2025-26 MLB Offseason Recap: Chicago White Sox

The next part of the White Sox’s rebuild phase took place this winter. Even though the Sox traded away one of the franchise’s most notable names, the team added more veterans to supplement a young group that showed promising returns in 2025. Slugger Munetaka Murakami was one of the notable names brought in over the offseason.

Additions

• INF Luisangel Acuna
• RP Alexander Alberto
• RP Seranthony Dominguez
• SP Erick Fedde
• OF Austin Hays
• RP Jordan Hicks
• SP Anthony Kay
• 1B/3B Munetaka Murakami
• INF Tanner Murray
• RP Sean Newcomb
• SP/RP Jedixson Paez
• OF Everson Pereira
• SP David Sandlin

The White Sox were the winners for Munetaka Murakami, the Japanese slugger who hit a lot of home runs with Yakult in the NPB but also struck out a lot in Japan. However, Chicago only gave him a short-term deal, meaning the risk is relatively low for the White Sox.

Murakami wasn’t the only notable grab from Japan by the White Sox. Left-hander Anthony Kay, after a stint with Yokohama in the NPB, will look to fill out the team’s rotation in 2026. Kay received extensive work as a starter in Japan, a role he didn’t work in much at the Major League level.

As for other notable pitching acquisitions, Erick Fedde returns to the White Sox. Fedde had a fantastic run with the team in 2024 but struggled mightily to get outs last season, no matter which team he pitched for in 2025.

Aside from those three, the White Sox looked for depth adds, not surprising given that Chicago is still in a rebuild.

The White Sox took on the contract of Jordan Hicks to acquire David Sandlin, one of the better pitching prospects in the Red Sox system, and a hard-thrower who can miss bats. Everson Pereira, a power-hitting outfielder but one with a swing-and-miss tendency, was added from the Rays alongside Tanner Murray.

Sean Newcomb and Seranthony Dominguez, two of the better Major League relievers from 2025, also joined the Sox during the winter.

Alberto and Paez were Rule 5 Draft picks this past December.

Losses

• SP/RP Tyler Alexander
• RP Cam Booser
• RP Fraser Ellard
• SP Yoendrys Gomez
• SP Martin Perez
• OF Luis Robert Jr.
• OF Mike Tauchman
• OF Michael A. Taylor
• RP Steven Wilson

The saga of Luis Robert Jr. in Chicago is over.

Robert Jr. was shipped off to the Mets in January, as part of a three-player trade that netted the Sox Luisangel Acuna and a Minor League pitcher. It wasn’t a major return, even though Acuna was at one point a very significant prospect. However, the trade came after Robert Jr. had a very down 2025 season.

Austin Hays, signed after a good season in Cincinnati last year, will look to replace some of the production left behind.

As far as other losses were concerned, the Sox shipped off Steven Wilson and Yoendrys Gomez to get Pereira and Murray. Michael A. Taylor and Fraser Ellard retired after last season.

Overview

From a raw total perspective, the White Sox added more pieces this past winter compared to the 2024-25 offseason. And, more importantly, more impact players were brought in.

Munetaka Murakami has the potential to hit 30 home runs, particularly since he will go to an environment in Chicago that could be favorable to him. Add him to a group with Kyle Teel. Colson Montgomery and the other youngsters on the team, like Edgar Quero and Miguel Vargas, and things may look up for the Sox’s offense in 2026.

However, like with any young rebuilding team, the onus will be on how the next wave of prospects can impact the team.