Sean Newcomb’s desire to start makes sense for his career, but it may run directly against what the White Sox actually need.
The Chicago White Sox got a deal done with left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb earlier this offseason. It was a one-year contract worth $4.5 million — a great value for one of the best left-handed relief arms on the market.
Newcomb is coming off a season split between the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics, where he posted a 2.73 ERA over 92.1 innings. That was his highest workload since 2018, back when he was a promising 25-year-old starter with the Atlanta Braves.
I loved the move at the time. It improved the White Sox bullpen, exactly as the front office said it wanted to do this winter. Newcomb wasn’t the closer or late-inning arm Sox fans were dreaming about, but pairing him with Mike Vasil in a long-relief role gave Chicago a versatile, left-handed option that should produce.
That was, until reports surfaced that the White Sox planned to give Newcomb a chance to start in spring training.
Peculiar.
At first, I brushed it off as due diligence — get him stretched out, see what he looks like, and keep him ready in case a spot start is needed during the 2026 season. That’s normal.
Then Newcomb went on Foul Territory and was asked directly about his role by White Sox legend A.J. Pierzynski. His answer made things much murkier.
“The goal is to start and just get to the most innings possible,” Newcomb said.
“I know [the White Sox] do have some young guys coming up starter-wise, but just for me and where I’m at in my career, getting some starts in — hopefully as many as possible up to the 30 — and just kind of taking that next step is my main goal.”
Newcomb wants to be a starting pitcher — and this mindset was shaped during conversations with the White Sox before he signed. That’s what gives me pause.
I’m not convinced it’s the best thing for him, or for the club.
Newcomb is simply better in a relief role. That’s not really up for debate based on what we just watched in 2025.
As a starter, he posted a 4.43 ERA with a 2.45 strikeout-to-walk ratio, while allowing opponents to hit .348 with a .423 on-base percentage and an .836 OPS.
As a reliever, those numbers dropped to a 2.19 ERA, a 3.20 strikeout-to-walk ratio, a .240 batting average, a .303 OBP, and a .640 OPS.
That’s a massive difference — better across the board.
So why would it benefit either Newcomb or the White Sox to put him in the role where he’s been far less effective? Because he wants to build innings and get paid like a starter next winter?
On top of that, one of Chris Getz’s stated goals this offseason was to protect his young arms. That’s the whole point of bringing in veterans in the first place — to keep the kids from being overworked.
Yet Newcomb hasn’t topped 100 innings since 2018. That’s eight years ago. He’s also dealt with elbow inflammation and knee surgery in recent seasons. Banking on him as a meaningful rotation piece for innings feels like a major — and unnecessary — gamble.
And if Newcomb is in the rotation, where does that leave the bullpen help the White Sox have teased all winter? The White Sox deliberately discussed adding reliable relief pitchers. Newcomb as a long reliever fits that plan. Newcomb as a starter muddies it.
I’m fascinated to see how this plays out in spring training and how the rest of Chicago’s offseason moves shape expectations for him by the time the team arrives at Camelback Ranch.
Because right now, there’s a pretty clear disconnect between what the White Sox need — and what Sean Newcomb wants.