White Sox Outfielders Dominic Fletcher and Corey Julks Decline Assignment, Hit Free Agency

After being outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte earlier this week, Chicago White Sox outfielders Dominic Fletcher and Corey Julks have officially elected free agency and are no longer part of the organization.

Under MLB rules, players who have been outrighted to the minors in the past earn what’s known as “outright refusal rights.” That means when they’re designated for assignment again, they can decline a minor-league assignment and immediately become unrestricted free agents.

Fletcher had previously been outrighted by the Arizona Diamondbacks, and Julks went through the same process with the White Sox after the 2024 season. That made both of them eligible to walk away rather than report back to Charlotte once more.

And frankly, it shouldn’t surprise anyone.

Both players were productive at the Triple-A level and saw only brief looks in the big leagues in 2025. Julks hit .300 in Charlotte with 15 home runs and 30 doubles but only appeared in six games with the major league club. Fletcher posted a career-high 17 homers with a .770 OPS, yet he suited up just 12 times for Chicago.

Meanwhile, the White Sox are expected to pick up Luis Robert Jr.’s $20 million club option and already have Andrew Benintendi and Mike Tauchman under contract. I have to think there's at least one external outfield addition coming in free agency — probably a platoon bat that can step in against left-handed pitching for Tauchman — and top prospect Braden Montgomery is rising quickly through the system. The path to meaningful at-bats in 2026 just isn’t there anymore for either one of these guys.

At this stage on their respective careers, Fletcher (28) and Julks (29) need to find an organization willing to give them a real runway to establish themselves as major league contributors. There aren’t many more years left where a strong showing in Triple-A will earn them a September promotion.

Signing a minor league deal with a team like Colorado or Pittsburgh and trying to earn a spot in Spring Training makes sense. But realistically — in what world were either of these guys cracking the White Sox 26-man roster on Opening Day?

The White Sox are moving forward and trying to shed the labels tied to their 2024 season — the year both Fletcher and Julks first arrived. Chicago is shifting into a new phase, aiming higher.

And maybe for all parties involved, it’s simply time to move on.