Chris Getz: Build around this young White Sox core

The post Chris Getz: Build around this young White Sox core appeared first on Sox On 35th.

In 2024, the White Sox finished with a run differential of -306, one of MLB’s lowest marks this millennium. A year later, that number improved to -95, including a second-half tally of +3. Chris Getz, let me say the quiet part out loud: this is a squad to build around.

Coming into this campaign, a competitive 2025 ballclub was an impossibility, and a competitive 2026 ballclub was far-fetched. Yet the tables have turned thanks to a fresh young core of hitters. As a result, assembling a respectable roster for next season is a reasonable, financially feasible task for Sox management.

I’m not even asking for World Series competitive; I’m just asking for .500 and sniffing-the-playoffs competitive! That would be a huge leap in and of itself, building confidence for the youngsters and attracting 2027 free agents.

Let’s consider where the team is at. Eight hitters are either young enough and/or good enough to warrant a solid look in 2026: Luis Robert Jr., Mike Tauchman, Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel, Miguel Vargas, Chase Meidroth, Edgar Quero, and Lenyn Sosa.

They all certainly have areas to improve. Considering second-half performances as a whole, I would qualify this cohort as “average”. But “average” with four rookies and a median age of 24 likely trends towards being above-average as they mature.

Hence, there’s not even much work for Getz and Co. to do with the lineup! Step one: cut or trade Andrew Benintendi and replace him with a veteran who can hit and field adequately. Step two (less imperative): sign a true third baseman and let Sosa, Meidroth, and Vargas split ABs on the right side of the infield. None of that trio did quite enough to lock in a year-long starting spot, and they can still play in about 70% of games until answers emerge.

Pitching is where things get more interesting. To put it simply, after Shane Smith, there’s an abundance of unproven, intriguing arms vying for starting spots.

Davis Martin and Sean Burke weren’t bad, but their advanced stats were. Drew Thorpe, Mason Adams, and Ky Bush have all flashed major league potential but are coming off extended injuries. Tanner McDougal and Shane Murphy are knocking on the door after lights-out minor league campaigns. Hagen Smith and Noah Schultz each had rocky years as elite prospects, but looked lethal enough at times to project for 2026 promotions.

So yes, to some degree, the equation is similar to the offense. You have to give the young guns a chance. But three open spots up for battle seem plenty to me – Getz has every reason to sign one front-end arm to complement Smith. This will shore up the rotation and make it look like a true .500ish unit.

That leaves us with the bullpen.

As I’m writing this, I’m surprised to admit there are only a couple of moves to be made here. Grant Taylor, Jordan Leasure, and Mike Vasil are locks. Wikelman Gonzalez, a la Colson Montgomery, pitched much better with Chicago than Triple-A Charlotte and earned a 2026 spot.

Tyler Gilbert finished with a 3.88 ERA and 4.13 xERA; he could be re-signed as a southpaw option. Steven Wilson threw 58% sweepers and somehow wound up with a 3.42 ERA and 3.67 xERA; that’s a guy you’ll want.

As such, there are only one or two spots with significant room for improvement. So I say, let’s improve! Without spending too much (cough, cough, Rick Hahn), reliable lefty arms should be acquired to do so.

In summary, all I’m asking for is one or two decent bats, one go-to starter, and one or two above-average relievers. That should put anywhere from $40 to $60 million on next year’s books. Re-sign Robert Jr. and a few arbitration-eligible folks, and the team payroll is around $100 million or so, which would likely land about 17th or 18th among all franchises.

In 2022, Jerry Reinsdorf shelled out for a top-six, $203 million payroll. In 2019, amidst a similar situation organizationally to today, the South Siders compiled a $93 million payroll. Let me whip out my inflation calculator: beep-boop-beep, wow, that’s $119 million in today’s money! If we can spend it, then let’s spend it now.

We’re not asking for a World Series winner in 2026. We’re asking for common sense: invest around a cheap, young core of ballplayers while you still can.

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Featured Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Amidst rebuild hope, more patience needed from White Sox fans

The post Chris Getz: Build around this young White Sox core appeared first on Sox On 35th.