Chicago White Sox GM Chris Getz laid out a clear offseason blueprint at the Winter Meetings — but so far, Chicago’s moves haven't accomplished what he set out to do.
I’ll give Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz credit where it’s due.
It has been a surprisingly active offseason for his club, and up to this point he has done a solid job building a roster that can take another real step forward in 2026.
I’ve nitpicked and raised an eyebrow at certain decisions along the way, but the overall trajectory of the White Sox is encouraging. That applies to the big-league roster, the farm system, and — maybe most importantly — the organization’s infrastructure, from scouting to analytics and player development.
All of that reflects well on Getz. His tenure has been a success so far, even if the win-loss record hasn’t caught up yet.
But I’ll be honest: I’m confused about what the White Sox are actually planning to do with the rest of this offseason. They still have obvious holes to fill, and some of the moves they’ve made already contradict what Getz himself said earlier this winter.
When he sat down with MLB Network during the Winter Meetings in Orlando, Getz outlined what he wanted to accomplish. Beyond the usual generalities about improving both the present and the future, he was specific about two priorities.
“We want to bring in some arms that can help protect these young players, but also pitch some quality innings. Obviously, you never feel like you can have enough pitching.
And then offensively, our second half was pretty strong. It really was. We took a big step forward. But to find some mature bats to really surround these young players, I think would be beneficial.”
So far, Chicago has checked only one of those boxes.
By signing Anthony Kay to a two-year deal after his return from Japan, the White Sox added a starting pitcher with some upside who can, at the very least, eat innings and help protect the younger arms. I still think they need another rotation addition to truly accomplish that goal — but it’s a real start, and it shows Getz wasn’t just talking.
What they haven’t done is add those “mature bats.”
Yes, they landed Munetaka Murakami on a two-year, $34 million deal, and that’s a big swing. Murakami brings real power and could transform the lineup if it clicks. But he’s not what I would describe as a mature bat.
The swing-and-miss, the strikeout rate, and the lack of experience against high-end velocity are exactly why his market cooled in the first place. Murakami is a high-ceiling, high-variance player — but he also has an extremely low floor. That’s not the kind of stabilizing presence Getz was talking about in Orlando.
The White Sox couldn't even dream about adding a player like Murakami at the time of the interview in question.
If the goal was to add experienced hitters who could provide a steadying influence around the young core, the White Sox did the opposite. They non-tendered Mike Tauchman and replaced him with a collection of upside plays and lottery tickets.
That includes unproven imports like Murakami, career minor leaguers like Tanner Murray and Tristan Peters, and former top prospects who haven’t figured it out in the majors, such as Everson Pereira and Jarred Kelenic.
Some, maybe all of those moves have merit. But none of them fit the profile of the “mature bats” Getz said he was targeting.
Unless he plans to contradict himself, that means the White Sox aren’t done.
Right field remains the most obvious hole. It’s the cleanest place to add a veteran who can play every day, raise the floor of the lineup, and not block any of the club’s long-term pieces.
That’s why I’ve wondered if Chicago might try to work something out for Nick Castellanos with the Phillies. It’s why I’ve been pushing for a short-term deal with someone like Austin Hays. Those are the types of experienced hitters who could provide real lineup protection and help this team take another step forward.
If the White Sox head into spring training with the roster exactly as it stands now, I won’t be able to ignore the disconnect. Getz laid out a clear vision for this offseason — and right now, Chicago has only followed through on half of it.