A Sigh Of Relief: White Sox Demote Mike MacDougal, Recall Ehren Wassermann

Finally.

The Mike MacDougal era appears to be over in Chicago, as the right-handed reliever was demoted to AAA Charlotte April 26.

Since being acquired from the Kansas City Royals in 2006, MacDougal has steadily lost velocity on his fastball that once touched the upper 90s on the radar gun.

As MacDougal's velocity on his fastball fell into the low 90s, his ERA rose well above 6.00, finishing at 6.80 in 42.1 innings in 2007.

MacDougal never was a control pitcher. His motion was the exact opposite of "mechanically sound," but he was able to get away with his lack of control on his fastball because he could pop it around 98 mph. 

However, hitters began to lay off MacDougal's fastball as its velocity dipped, which led to more walks and a reliance on his curveball.

Despite these obvious struggles, MacDougal made the big-league club out of spring training, beating out Ehren Wassermann for one of the final spots in the bullpen.

Ozzie Guillen was weary to use MacDougal in pressure situations early in the year, and on the surface, MacDougal had success, as his ERA was nowhere near as high as it was in 2007. 

However, it was a mirage. When MacDougal was optioned to AAA, his ERA was 2.08, but his WHIP was 1.73 and his K/BB ratio was 1:1. 

It seemed like every time MacDougal stepped on the mound, he would allow at least two baserunners to reach before being bailed out by another reliever.

Meanwhile, Wassermann dominated at Charlotte, not allowing a run in 7.2 innings of work with 10 strikeouts to just three walks.  

Wassermann was one of the few bright spots in the White Sox bullpen last year, sporting a 2.74 ERA in 23.0 innings. Right-handed hitters batted just .174 off Wassermann and he did not allow a home run between the minors and majors. 

While the righty specialist has had his problems against left-handed hitters, he deserves to be in the White Sox bullpen over MacDougal. Guillen loves to play the percentages with his relievers, and Wassermann gives him more freedom to do that. If there are two right-handed hitters up to lead off an inning, don't be surprised to see Wassermann come in to face them regardless of the inning and score.

This move was a long time coming. MacDougal had worn out his welcome with Sox fans long ago, but the organization decided to stick with the veteran, hoping he would revert back to his pre-2007 form. 

That never happened. And now the bullpen is better off with Wassermann in it.