ORLANDO, Fla. — Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz described the first day of the annual MLB winter meetings as “pretty busy.”
“We have a big group here and getting together and having some discussions and talking to other clubs and agents,” Getz said Monday.
“It’s a good opportunity to get everyone together like we normally do at winter meetings and try to find ways to build this club out and build momentum going into next year.”
Here are three Sox takeaways from Day 1 of the winter meetings.
1. The Sox are searching for ‘a bat that can help.’
Chicago White Sox shortstop Brooks Baldwin in a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at Rate Field in Chicago on April 30, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
When it comes to outfield depth, Getz said the Sox are “going to continue to find ways to add.”
“We brought in Everson (Pereira, via a Nov. 18 trade with the Tampa Bay Rays), we’ve got (top prospect) Braden Montgomery in the wings, we’ve got Luis Robert manning center field, we’ve got (left fielder Andrew Benintendi), we’ve got Brooks Baldwin,” Getz said.
The Sox see the possibility of Montgomery, who reached Double A in 2025, aiding the Sox at the major-league level at some point in 2026.
Robert, Benintendi, Baldwin, Pereira and Derek Hill are the five outfielders currently on the team’s 40-man roster.
“With everything still developing early in the offseason here, and I know that we have some work to do,” manager Will Venable said. “Bringing Derek Hill back is great. Obviously, picking up Luis’ ($20 million club) option. We have Benintendi in the mix. Obviously, we lost (Mike) Tauchman (non-tendered in November) for the time being.
“We have some moves still to be made and look forward to seeing how it all rounds out. But, really happy with some of the guys we have.”
Getz said the corner outfield is “an area that really can boost our overall production.”
“Primarily, it’s really finding a bat that can help things,” Getz said of any possible addition. “And if that’s in the outfield, that’s the most obvious place to look to add that.”
2. The Sox are interested in relievers capable of working in ‘higher-leverage situations.’
Chicago White Sox relief pitcher Jordan Leasure delivers in the eighth inning of a game against the Miami Marlins at Rate Field in Chicago on May 10, 2025. (Chris Sweda/Chicago Tribune)
The Sox had the fewest saves in the majors (25), but that doesn’t mean they are specifically aiming to add a closer this offseason.
“More than anything, we’re looking to help our bullpen,” Getz said. “And there are different ways of doing that.
“I wouldn’t say it’s a set closer, so to speak. It would be nice to get someone who has closer experience, but that doesn’t mean it’s going to be a ninth-inning guy, or even an eighth-inning guy. Someone that can help in higher-leverage situations is something that we’re set out to add.”
Jordan Leasure collected a team-high seven saves in 2025. Grant Taylor was next on the list with six.
“I think the idea of a traditional closer is great, if you have the six-, seven-, eight-inning guys also,” Venable said. “Leverage aside, you just want to have good players and good pitchers.”
On pitching in general, the Sox also remain interested in more rotation options.
“I think it’s fair to assume that we’re going to continue to add to our starting pitching,” Getz said. “I think that’s the best way to sum up our future actions.”
3. Venable is experiencing a ‘different’ offseason.
Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable walks in the dugout before the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Rate Field on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)
Last winter, Venable was gearing up for his first season as a major-league manager. With a full season as the skipper behind him, Venable said this offseason has been “a lot different.”
“Especially because we were hiring so many people early (this offseason) and trying to figure out that process, so a lot of Zoom calls, a lot of phone calls — which I was on the other end of that last offseason leading up to this,” Venable said.
Derek Shomon is the new hitting coach and Zach Bove is the new pitching coach.
“Those guys are very good with connecting with players,” Venable said.
Getz said Shomon and Bove “fit in really well with Will and (bench coach) Walker (McKinven) and our front office.”
“And most importantly, I think they’re going to connect really well to our players,” Getz said. “We’ve got a lot of player feedback, just based on peers that they have with other clubs that they’re excited to work with some of our new faces, our new hires.
“We feel really good about where we’re at and once again, when you’re talking about the foundation of the organization and supporting these players the best that we can, we feel like we’re in a very good place.”