It says quite a bit that Tommy Hanson couldn't crack the Texas Rangers' starting rotation in its current state, as he was released from his minor-league deal in late March after it was decided he wouldn't be put on the big-league roster and owed a half-million dollars.
Now, another team is taking a flier on the former promising, young pitcher as Hanson signed with the Chicago White Sox on a minor-league deal.
Hanson pitched 14 innings over four games in spring training with a 6.43 ERA and 11 strikeouts and was unable to beat out guys like Joe Saunders and Nick Martinez, who had previously only pitched five games above the Class-A level.
Hanson was very good early in his career and looked to be the next in a line of great pitchers for the Atlanta Braves before some injuries derailed him and later in his career the tragic death of his brother further did so.
You have to wonder if Hanson will eventually regain his form. Due to his contract structure, the Rangers let him go before he was owed the $500,000 and instead had to pay him just $125,000, so basically he was a financial casualty. If he discovers his old self, it'll be with the White Sox, or maybe even another team.
