It isn’t often that a 102-loss season can be viewed as a success, but that was the case for the 2025 White Sox. Led by first-year skipper Will Venable and several notable rookies, the team improved by 19 games from their history-making 2024 campaign. The franchise now looks to be headed in the right direction, which is something they haven’t been able to say in quite some time.
Coaching Staff Changes
Even after a season in which the team showed significant progress, changes have already begun to take place. Several coaches were let go, most notably longtime pitching coach Ethan Katz. Hitting coach Marcus Thames, first base coach Jason Bourgeois, and catching coach Drew Butera departed as part of sweeping changes in Venable’s staff as well. Grady Sizemore also recently left the organization to join the Twins as their first base coach as well.
The team worked quickly to fill their coaching vacancies. Former Royals assistant pitching coach Zach Bove was hired to replace Katz, while former Twins and Marlins assistant hitting coach Derek Shomon was brought in to replace Thames. Former Orioles assistant hitting coach and upper-level hitting coordinator Sherman Johnson is also joining the organization as a minor league hitting coordinator.
None of these new coaches are household names in MLB circles, but it is encouraging that the organization wanted to upgrade the coaching staff even after a substantial improvement. It is also fair to assume that Venable signed off on these guys. If that’s the case, then I don’t have any reason to question these picks. Venable has earned the benefit of the doubt in my eyes.
Payroll Estimate
From a payroll standpoint, it is tough to predict where the team will stand in 2026. They slashed payroll considerably from 2024 to 2025, running a payroll of just shy of $80 million this past season. The instability of the potential lockout after the 2026 season does not help matters, with General Manager Chris Getz already publicly stating that the team doesn’t figure to be too active in giving long term contracts in free agency this offseason.
For these reasons, I will give myself $90 million to construct the 2026 roster. That figure might be a tad ambitious, and while they may cut payroll even more in advance of the lockout, it is at least a somewhat reasonable number. I will use Spotrac as a guideline for projected individual player salaries and the overall payroll calculation.
Arbitration Eligible Players
The first order of business is deciding the fates of the arbitration-eligible players. The team has three such players this offseason. I will tender contracts to Mike Tauchman and Steven Wilson, while non-tendering Derek Hill. My thought process behind these decisions is here.
Player/Mutual Options
One of the biggest decisions the organization faced this offseason was figuring out what to do with Luis Robert Jr. The former All-Star outfielder had a $20 million team option for 2026, which the team recently decided to pick up. After not trading him at the last deadline, Getz made it clear that they would pick up his option in the offseason. That is exactly what they did.
While he has clear flaws and a substantial salary for White Sox standards, I also pick up his option as part of this plan. As inconsistent as he can be with the bat, his defense and speed don’t slump. He stole a career high 33 bases in 2025 while being in the 93rd percentile in Outs Above Average and the 90th percentile in sprint speed per Baseball Savant. He also recorded an .808 OPS in 125 second-half plate appearances before getting hurt, and isn’t blocking any top prospects in center field.
His talent is undeniable, and I believe they are a better team with him in center field. I’m not expecting the 2023 version of him to return at this point, but I would rather roll the dice on him for another season than let him walk for nothing in return.
As for Martin Perez, the veteran left-hander declined his end of a $10 million mutual option for 2026 in favor of a $1.5 million buyout. He was good when he pitched, but he only pitched 56 innings in 2025 thanks to elbow and shoulder injuries. For that reason, I wouldn’t have picked up his option even if he had accepted his end of it. There is too much uncertainty at a $10 million price tag, especially since he will be 35 next April. He reportedly enjoyed his time here and is open to returning, but I don’t view his departure as a significant loss.
Trade #1
C Edgar Quero to the Philadelphia Phillies for OF Justin Crawford
To preface this trade, I am not trading Edgar Quero because I don’t like him, nor do I actively want to get rid of him. I think he showed a lot of promise as a rookie and will continue to improve over time. That said, catcher is the one area on the entire roster where the team has a clear surplus of talent. Kyle Teel emerged as one of the best young catchers in baseball, while Korey Lee is a serviceable backup. There is a log jam behind the plate, and instead of compromising both Teel and Quero’s value by platooning them or putting one of them at DH where their bat doesn’t play as well, it makes sense to trade one of them to address an area of need. Quero has also recently generated trade interest from several teams, according to recent reports.
Enter the Phillies. A perennial contender, their catching situation looks very murky at the moment. J.T. Realmuto, their starting catcher since 2019, is now a free agent. They also traded top catching prospect Eduardo Tait to the Twins this past season in the Jhoan Duran trade, with Rafael Marchán and Garrett Stubbs remaining as the only two catchers on their roster. Bringing back Realmuto could be a possibility, but he will be 35 on Opening Day. He is not a long-term solution at this point. Quero would slot in as their starting catcher of the future in Philadelphia and address a clear need on their roster.
Other than Braden Montgomery, the White Sox don’t have any top outfield prospects close to MLB ready. Crawford would change that immediately. The 21-year-old left-handed hitting outfielder slashed .334/.411/.452 in 506 plate appearances at the Triple-A level last season, while adding 23 doubles, four triples, seven home runs, and 46 stolen bases and a 11.5% walk rate while playing center and left field. He is ready for Chicago right now and would immediately factor into the team’s plans at the MLB level, serving as another potential core player moving forward. He could even potentially replace Robert Jr. in center field down the line.
Young position player for young position player trades aren’t all that common, and parting with their player would hurt for each respective side. Still, this deal addresses a substantial need for both organizations.
Trade #2
IF Lenyn Sosa to the Miami Marlins for SP Max Meyer
Sosa had by far the best season of his MLB career to date in 2025. He hit 22 home runs, was above league average offensively for the first time in his career, and continues to improve with every passing year. Yet the same flaws he has always had still persisted. He doesn’t have a defensive home, makes too many mental mistakes in the field, and his free-swinging tendencies do not align with the type of player Getz and the front office are now targeting. Combine that with the fact that the White Sox infield situation is now getting very crowded, and Sosa is a logical trade chip.
Marlins first basemen collectively slashed .234/.297/.366 last season. Eric Wagaman, their primary starter at the position, hit only nine home runs with a .674 OPS for the 2025 Marlins. It is a clear weak spot on their roster, which Sosa can fill.
While first base is a hole for Miami, their pitching staff is not. Sandy Alcántara, Edward Cabrera, Eury Pérez, and Ryan Weathers are all prominent fixtures in their rotation. Braxton Garrett will soon be back from Tommy John surgery as well, while Thomas White and Robby Snelling, their two top pitching prospects, are near MLB ready. Even with Alcántara and Cabrera in trade talks over the past year or so, their collection of starting pitchers is very deep.
A former third overall pick, Meyer has shown flashes of brilliance, including a 14 strikeout performance against the Reds in April. He has yet to consistently find his footing at the MLB level, however. He missed all of 2023 because of Tommy John surgery, and missed a significant period of time in 2025 because of a labrum tear in his left hip. His durability, coupled with the Marlins' deep rotation has left his status uncertain moving forward.
For as crowded as the Marlins’ rotation is, the White Sox can’t say the same. It is fair to assume that Shane Smith and Davis Martin have strong holds on rotation spots heading into next year, but it gets murky after that. Sean Burke and Jonathan Cannon struggled last season, while Drew Thorpe, Mason Adams, and Ky Bush are all recovering from Tommy John surgery. Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith likely need more minor league seasoning as well. Buying low on Meyer would represent an intriguing rotation option for the South Siders over the next few seasons, while clearing up the logjam in the infield.
Both Sosa and Meyer are free agents after the 2029 season, so this trade would represent a swap of players who don’t necessarily fit great on their current team, but would potentially be big contributors elsewhere.
Trade #3
OF Andrew Benintendi to the Houston Astros for 1B Christian Walker and OF Ethan Frey
Three seasons into the Andrew Benintendi contract, and it is safe to say that it has not worked out as hoped for the White Sox. The veteran outfielder has posted a -0.2 fWAR in 402 games with the franchise and represents one of the last remnants of the Pedro Grifol era.
With only two years remaining on his contract, Benintendi’s contract is no longer the albatross it once was. That said, nobody is going to realistically trade for him unless it is a swap of bad contracts.
Christian Walker’s first year with the Astros also did not go as hoped. The 34-year-old hit 27 home runs, but was still below league average offensively, with his Gold Glove caliber defense taking a step back as well. The Astros reportedly are actively looking to trade him, and a bad money swap here could make sense.
For the White Sox, first base has been a revolving door since José Abreu departed. The team also desperately needs power. Even in a down year, Walker would have led them in home runs. He would also be a defensive upgrade over the likes of Miguel Vargas and Sosa, even factoring in his decline.
For the Astros, getting Walker’s contract off the books allows them to move Isaac Paredes to first base and Jose Altuve to move from left field back to his customary second base. Benintendi’s defense metrics have slipped recently as well, but he should be able to handle left field in Houston. Perhaps a change of scenery would revitalize him.
Benintendi is owed $32.1 million over the next two years, while Walker is owed $40 million over the next two years. It is a relatively straightforward swap of bad contracts. As an incentive to make up the additional money the White Sox will take on, Houston will also send outfield prospect Ethan Frey to Chicago. Frey, 21, hit .330/.434/.474 in 26 games in Low-A and represents a decent lotto ticket prospect for the White Sox to stash in the farm system.
Free Agent Signing #1
SP Cody Ponce to a two-year/$22 million contract
Erick Fedde was one of the best free agent signings by the team in recent memory, and now there is a new American-born pitcher who dominated in Korea and is looking to put himself on the MLB map. Ponce is a physically imposing 6’6 and 255-pound right-hander who put up otherworldly numbers with the Hanwha Eagles this past season. In 180.2 innings over 29 starts, the 31-year-old recorded a 17-1 record, 1.89 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 12.6 K/9. He led the KBO in wins, ERA, and strikeouts, and was just announced as this year’s Choi Dong-won Award winner, which is the Korean equivalent of the Cy Young.
Ponce only has 55.1 MLB innings to his name and struggled to a 5.86 ERA over that time, but has become a different pitcher since going to Asia. He has gained velocity on his fastball and also has a cutter, changeup, and curveball in his repertoire.
MLB Trade Rumors predicts him to get a two-year/$22 million contract, with one of their contributors predicting the White Sox to sign him. It is a similar set of circumstances to when Fedde signed with the team. Ponce would be guaranteed a rotation spot and a chance to adjust to the MLB level, while the team could get bang for their buck if his improvements in Asia translate to the big leagues. Ponce also displayed durability last season, pitching more than 180 innings. There is risk in signing an unproven pitcher for substantial money, but also significant reward.
Free Agent Signing #2
RP Kenley Jansen to a one-year/$10 million contract
The White Sox closer situation last season was a rollercoaster ride. Eight different pitchers recorded at least one save, but no one took the job and ran with it. The team collectively blew 24 saves and lost 50 games in which they once held a lead. Creating stability at the back end of the bullpen is essential.
Kenley Jansen knows how to close games better than any other current pitcher. The 37-year-old has nearly 1,000 MLB appearances to his name and is the active leader in saves with 476. Even at his advanced age, he recorded a strong 2.59 ERA, 3.98 FIP, 0.95 WHIP, 8.7 K/9, and 29 saves in 62 appearances with the Angels in 2025. He blew just one save, and Father Time has not caught up to him yet.
It is fair to question why a future Hall of Famer and former World Series champion would want to sign with a rebuilding team at the end of his career. Yet you could have made the same argument last year when he signed with the Angels, and he still decided to go there. He would also be the undisputed closer for the White Sox and continue to pad his save total for his future Hall of Fame resume. He was also teammates with Will Venable briefly in 2016 with the Dodgers. It is a logical marriage, and Jansen would add much-needed stability and a veteran presence at the back end of the bullpen.
Free Agent Signing #3
RP Andrew Chafin to a one-year/$3 million contract
The White Sox bullpen was bad in general last year, but the left-handers in the bullpen were especially bad. The Cam Booser trade was a gigantic bust, and although Brandon Eisert took the ball 72 times, the results left something to be desired.
Chafin doesn’t have nearly as much experience as Jansen, but he has still been around the block. The 35-year-old left-hander has 643 MLB appearances to his name and can still get lefty hitters out. They hit just .136/.268/.186 against him in 72 plate appearances this season. His stuff isn’t overpowering at this point, but he is still an upgrade and would immediately become the primary lefty in the bullpen.
Free Agent Signing #4
OF Rob Refsnyder to a one-year/$3 million contract
Refsnyder has a reputation for destroying left-handed pitchers, and that trend continued in 2025. In 138 plate appearances against southpaws with the Red Sox, he hit .302/.399/.560 with nine doubles and seven home runs.
He is a logical fit for the same role that Austin Slater was signed for last offseason. A platoon of Tauchman and Refsnyder in right field likely wouldn’t put up star level production, but they can hold down the fort until Braden Montgomery is ready for the big leagues.
Free Agent Signing #5
1B Josh Bell to a one-year/$3 million contract
Bell is another guy who has been around for awhile. The 33-year-old switch-hitter has a decade of MLB time to his name and has historically been a productive hitter. While his best days are behind him, he still hits for power. He hit 22 home runs in 140 games with the Nationals in 2025 while also recording a solid .804 OPS against right-handers in 413 plate appearances. The White Sox desperately need more power. They ranked 23rd in MLB in home runs and 28th in OPS. Hitting the ball over the fence is something Bell brings to the table for a relatively affordable price tag.
Free Agent Signing #6
SP Erick Fedde to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
It wouldn’t be an offseason plan of mine without bringing back a former player. This year, it is the aforementioned Fedde, who struggled immensely with three different teams in 2025. He took a major step back, pitching to a 5.49 ERA, 5.20 FIP, and 1.52 WHIP across 141 innings.
Despite his struggles, Fedde had by far the best stretch of his MLB career with the White Sox in 2024. Bringing him in on a minor league deal for competition in spring training can’t hurt. I would not expect the same level of upside as when they signed him initially, but perhaps he will rediscover his old form and earn a rotation or bullpen spot.
Projected 2026 White Sox Opening Day 26-Man Roster
Lineup:
2B: Chase Meidroth (24) (R) ($820,000)
C: Kyle Teel (24) (L) ($820,000)
CF: Luis Robert Jr. (28) (R) ($20,000,000)
SS: Colson Montgomery (24) (L) ($820,000)
1B: Christian Walker (34) (R) ($20,000,000)
DH: Josh Bell (33) (S) ($3,000,000)
RF: Mike Tauchman (35) (L) ($3,400,000)
3B: Miguel Vargas (26) (R) ($820,000)
LF: Justin Crawford (22) (L) ($820,000)
Lineup total: $50,500,000
Bench:
OF: Rob Refsnyder (35) (R) ($3,000,000)
C: Korey Lee (27) (R) ($820,000)
IF/OF: Brooks Baldwin (25) (S) ($820,000)
IF: Curtis Mead (25) (R) ($820,000)
Bench total: $5,460,000
Starting Rotation:
Shane Smith (26) (R) ($820,000)
Davis Martin (29) (R) ($820,000)
Cody Ponce (31) (R) ($11,000,000)
Max Meyer (27) (R) ($1,250,000)
Sean Burke (26) (R) ($820,000)
Starting rotation total: $14,710,000
Bullpen:
Brandon Eisert (28) (L) ($820,000)
Mike Vasil (26) (R) ($820,000)
Jordan Leasure (27) (R) ($820,000)
Wikelman Gonzalez (24) (R) ($820,000)
Grant Taylor (24) (R) ($820,000)
Steven Wilson (31) (R) ($1,500,000)
Andrew Chafin (35) (L) ($3,000,000)
Kenley Jansen (38) (R) ($10,000,000)
Bullpen total: $18,600,000
Total team payroll: $89,270,000
Players Who Just Missed The Cut
SP Jonathan Cannon, SP Yoendrys Gómez, IF Bryan Ramos, SP Drew Thorpe (Tommy John recovery), SP Ky Bush (Tommy John recovery), RP Prelander Berroa (Tommy John recovery), SP Mason Adams (Tommy John recovery) RP Fraser Ellard
FInal Thoughts
The team constructed above still has clear flaws. They lack power, particularly in the outfield corners. The starting rotation is also inexperienced and unproven. Unlike 2023, 2024, and the first part of 2025, however, a foundation of young talent is now in place. You can argue that at least half of this projected roster could form the core of the team moving forward. And while there are no substantial free agent signings with the impending lockout in mind, several veterans have been added to supplement the young core. They raise the floor of the team and address clear flaws from last year, while still giving the team flexibility moving forward because of their short-term contracts. With the #2 pick in the upcoming Rule 5 Draft, I also wouldn't be surprised if the team uses that avenue to try to find another Shane Smith.
2026 figures to be an interesting season for the White Sox. On paper, it would take a minor miracle for them to be competitive in the AL Central. Yet given how mediocre the division is, you can’t rule it out. Combine that with the fact that they now have a foundation of talent at the MLB level, more top prospects who figure to join the team throughout the season, and a manager who seems to know what he’s doing, and this team should be watchable again for the first time in several years.
Summary
- Trade C Edgar Quero to the Philadelphia Phillies for OF Justin Crawford
- Trade IF Lenyn Sosa to the Miami Marlins for SP Max Meyer
- Trade OF Andrew Benintendi to the Houston Astros for 1B Christian Walker and OF Ethan Frey
- Sign SP Cody Ponce to a two-year/$22 million contract
- Sign RP Kenley Jansen to a one-year/$10 million contract
- Sign RP Andrew Chafin to a one-year/$3 million contract
- Sign OF Rob Refsnyder to a one-year/$3 million contract
- Sign 1B Josh Bell to a one-year/$3 million contract
- Sign SP Erick Fedde to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
