PREAMBLE
Maybe it is because I try to balance what I think the White Sox will do with what I think they should do, but my plan overspends but keeps the "flexibility" that Jerry loves more than winning itself. I think they are all defensible moves, however. I balance going for it in 2027, and keeping some powder dry in case there is regression in 2027.
ARBITRATION-ELIGIBLE PLAYERS
- Miguel Vargas: Tender
- Brenton Doyle: Tender
- Joey Bart: Non-tender
- Huascar Brazobán: Tender
- Jordan Leasure: Non-tender
- Chris Murphy: Non-tender
Vargas and Doyle are fairly obvious tenders. Brazoban has an option remaining, so he can be shuttled back and forth between AAA if necessary. I would bring Leasure back on a minor league deal if he prefers to rehab with the White Sox.
OTHER IMPENDING FREE AGENTS
- Erick Fedde
I would bring Fedde back on a 1 year $4 million deal and put him in the Newcomb role in the bullpen. Fedde's sweeper should help him against lefties with the platoon advantage. I think it is the best thing for Fedde to convert himself into a multi-inning reliever.
Grichuk was great, but I think he should get a guaranteed deal for 2027. Newcomb will be too expensive I think. Better to search for a new Newcomb than overpay for current Newcomb. Pham, Richards, and Rogers were good vets, and I would be fine if they showed up sometime in 2027 on minor league deals.
FREE AGENTS
Sonny Gray (1 year $25 million, $5 million buyout on a 2028 $30 million team option). He takes the ball almost every day. He has an above average walk rate and ground ball rate, which is important pitching at the Rate. He is a good, veteran, topish of the rotation starter, eats innings, and does not require a long term deal. Maybe another team would beat this offer, but I think it is fair for his production and age.
Taylor Ward (1 year $17.5 million, player option for 2028 at $17.5 million). Ward makes great swing decisions. His chase percentage was the lowest in MLB in 2026. The power fell off a cliff in 2026, but this is a good project for Ryan Fuller. Ward's K rate fell in 2026 along with the power. I think this is a good potential win-win for Ward and the Sox. The Sox find a way to get Ward's power back, and if he hits 30+ home runs, he goes back on the market with the potential to find a larger multi-year deal. He turns 33 in December, but I think he can find a 3/$75 million if he has a great 2027. Ward is a league average defender in left field, which is a huge improvement from Sam Antonacci.
TRADES
Trade Jordan Rich to the Baltimore Orioles for Ryan Helsley and $4 million cash. This is a salary dump for the Os. Helsley was injured in 2026.I think the Os would rather spend the $10 million net they receive elsewhere. The Sox have been looking for someone in the bullpen who can close but does not need to close, and Helsley fits this need. Jordan Rich was the return from the Lenyn Sosa trade. I just put him in there as a filler for the type of return the Os can expect. I would forgo the $4 million in cash if necessary, but I think this is a fair salary dump.
SUMMARY
To tie up some loose ends, I would want Grant Taylor to prepare for a starting role. You need 6+ potential starters in a rotation. Maybe he starts for some of the year and ends in the bullpen like Crochet did in 2024. I would target 130-140 innings for him. But I will list him as part of the bullpen below.
I am ok waiting to see if Mune can keep up the production and sign him in 2028. I think the pre-injury Mune is closer to his true form than post-injury Mune, but the Joey Gallo risk is there. Let's see how things go.
Totally ok with Colson at short. He is a great defender actually, and I think Fuller and him can tinker to find some more contact skills. I think even toning down the bat speed a little might work for Colson if he can increase the quality of contact.
Benny is an albatross on the roster. I kept him in a bench role, but I am ok pulling the DFA cord at some point in 2027. It might not make sense with injury risk to jettison a league average bat before we know we have enough league average bats, however.
Same thought process for Luis Castillo. I think he can rediscover effectiveness in 2027 actually. But I am ok DFAing him if it does not work at some point. Schultz, Sandlin, Thorpe, ect. all deserve starts. Castillo either pitches well, or he is gone in May.
I think building up Hagen Smith's innings in the bullpen then transition him to starting in 2028, similar to Grant Taylor, is good. Aim for around 100 innings in 2027 for Smith
Position Players
C: Kyle Teel ($780K)
1B: Munetaka Murakami ($17M)
2B: Chase Meidroth ($780K)
SS: Colson Montgomery ($780K)
3B: Miguel Vargas ($5.4M)
LF: Taylor Ward ($17.5M)
CF: Tristen Peters ($780K)
RF: Braden Montgomery ($780K)
DH: Sam Antonacci ($780K)
Backup catcher: Edgar Quero/Drew Romo ($780K)
Backup outfielder: Brenton Doyle ($3.4M)
Utility: Acuna/Brooks Baldwin/spring training battle ($780K)
Bench bat: Andrew Benintendi ($14.5M)
Pitchers
SP: Sean Burke ($780K)
SP: Sonny Gray ($25M)
SP: Davis Martin ($780K)
SP: Anthony Kay ($6M)
SP: Luis Castillo ($25M)
"Closer": Ryan Helsley ($10M)
RP: Grant Taylor ($780K)
RP: Hagen Smith ($780K)
RP: Jordan Hicks ($8.5M)
RP: Erick Fedde ($4M)
RP: Huascar Brazoban ($1.6M0
RP: Bryan Hudson ($780K)
RP: Mike Vasil/bullpen battle ($780K)
26-man payroll: $147.54 million. It is overbudget, but nothing crazy. The Sox should be able to spend this money given the year they had. I am sure the season tickets are increasing, or at least the 10-ticket flex packs I like.
I kind of hate to say it, but I can see this roster both contending or providing some value if they scuttle and have to sell at the deadline. Hoping for the best, but you could also sell off all the veterans and build in 2028 around the young core if things do not go well.
