General manager Chris Getz downplayed the possibility of multi-year free agent pickups. “Free agency is a way to bring in players to help with the winning total, but to go beyond this upcoming season I think it would be a little premature given the state of our club at the moment,” the General Manager said. Scott Merkin of MLB.com. The Sox issued one multi-year free agent contract during Getz’s first two offseasons — the two-year, $15 million deal that would yield Erik Fedde back from Korea in 2023.
Chicago handed out six Free Agent contracts in the Major League last winter. All were one-year deals worth no more than $5 million. The long-term books are wide open. Their only commitments for 2027 are a salary of $14.5 million Andreas Benintendi to complete his five-year deal and a $2 million buyout on a $20 million club option Luis Robert Jr. The White Sox could afford to make multi-year commitments, even though they clearly won’t be involved Kyle Tucker offer. It seems like they’re content to be in the thick of free agency once again.
Perhaps the Sox will encounter another situation like Fedde’s that will lead them to at least consider a modest two-year offer. Cody Ponce, Antonius Kaij And Foster Griffin all pitched in Asia last season, but could consider a return to the MLB. Ponce would seemingly have the best chance of that group to land a two-year contract. A rehabilitation of an injured pitcher Jordan Montgomery, Canning griffin or Nestor Cortes could strike a cheap, delayed two-year deal.
Merkin writes in a separate column that the White Sox will be eyeing the market for a veteran starter who can get a few innings off their own weapons. That could easily be a one-year contract. The Sox tried that route with a $5 million signing Martin Perez last winter. It didn’t really work, as Pérez was limited to 10 starts due to forearm and shoulder injuries. He pitched well — probably better than the Sox expected — but couldn’t eat up many innings or earn them a lottery ticket at the deadline. Candidates for such a contract this winter include: Tyler Anderson, Patrick Korbin, Michael Lorenzen and old friend Jose Quintana.
It also seems likely to be a quiet winter on the trade front. Getz made the biggest move during his tenure as GM when he left Garrett hook for four prospects last season. They don’t have anyone around in the trading bloc now. Robert is their standout veteran player, but he is unlikely to move before the deadline approaches. As MLBTR’s Steve Adams explored when the Sox exercised their option this morning, other teams are unlikely to meet Chicago’s high asking price for the center fielder after another inconsistent and injury-plagued season.
Robert showed enough in the second half for the White Sox to roll the dice on a $20 million salary. Getz said tonight that while the front office won’t close the door on trade opportunities, they do expect him to be part of the team heading into next season. “We plan on (Robert) wearing a White Sox uniform,” Getz told reporters (via Merkin). “What he did in the second half was very indicative of what he is capable of and the impact that can have on our team. If there are opportunities for us to strengthen the organization, we will have those conversations. But as it stands now, we are strongly preparing for Luis Robert to play in midfield.”
Without Robert, there likely won’t be any more high-profile White Sox trades. They have an uphill battle to find any interest in Benintendi, who is owed $31 million over the next two seasons. They were able to find a modest return for the veteran corner outfielder Mike Tauchmanutility infielder Sosa Island or third catcher Korey Lee.
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