With the offseason quickly approaching, the White Sox front office has some business to take care of before they can start executing their plan to build the team for next year. In addition to determining which arbitration-eligible players will receive contracts for next season, they must evaluate the team’s impending free agents and decide whether to bring them back in 2027.
Sean Newcomb
There is a strong argument that Newcomb was one of the MVP’s of the 2026 White Sox. After signing a one-year/$4.5 million contract last offseason, he appeared in 60 games in the regular season and recorded an excellent 3.09 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 8.4 K/9 in 90.1 innings. He was used in every role imaginable, starting in six games as an opener while also accumulating four saves and 12 holds in the late innings. He often pitched for multiple innings at a time and was one of the key high-leverage relievers used throughout the course of the season. His performance declined somewhat in the home stretch, likely due to overuse, but he was still worth every penny they paid him.
Keeping him around could prove to be a challenge. Even as a 33-year-old, he figures to get a substantial raise based on his performance last season and will have no shortage of suitors in free agency. It’s possible the White Sox might not want to give him the type of contract he could be offered elsewhere. While I feel it is unlikely he will return, he should absolutely be welcomed back if he is open to the possibility and if the dollar amount is reasonable.
Decision: bring back if possible, but will likely go elsewhere because of money
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Randal Grichuk
Grichuk is another player who far exceeded expectations and stepped up big for the 2026 squad. He signed with the White Sox for just $1.25 million in early May after being designated for assignment by the Yankees and put up tremendous numbers in a platoon role on the South Side. He hit 21 doubles and 15 home runs in just 101 games with the White Sox while recording a .926 OPS, 54% better than the league average hitter.
Given his career norms and age, I would not expect him to replicate his 2026 production if they brought him back next season. That said, he was a great fit for the team from a roster standpoint and as a veteran leader in the clubhouse. Even if his numbers take a step back, he should be useful against lefties again and would have a clear role on the team. He is another guy I would welcome back on a one-year deal as a bench bat and lefty masher.
Decision: bring back on a short-term deal if he’s open to it
Erick Fedde
Fedde is one of the few players I can remember who has played well with the White Sox but has struggled everywhere else in MLB. After a career stretch with the White Sox in the first half of 2024, he bounced around among three teams in 2025 and struggled mightily with all of them.
He ultimately returned to the White Sox as a free agent on a one-year/$1.5 million deal in February and did an admirable job in his second stint. While his numbers were nowhere near as impressive as they were in 2024, he recorded a respectable 3.83 ERA in 141 innings across 33 games, pitching both as a starter and reliever.
Fedde is someone I would consider the epitome of a team player. He accepted whatever role he was given and more often than not, gave the team a chance to win. I wouldn’t promise him a rotation spot next year, but am fine with him returning as a swingman-type out of the bullpen.
Decision: bring him back if he is willing to accept a swingman role
Trevor Richards
Acquired in a minor trade with the Phillies in early May, the 33-year-old right-hander did a good enough job in the role he was asked to fill. Richards recorded a respectable 3.78 ERA in 52 appearances, largely in mop-up duty out of the bullpen. He was effective in that role because he rarely walked anyone and ate innings when the outcome of the game had already been decided. He was prone to giving up the long ball however, allowing 12 in 78.2 innings.
I wish him well but feel they can find someone with more upside for that spot in next year’s bullpen.
Decision: let him go
Jake Rogers
Rogers was claimed off waivers in mid-August amid the White Sox catcher crisis after Kyle Teel got hurt. He accumulated only 46 plate appearances in 18 games and didn’t do much of note other than his walk-off homer against the Mets. With Kyle Teel, Edgar Quero, and potentially Joey Bart all ahead of him on the depth chart at the catching position, I don’t think it’s necessary to bring him back unless it’s on a minor league deal with a spring training invite to compete for the backup catcher job.
Decision: let him go unless he’s open to a minor league deal
Tommy Pham
Another player who didn’t see much action, Pham appeared in only eight regular-season games for the White Sox after being acquired at the end of August. He was brought in as an experienced right-handed bench bat down the stretch, but as a 38-year-old with a questionable clubhouse reputation, his services aren’t needed next year.
Decision: let him go
