The Chicago White Sox enter next season looking to turn things around after a disappointing 2024 season. With no path forward but upwards, the need for improvement has never been more apparent.
Here are five blockbusters the White Sox must make this offseason to lay the foundation for a turnaround in 2025 and beyond.
5 blockbusters the White Sox must make this offseason
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#5 Sign Pete Alonso
The White Sox, who ranked last in the majors with 133 home runs last season, need a hit. Adding a bat like Pete Alonso would add 30 to 40 home runs to last year’s total. Chicago will also be acquiring a first baseman with above-average defensive ability.
Additionally, Alonso could step into the DH if needed, giving the Sox flexibility. A multi-year deal is likely, but Chicago can afford to sign a slugger like Alonso to a long-term deal.
#4 Chase Alex Bregman
If the Sox can’t sign Alonso, they could back up Brinks’ truck for Alex Bregman. Like Alonso, Bregman instantly upgraded Chicago’s batting order while reinforcing the left side of the infield.
Bregman’s transfer fee won’t be cheap, but that probably won’t be an issue since the Sox don’t have a big contract that eats into his salary. They can afford to splurge on key players who have plenty of thread left on their tires.
#3 Sign Jack Flaherty
The White Sox also need pitchers. So why not pursue Jack Flaherty? He’s not a top rotation arm, but he could easily stabilize last year’s staff. Chicago ranked 28th in the majors with an ERA of 4.67. Flaherty easily surpasses that number while starting at least 25 games next season.
The cost isn’t astronomical, making Flaherty a surprisingly affordable option and allowing the club to still pursue other weapons. Acquiring Flaherty would be a good start, especially after releasing Garrett Crochet to Boston.
2nd place Lando Justin Verlander
Justin Verlander is already 42 years old, but he’s a high-end starter who could immediately break the Sox’s mid-major strikeout numbers. Chicago was 17th in the league with 1,366 Ks.
In last year’s injury-shortened season, Verlander struck out 74 batters in 98 innings. That strikeout rate is something the ChiSox desperately need, even from a 42-year-old pitcher.
#1 Beau Bichette Trade
The Toronto Blue Jays are in trouble with two young stars in Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Bo Bichette.
The Blue Jays will need to re-sign both players, who will be free agents after the season. It’s possible that both will be re-signed, but it’s also possible that the club could trade one or both.
The most likely trade candidate seems to be Bichette, who had a relatively lackluster season last year. Adding Bichette to the White Sox lineup gives the team someone to add to their lineup. Adding either Pete Alonso or Alex Bregman would immediately put Chicago in a position to assemble a core that could potentially compete at some point in the near future.
Bichette’s deal may not be as expensive as originally thought. The Sox could offload Bichette for a draft pick and a prospect, giving him a chance to surpass last season’s 41 wins.
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Edited by Victor Ramon Galvez
