LAS VEGAS — In three weeks, movement on the market will halt as MLB owners lock out players. The dull details of negotiations on a new collective-bargaining agreement will replace conversations about the market price of a No. 3 starting pitcher.
Few major deals in baseball go down in November. But making them happen this year could be easier — if history is any indication — than trying to finalize rosters after a lockout during a hastily arranged spring training.
The 2022 White Sox signed three free agents within the first two days of the last lockout ending and traded for outfielder AJ Pollock two weeks late. All of those players contributed fewer wins above replacement that season than shortstop Elvis Andrus, who signed in mid-August.
So, yes, it would be good if the Sox checked some items off their to-do list before 11 p.m. Dec. 1, when the current CBA expires.
Here’s a second look at that list:
Keeping in mind that current statistics don’t account for the use of openers, Sox starters threw the fewest innings in MLB in 2026.
“We’re going to need more out of our starting pitching,” general manager Chris Getz said last month. “That doesn’t mean that Sean Burke or Noah Schultz or Davis Martin or Luis Castillo or David Sandlin [aren’t] going to be big parts of getting starter innings for us, but there’s going to be opportunities to add.”
Even with Castillo’s $22.75 million salary factored in, Cot’s Contracts estimates the Sox have less than $100 million committed to next year’s payroll. There would be significant room to add, even if they set a cap at $128 million, their reported Opening Day total . . . in 2011.
Getz said the team has “payroll flexibility.” Even if two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal is a bridge too far, there are bulk innings to be had in free agency. Right-hander Michael King was 10th in MLB in innings last season. Kaima Tara is the most intriguing arm in a Japanese market the Sox now scout devotedly. With the Diamondbacks, Michael Soroka looked like the starter the Sox envisioned two years ago. All of these pitchers and more are on the market and should be the Sox’ biggest area of investment this winter.
It might surprise some that Getz wants an outfielder, considering promising rookies Sam Antonacci and Braden Montgomery dominated the corner outfield reps in the second half last season. Slugging prospect Caleb Bonemer is also nearing the majors, and Brooks Baldwin and Tanner Murray are on the mend.
Still, two weeks before the Sox traded for fleet-footed Brenton Doyle, Tristan Peters played in the All-Star Game. Their drive to bolster their outfield defense can’t be underestimated.
Antonacci energized the lineup but was a below-average defender in left, a position he first began learning in spring. Montgomery is a potential long-term fixture, but the coaching staff wants significant offseason progress.
Most immediately, Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham are free agents. With Andrew Benintendi a designated hitter exclusively, a right-handed outfielder who can play scratch or better defense in a corner would tie together a mix of players that’s heavy on useful pieces but light on true everyday regulars.
Every MLB team needs to add relievers every offseason. If and when the Sox move Grant Taylor and Hagen Smith to starting roles, they’ll need to replace the high-leverage options they trusted most.
That aside, they simply need to replace the innings of lefty Sean Newcomb, now a free agent. Coming off Tommy John surgery, Mike Vasil can’t be expected to shoulder all of it.
Another lefty would be a good idea. Bryan Hudson had a 6.15 ERA in the second half. Chris Murphy has good stuff but inconsistent results kept him off the playoff roster.
