Are the White Sox reconstructed, reenergized, and ready to avoid another 100+ loss season?
It’s been an offseason of reconstruction and roster overhaul. Many familiar names and faces have faded, replaced by a cast of newcomers assembled through trades, free agency, and waiver wire claims. The new 26-man reads like a Broadway playbill, with a few names you sort of recognize and a whole bunch you’ve never heard of.
However, the most significant move of the offseason was hiring a new manager to lead the charge and guide the South Siders through this latest rebuild. Following a historically awful season, Chris Getz selected Will Venable as the 44th skipper in franchise history. Tasked with salvaging the South Siders from the wreckage of back-to-back 100-loss seasons, can he rewrite the narrative and avert a historic trifecta of futility? That’s a complicated question that will test the patience of even the most loyal fans.
Here’s the most up-to-date roster makeup. The 40-man roster is full, and 31 players remain in camp. That leaves five final cuts looming. I’m not sure what they’re waiting for. Does someone need to remind them that Opening Day is a little more than 24 hours away? Maybe Getz and Venable are putting names in a hat or something?
The biggest surprise here is cutting loose Oscar Colás. Just two years ago, he was the starting right fielder, with his face on banners all over the stadium. The White Sox signed the Cuban prospect to a $2.7 million contract in January 2022. At the time, given his two-way player background, some in the media coined him the “Cuban Ohtani.” My, how the mighty have fallen.
OK, let’s examine what has transpired over the past five months in preparation for the 2025 season.
- Trades — The White Sox engaged in several trades; the most notable, of course, was sending Garrett Crochet to the Boston Red Sox in a multi-player deal. The Good Guys also acquired catcher Matt Thaiss from the Chicago Cubs, reliever Cam Booser from the Boston Red Sox, and southpaw Tyler Gilbert from the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Waiver Claims — The Pale Hose plucked righthander Penn Murfee, infielder Jacob Amaya, lefty Brandon Eisert, and hurler Mike Vasil from their respective squads. Of the bunch, Vasil is probably the most interesting. A 2021 eighth-round pick of the New York Mets who once ranked as high as No. 10 in their system is a towering presence on the mound at 6´5´´ and 244 pounds. The 25-year-old commands a four-pitch arsenal, led by a four-seam fastball that touches 98 mph but typically ranges from 92-95 mph. He complements this with a mid-80s slider exhibiting cutter-like movement, a 12-6 curveball, and a changeup deployed primarily against left-handed hitters. Vasil, however, is a Rule 5 pick who must remain on Chicago’s roster all season or return him to the Tampa Bay Rays, who acquired him in a trade in December 2024.
- Free Agent Signings The team made various free agent signings, focusing on players with shorter-term contracts. To fill in the gaping lineup holes, Getz added veteran outfielders Michael A. Taylor, Austin Slater, and Mike Tauchman, as well as infielder Josh Rojas. Only Rojas was signed for as much as $3 million. On the pitching side, the Sox inked Martín Pérez to add some seasoned big league experience to a primarily sophomore starting rotation. Reliever Bryse Wilson also provides an additional option out of the bullpen.
- Roster Adjustments — There seemed to be a concentrated effort in the offseason to build depth within the organization. This was reflected in the numerous minor league signings, including pitcher Justin Dunn, outfielder Cal Mitchell, infielder Nick Maton, and journeymen Brandon Drury and Travis Jankowski. Dunn, a former first-round pick (No. 19) of the Mets, was sharp in his four Spring Training appearances. The 29-year-old surrendered only three hits and one run over eight frames. He has not pitched professionally though since 2022 due to various injury issues, the most serious being a torn anterior capsule. The veteran Drury had a monster spring and looked like a lock for the 26-man roster. Unfortunately, he suffered a broken left thumb, and the Sox chose to release him rather than let him take up a 40-man spot and open the season on the IL. It is possible that he reunites with the team after rehab, but due to his strong performance, he likely ends up somewhere else.
Chicago’s offseason moves clearly reflect an effort to rebuild and provide a fresh start for the 2025 season. Whether fans approve of it or not, it seems the front office finally has some direction. Though, ultimately, the franchise’s long-term success will hinge on how effectively the new plan comes together under Venable’s leadership. Stay tuned.