CC_Zois Offseason Plan

PREAMBLE

I feel like the White Sox are of two minds for 2027; poised for regression or taking the next step. I feel like there will be regression for some players, but I feel more confident players and the team will take the next step, as some players had career years, those career years were still not blow me away numbers. That being said, I feel like we can keep the core intact but improve it by adding some new players. I'm still cynical from the Hahn/Kenny years where fans were promised money would be spent, and we all know how that went. But gonna remain optimistic and try my best to see what the White Sox can do. So here goes nothing...

ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS

Miguel Vargas: Tender
Brenton Doyle: Tender
Joey Bart: Non-tender
Huascar Brazobán: Tender
Jordan Leasure: Tender
Chris Murphy: Tender

Vargas is obviously a cornerstone of the team, so it's a no brainer to keep him. I could still see Doyle and Peters platooning in center field and I'll never say no to a good defending backup outfielder. While Brazobán and Murphy were a bit frustrating in 2026, I feel like the White Sox have nothing to lose in bringing them back. Worse case scenario they DFA them and just move on. For Leasure, feel awful non tendering while someone is injured. And Bart, feel like we can find a cheaper veteran backstop out there.

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OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS

Sean Newcomb

Newcomb - 2 years, $14M. He was pretty reliable, can eat up some innings while also be high leverage. I'd consider bringing Fedde and Grichuk back, but as Jim said on the podcast, they would be last minute adds, not priorities.

FREE AGENTS

No. 1: SP Sonny Gray (2 years, $38 million). Gray would give the White Sox an established veteran at the top of the rotation after posting a 2.72 ERA over 169 innings in 2026. He's getting older, but a two-year deal limits the risk while giving the team a dependable starter to help stabilize the rotation.

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No. 2: RP David Bednar (2 years, $24 million). Bednar recorded 35 saves with a 2.47 ERA in 2026 and would immediately take over as the White Sox closer. At 32, he's young enough to be a multi-year bullpen solution without requiring a lengthy commitment.

No. 3: OF Seiya Suzuki (3 years, $66 million). Suzuki hit 26 home runs with an .841 OPS and 5.1 bWAR in 2026, making him an ideal everyday right fielder. He'd provide a much-needed middle-of-the-order bat while allowing Braden Montgomery to continue developing without being rushed into an everyday role.

No. 4: C Austin Hedges (1 year, $3 million). Sure he played for the Guardians, but Hedges is a veteran gamer and defensive presence behind the plate. He'd be a reliable backup for Teel and someone the pitching staff can trust. And don't have to stress about him behind the plate.

TRADES

No. 1: Trade: White Sox acquire RHP Bryan Woo
Seattle Mariners acquire RHP Tanner McDougal, SS Billy Carlson and OF Jaden Fauske.

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Woo would immediately become a key piece of the White Sox rotation, bringing youth, swing-and-miss stuff and the ability to handle a significant workload. With multiple years of team control remaining, he's the type of controllable starter worth making a meaningful prospect investment for, without surrendering Hagen Smith or Colson Montgomery.

SUMMARY

After an 84-win season and a playoff appearance, I think it's time for the White Sox to shift from rebuilding to competing. My offseason focuses on adding dependable starting pitching, improving the bullpen and bringing in another impact bat. Sonny Gray and Bryan Woo strengthen the rotation, David Bednar takes over as closer, and Seiya Suzuki gives the lineup an established right fielder. I'm willing to move some quality prospects to improve the major league roster, but I want to protect the young core and give Braden Montgomery time to develop. The goal is to compete for the AL Central and beyond in 2027 without sacrificing the organization's future.