The Chicago White Sox were one of the worst teams ever in 2024, but here are some things they can do to improve in 2025.
For as bad as the White Sox have been over the last few years, their farm system is underwhelming, having only four prospects in their system ranking in the top 100 in baseball.
Also, due to the new MLB Draft Lottery, after picking fifth in this past year’s draft, the White Sox cannot have a top-10 pick in next year’s draft. So, the team that just put up one of the worst seasons of baseball ever will have a draft pick outside the top-10.
The White Sox have already made multiple moves this offseason which include the signing of outfielder Austin Slater for one year, $1.75 million.
Chicago also declined third baseman Yoán Moncada’s club option for $25 million, which made him a free agent and cut down unnecessary money going to a player on the decline.
FREE AGENTS
The White Sox are not going to be the team to go out and make any big splash free agency signings, but they should consider signing veteran players to short-term contracts.
By doing this, the Sox can flip some of these players at the July trade deadline to bolster their lackluster farm system.
CATCHER KYLE HIGASHIOKA, TWO YEARS, $6 MILLION
Higashioka is a veteran catcher coming off the best season of his career, slugging 17 homeruns for the San Diego Padres, who can provide good offensive production from behind the plate for Chicago.
PITCHER KYLE GIBSON, ONE YEAR, $7 MILLION
Gibson is a 12-year major league veteran who could provide some stability for the large number of young pitchers in the White Sox organization.
The 37-year-old spent last season with the St. Louis Cardinals and pitched to an 8-8 record with an ERA of 4.24.
THIRD BASEMAN J.D. DAVIS, ONE YEAR, $4 MILLION
Davis has been a journeyman third baseman throughout his time in the major leagues, but can provide power and contact at third base and can provide value for potential trades at the trade deadline.
OUTFIELDER J.D. MARTINEZ, TWO YEARS, $5 MILLION
Martinez is one of the premier power hitters in the MLB over the last decade and currently ranks eighth among active players for home runs.
After having a down year this past season with the New York Mets, Martinez serves as a low-risk, high-reward signing for the White Sox who could be a key piece in a trade at the deadline or in the next offseason.
INFIELDER DONOVAN SOLANO, TWO YEARS, $5.6 MILLION
Solano is a utility player who primarily played third base last season for the Padres. He is a veteran player that can be plugged anywhere on the infield and provide a consistent bat.
Solano, like Martinez and Davis, is a candidate to be flipped at the trade deadline to help improve the White Sox farm system for long term success.
OUTFIELDER ANTHONY SANTANDER, 5 YEARS, $78 MILLION
If the White Sox were to make a splash signing, this is the one that makes the most sense. The Sox have been searching for consistent play from the right field position for years, and this signing would give them that.
Santander was third in all of MLB in home runs last year, hitting 44 long balls for the Baltimore Orioles, and was one of five switch hitters to hit more than 30 home runs.
Adding Santander to pair up with the White Sox’s power hitting center fielder Luis Robert could create one of the most powerful outfield duos in the league for years.
TRADES
Starting pitcher Garrett Crochet’s been involved in trade talks since late June. This past season was the best of Crochet’s career, earning himself an All-Star nod in July.
The southpaw’s value is extremely high this offseason, and Chicago can find a suitor for the left-hander by trading him to the Baltimore Orioles.
Baltimore made the playoffs this past season but struggled due to a lack of pitching depth. Adding Crochet to their rotation will help fill this need.
Chicago can acquire a package of starting pitcher Grayson Rodriguez, outfielder Heston Kjerstad and Baltimore’s number three prospect, outfielder Vance Honeycutt, in exchange for Crochet.
Another trade the White Sox should consider would be to trade outfielder Andrew Benintendi and first baseman Andrew Vaughn.
Benintendi owns the richest contract in White Sox history at five years, $75 million, but has not been able to produce at a high level for the White Sox.
Vaughn and Benintendi can be packaged to the Tampa Bay Rays for closer Pete Fairbanks, which provides Chicago with a high-leverage reliever, which is something they lacked in 2024.
These moves may not make the Sox a contender in 2025, but for a team that finished 41-121 in 2024, there’s nowhere to go but up. Right?
