The Chicago White Sox signed outfielder Lastings Milledge to a minor-league contract Thursday, a move that could prove beneficial to both parties.

Milledge is younger than some previous White Sox gambles, like Andruw Jones, Ken Griffey Jr. and Manny Ramirez. But even though Milledge is still only 25, he, too, is at a crossroads.

He was the Mets’ first selection and 12th overall pick in the 2003 draft. But attitude problems and a lack of production on the field led the Mets to trade him to the Nationals after the 2007 season in a deal that netted them catcher Brian Schneider and outfielder Ryan Church. Washington sent him to Pittsburgh in 2009.

Milledge, who spent the past one-and-a-half seasons with the Pirates, will start anew with a contender.

The White Sox, who currently list only four outfielders on their 40-man roster, will add depth while awaiting the arrivals of some of outfield prospects such as Jared Mitchell and Jordan Danks.

The Pirates declined to offer Milledge a contract in December, even though he stood to earn only between $1 million and $1.5 million in his first year of arbitration.

Milledge, a right-handed hitter, batted .277 last season, but hit only four homers in 412 plate appearances and struggled against right-handed pitching. He hit lefties well, however, batting .320 in 145 plate appearances.

Juan Pierre, Alex Rios and Carlos Quentin are the White Sox’s projected outfielders; Milledge could spell Pierre, a left-handed hitter, against certain lefties.

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CHICAGO — Limited to bargain deals to fill out their roster, the Chicago White Sox announced Thursday they agreed to a minor-league deal with outfielder Lastings Milledge with an invitation to big-league camp at spring training.

The team also announced Thursday that Alexei Ramirez’s four-year, $32.5 million extension, which will begin in 2012, is now official.

General manager Kenny Williams told the crowd at SoxFest last month that the team’s heavy spending this offseason left just $500,000 available if they wanted to bring in a backup outfielder. Enter Milledge, whose main competition for a roster spot appears to be Alejandro De Aza.

Milledge, 25, has played in 431 games over five major-league seasons with three teams. He began his career with the New York Mets (2006-07), while also playing in Washington (2008-09) and Pittsburgh (2009-10).

The 12th overall pick in the 2003 draft by the Mets is a career .269 hitter with 33 home runs and 167 RBIs.

His best season came in 2008 with the Nationals, batting .268 with 24 doubles, 14 home runs and 61 RBIs and 24 steals. Last season with the Pirates, he batted a career-best .277 with 21 doubles, four home runs and 34 RBIs in 113 games before he was non-tendered in December. Against left-handed pitching last season, the right-handed batter hit .320.

As for Ramirez, he will finish out his existing four-year deal during the upcoming season, when he will make $2.75 million. During the first year of his new four-year extension in 2012 he will make $5 million, followed by $7 million in 2013, $9 million in 2014 and $10 million in 2015. There is also a team option for a fifth year at $10 million with a $1 million buyout.

Ramirez, the American League Silver Award winner from last season batted. 282 in 2010 with 29 doubles, 18 home runs and 70 RBIs in 156 games. He not only became the first White Sox shortstop to win a Silver Slugger Award, he was also named to the Sporting News AL All-Star Team.

In three seasons with the White Sox, the Cuba native has batted .283 with 54 home runs and 215 RBIs.

Doug Padilla covers the White Sox for ESPNChicago.com and ESPN 1000.

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The Chicago White Sox signed reliever Brian Bruney to a minor league contract. He had a 7.64 ERA for the Nationals this past season and no one else gave him a shot once they dumped him, so I can see why the White Sox wanted to get this one nailed down before Christmas.

I dunno, maybe they’re bored. I’m bored. Like everyone else, I’m just waiting around for Cliff Lee to sign. Otherwise, nothing is happening.  I’m so desperate for real baseball news right now that I’m willing to soften my stance on “Mystery Team” rumors.  Heck, let’s go all-in with this:

Heard this: a mystery team is rumored to be signing an unknown player. Nothing is imminent, however, and terms are undisclosed at this time.

Ahhhh … that’s better.

That’s all for today.

Feel free to leave your comments below.

Not a lot else going on in the MLB world today.

What do you guys think about this.

Running low on time today, i’ll be back tomorrow hopefully with some more news.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

There is the quick update of the day.

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What are your opinions.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.

If anybody needs tickets to games, remember to click the tickets link at the top.

There is the quick update of the day.

That’s all for today guys, i’ll be back to blog you tomorrow.