PREAMBLE
For the most part this team was enjoyable to watch after the all star break in 2025 and I’d like to continue that trend in 2026. There are some clear pieces in place, but still many questions to be answered. Overall I think we’re in for another year of roster churn, but the baseball should be fun-bad and by the end I hope we’ll have a decent idea of the next good core and a clearer path to contention.
COACHING STAFF
- Hitting coach: Lou Iannotti
- Pitching coach: Casey Jacobsen
While I can’t say I’m well informed on the assistant coach front, these are the names that intrigue me. Jacobson was hired away from Driveline by the Cubs, and seems like a forward-thinking pitching mind. As for Iannotti, the Blue Jays offense was pretty impressive to watch during the postseason.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Mike Tauchman: Tender
- Steven Wilson: Tender
- Derek Hill: Non-tender
Tauchman performed reasonably well, and I plan to find him a new platoon partner for RF. Wilson was somewhat effective and the price tag is low enough that its worth picking up.
CLUB OPTIONS
- Luis Robert Jr.: Exercise $20 million contract
- Martín Perez: Buy out for $1.5 million
It seems all but certain Robert's option will be picked up, and I'm okay with that.
FREE AGENTS
Sign SP Zach Eflin 1 year/ $15M
This is my choice for a veteran SP addition. He’s coming off back surgery and might be interested in a pillow contract to show he’s healthy, with a chance to be flipped to a contender at the deadline.
Sign RHRP Devin Williams 1 year/ $8M
A bounceback candidate who could provide some leverage innings and bring back something in a deadline trade.
Sign LHRP Hoby Milner 1 year/ $4M
The lefty reliever mix currently on hand is less than inspiring. Milner may not be that much more inspiring, but he has an A+ name and throws from a weird arm angle, so there’s that.
Sign OF Lane Thomas 1 year/$2.5M
A new platoon partner for Tauchman (career 135 Wrc+ against lefties) who can also cover CF.
TRADES
Trade Grant Taylor to Boston for OF Jhostynxon Garcia
It’s tough to trade Taylor, especially if a move back to starting is in his future. But if the White Sox see his long term home in the bullpen, this could be a good time to trade him for some much needed outfield help. With the depth of the organization being pitching and Bannister’s track record of getting more from less, I have some confidence that a comparable late inning leverage arm could be developed by the time the White Sox are competitive again. The Red Sox have OF depth and could be enticed by a controllable weapon like Taylor. Garcia is garnering some top 100 consideration and got a cup of coffee with Boston last year. He’s capable of covering CF, but his long term home is likely a corner.
Trade Korey Lee to Tampa Bay for RHP Ty Johnson
I’d like to keep Quero for now and that makes the out of options Lee expendable. It seems the Rays are always looking for cheap catching and may be willing to trade from their pitching depth. Johnson had a nice year at AA with a good fastball/slider mix but a changeup that needs work to project as a back of the rotation type. Sounds like a good project for Bannister.
Trade Andrew Benintendi + $22M to Pittsburgh for RHP Khristian Curtis
I’m fairly certain Benintendi will be with the White Sox in 2026. But MLBTR recently polled their readership about a Benintendi trade and listed the Pirates as a speculative suitor, which inspired me to attempt concocting a trade that is (maybe?) realistic. I’d be content with this outcome - pay down a chunk of his salary to get an okay pitching prospect.
Select LHP Jake Bennett from Washington in the Rule 5 draft
I wanted to throw out a name for the Rule 5 draft, although it’s possible the Nationals will protect him. This is a big lefty with back of the rotation upside who could factor into the mix for a rotation spot or a long guy in the bullpen.
SUMMARY
2026 Payroll ~$85M
Initial 26-Man:
C - Teel, Quero
IF - Montgomery, Vargas, Meidroth, Sosa, Mead, Ramos
OF - Robert, Tauchman/Thomas, Garcia, Baldwin
On the infield SS is set with Montgomery. I think it’s worth continuing to mix and match at the other positions to allow things to shake out. In the OF left to right: Garcia, Robert, and the platoon of Tauchman/Thomas until after the trade deadline when hopefully Montgomery will be ready for a look. Garcia seems nearly ready for an MLB look, but I would expect a minor league signing or 2 (perhaps a non-tendered MJ Melendez or Christopher Morel?) to compete in spring training.
SP - Smith, Martin, Eflin, Burke, Cannon
RHRP - Williams, Leasure, Gonzalez, Vasil, Wilson, Gomez
LHRP - Milner, Bennett
I would expect this group to change drastically over the course of the season, as guys like Schultz, Smith, and maybe even McDougal develop and get MLB chances, along with the return of the Tommy John brigade (Thorpe, Bush, Adams, and Carela).
