White Sox Offseason: Is the Bullpen a Free Agency Need?

We already know some of the more obvious needs the Chicago White Sox will be looking to address in free agency in the coming weeks.

The White Sox need at least one, if not multiple, starting pitchers. And according to GM Chris Getz, the team is looking to upgrade in the outfield as well.

That doesn't mean the White Sox should be limited to those position groups when making acquisitions. I've already highlighted backup catcher as an underrated need for the White Sox, given the volatility they experienced at the position in 2026.

Then there's the bullpen, a strength for the White Sox in 2026, even if it took some time for things to settle in and find their structure. A bullpen will never be perfect, and Chicago's was far from it last year. But by the time the team reached the postseason, its core of relief pitchers was more of a weapon than a liability.

We cannot overlook, though, some impactful turnover in that area.

Left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb is a free agent and should have plenty of suitors after what he showed in Chicago. Newcomb was an unsung hero of that White Sox pitching staff. His versatility allowed Will Venable to deploy him as an opener, a multi-inning relief arm and, at times, a high-leverage option. Not only did he eat innings, but he gave the White Sox a steady left-handed arm that made life easier on the rest of Chicago's relievers.

Erick Fedde is also a free agent. He returned to Chicago on a one-year deal last winter but had a season in which he posted a 3.83 ERA over 141 innings. While Fedde spent the majority of the year in the White Sox starting rotation, during the back half of the season and the playoffs, Fedde was used as a multi-inning relief arm.

Fedde, like Newcomb, was another one of those Swiss Army knives for Will Venable to turn to when needed. They were a big reason Chicago's bullpen was so deep, versatile and reliable.

So, without either of them currently in the fold for 2027, perhaps the White Sox could stand to improve the bullpen with a free agent signing or two.

While not technically official, I do expect Grant Taylor to be back in the White Sox bullpen in 2027.

There's been some speculation that Chicago could look to move Taylor to the starting rotation. But why rob Peter to pay Paul? Taylor is one of your most valuable arms, and he emerged last season as one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball. He can come in for a multi-inning save or be used in the middle of a game to stop the bleeding and slam the door. Taylor is Chicago's best relief arm, and I don't see that changing next season.

I think much of the same could be said about left-hander Hagen Smith. There were some questions about Smith based on what he showed in Triple-A Charlotte last season. But his potential was on full display over 28 MLB innings with a 1.29 ERA in his rookie campaign.

Smith is another pitcher who can throw multiple innings, and with Newcomb no longer under contract, his role will be even more important in 2027.

Because Smith is a natural starting pitcher and was drafted to be a starting pitcher, there may be some hesitancy for the White Sox to keep him in the bullpen. Ultimately, though, his control has been too volatile in extended outings as a starter. Until that gets rectified, the best use for Hagen Smith is to have him be an effective arm in shorter stints out of the bullpen. Paired with Taylor, he could give the White Sox a lights-out one-two punch.

Jordan Hicks and Bryan Hudson each had very respectable seasons in 2026 and will be back with the White Sox in 2027. Hudson is another left-handed option that the White Sox will probably use frequently as an opener next season.

As disappointing as he was at times for the White Sox following the trade deadline, I'd have to imagine Huascar Brazobán remains in Chicago's plans. Between the Mets and the White Sox last season, Brazobán made 60 appearances and had a 2.96 ERA over 67 innings. He still has multiple years of club control remaining and should be on the Opening Day roster.

Beyond those five, the White Sox have three spots in the bullpen remaining. There's probably a third left-hander who makes the roster on Opening Day. That could be Tyler Schweitzer, Chris Murphy or a new arm the White Sox acquire this winter.

I'd also expect the White Sox to have a long relief option in their bullpen, someone to take Eric Fedde's spot. Maybe that's Mike Vasil when he's fully healthy. Maybe it's one of their young starting pitchers, like David Sandlin or Drew Thorpe, who doesn't make the cut for the starting rotation. Maybe we finally see Shane Smith back on the South Side.

There's obviously some room to maneuver beyond that. The White Sox won't keep just eight relief pitchers all season. There will be an assembly line of arms that come and go. Tyler Davis will contribute to this team, and pitchers like Pierce George, Nick Altermatt and Jaden Woods, who are in Triple-A Charlotte, seem poised to make their MLB debuts at some point.

But there's inarguably room for the White Sox to add. They don't need to do much, but one relief pitcher, probably a left-hander, should be on their radar this winter.

You'd like to see the White Sox have a more reliable option than Chris Murphy or Tyler Schweitzer for the time being. And they may need it if Hagen Smith ultimately lands in the starting rotation rather than serving as a left-handed bullpen option.

The bullpen is a strength for the White Sox, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be looking for ways to improve it this offseason.