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3 White Sox Players Who Could Sign Extensions This Offseason
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- 3 White Sox Players Who Could Sign Extensions This Offseason
During his end-of-year press conference, Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz acknowledged that the club would pursue a contract extension with first baseman Munetaka Murakami this winter.
It's been a topic of conversation for many months now. Even from the moment Murakami first signed his two-year, $34 million contract with Chicago, questions were immediately raised about whether the South Siders would be able to keep him around long term.
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Murakami may not be the only one, though.
After emerging with a surprising 84-win season, a trip to the postseason, and their first playoff series win since 2005, the White Sox are in the perfect position to build upon their current foundation through free agency and the trade market while also taking measures to ensure the team's sustained success.
That could mean contract extensions for a few different White Sox stars.
Munetaka Murakami
I've already talked about Murakami at length, so I won't spend too much time here. The main question the White Sox will have to answer is whether or not they believe Murakami's first-half success is sustainable long term, and what the right price would be to keep him around.
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It doesn't feel like Murakami can be paid like one of the top first basemen in the sport just yet. But at a certain point, it becomes more worthwhile for the Japanese superstar to bet on himself in 2027 and try to earn a megadeal comparable to those of Kyle Schwarber or Pete Alonso.
Can the White Sox find a happy medium?
Miguel Vargas
Miguel Vargas became a star in 2026. His breakout season saw him post a .837 OPS with 33 home runs, 22 stolen bases, 93 RBIs, and a team-leading 5.3 fWAR.
He was, and still is, one of the best third basemen in the sport. With three years of team control remaining before he hits free agency following the 2029 season, now may be the perfect time for the White Sox to lock up one of their franchise cornerstones long term.
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In a White Sox lineup that had a lot of volatility, strikeouts, and inconsistencies, it was never feast or famine with Vargas. He was consistent all season long and was clearly the most feared hitter in Chicago's lineup by opposing teams during the playoffs.
Another All-Star campaign, and even more improvement from Vargas, would only drive up his asking price. So if the White Sox believe in their third baseman, it may be time to strike now.
Grant Taylor
The White Sox already know they have one of the best relief pitchers in all of baseball with right-hander Grant Taylor . He's a closer, a multi-inning relief arm, an opener. He's whatever the White Sox want him to be, and he does it at an elite level.
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The question with Taylor always has been, and will continue to be, whether he'll ever make the transition to the starting rotation . It's something he's expressed interest in doing in the past, but the White Sox have clearly had their concerns from a health and value perspective.
It goes without saying that Taylor being a lights-out starting pitcher is more valuable than him being a lights-out closer. But if injury issues prevent him from stretching out over a full season, perhaps the best place for him is right at home in the bullpen.
Either way, it could make sense for the White Sox to extend Taylor now and give him financial security before making any definitive moves. If the White Sox pay Taylor like an elite closer, they should have confidence that he'll measure up to that contract. And if he ever makes the transition to being a starter and does it well, that deal will be a bargain in the long run.
