alex Avila, and Austin Jackson. Unlikely though it is, the Sox also have through today to make qualified offers to these players.