Three offseason focal points for White Sox

The Chicago White Sox had nowhere to go but up in 2025.

Based on that criteria, the 2025 season was a success. The White Sox finished 19 games better than 2024 when they set the modern record with 121 losses. Players such as shortstop Colson Montgomery, pitcher Shane Smith and catcher Kyle Teel began to establish themselves as building blocks. 

Although the White Sox are unlikely to contend in 2026, the future is bright on the south side of Chicago. Let's take a look at three areas the White Sox should focus on during the 2025-26 offseason.

Three moves for the Chicago White Sox to focus on during the offseason

1. Gauge the market for outfielder Luis Robert Jr.

After a lackluster 2024 showing, Robert further torpedoed his trade value during the first half of the season, posting a .185/.270/.313 batting line in 285 plate appearances, hitting eight homers and eight doubles. Robert did steal 22 bases, but he was not close to his All-Star performance in 2023.

Robert gave the White Sox reason for optimism after he returned from a strained left hamstring. He posted a .293/.349/.459 batting line in 146 plate appearances, hitting six homers and four doubles before being lost for the season after straining his left hamstring again. Robert does have a pair of team options at $20M per, making him an expensive gamble. However, if his second-half performance is a precursor for 2026, he could be a bargain.

2. Add the right veteran players

The free agent bargain bin could be a gold mine for rebuilding teams such as the White Sox. Players entering free agency after a down year could be looking for a one-year, make-good contract, hoping to re-establish themselves before re-entering the market in search of a larger payday.

The White Sox may find value in that market aside from what those players could theoretically bring on the trade front. The likes of first baseman Carlos Santana, infielder Jose Iglesias and pitcher Dustin May have been on playoff teams during their career. That veteran leadership, and knowledge of what it takes to win in the majors, could make a future impact on the young White Sox.

3. Figure out the back of the bullpen

Eight different pitchers recorded saves for the White Sox in 2025, led by Jordan Leasure's seven. The White Sox also blew 24 saves, 11th worst in the majors, and a significant amount for a team that won just 60 games. 

While putting a lockdown closer on a rebuilding team is the baseball equivalent of putting a $10K stereo system in a Yugo, solidifying the back of the bullpen would help the White Sox get closer to contending. Although Grant Taylor, who was second on the White Sox with six saves, is likely to return to the rotation in 2026, there are options available. 

Leasure had been viewed as a closer of the future for the White Sox when he was acquired from the Dodgers. Vasil (2.9 bWAR) was the White Sox third most valuable player. Either reliever could be an option going forward. Otherwise, the White Sox may want to take a one-year flier on the likes of Jordan Romano to see if he has anything left in the tank.