With the offseason soon to kick off, Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz and manager Will Venable face a roster puzzle that has a unique mix of young players and expiring veteran contracts. The core of the South Siders project hinges on the pitching arms like Sean Burke , Hagen Smith , Noah Schultz , and offensive cornerstones Munetaka Murakami , Colson Montgomery , and Miguel Vargas . But these stars need veteran experience to help reach a high next season following an incredible postseason run in 2026. The question now is which of the veterans do the White Sox keep and which do they need to move on with?
The Sox have five pending unrestricted free agents set to hit the open market once the World Series is over. They include veteran starters Erick Fedde , reliever Trevor Richards , left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb , outfielders Randal Grichuk , catcher Jake Rogers , and Tommy Pham .
Chicago must select from this list which veteran to anchor their roster next season. But it's obvious that letting all walk would be a tactical error, as some produced some magical stuff in 2026 and helped the team to the playoffs. Newcomb and Grichuk are the two players who have to be given a one- or two-year contract as they remain a strategic link with the White Sox core. Below is a breakdown of why these two free agents need to be given contracts before the MLB lockout.
The White Sox lineup in 2026 took strides with Murakami, Montgomery, and Vargas operating as primary run producers. But Montgomery and Murakami were vulnerable against left-handed pitchers on the plate, which was one of the team's biggest challenges. Both players are expected to be part of the lineup next season. And here's where Randal Grichuk comes in, as he's one of the most effective right-handed batters in the American League Central. He posted a batting average of .287 in 117 games in the regular season, far better than Murakami's (.207) and Montgomery's (.238). He also hit 15 home runs and 46 RBIs.
Grichuk could be utilized optimally if given the role of designated hitter against tough lefty pitchers to safeguard the rest of the left-handed hitters from an extended slump. Beyond that, Grichuk offers defensive reliability in both corners of the outfield. And since he rarely gets injured, he could inevitably cover for young players dealing with injuries or workload in the 162-game league. The 35-year-old is cheap for the White Sox to still demand his production on the field. When his $1.25 million contract expires this offseason, the White Sox could renew it with another $1 million for one year.
Sep 27, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago White Sox designated hitter Randal Grichuk (34) points after he hits a two-run home run during the third inning against the Colorado Rockies at Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images
Newcomb is not the kind of pitcher the White Sox would like to allow to walk away because he can bridge multiple innings and strike out left-handed hitters in high-stress situations. He's the modern bullpen versatility any franchise with no spending power would like to have. He was a key piece of the Sox pitching staff in 2026, posting an incredible 3.10 ERA across 60 appearances, with 84 strikeouts over 90 1/3 innings. He pitched in six innings for the White Sox in their ALDS series against the Cleveland Guardians and allowed no runs, struck out seven hitters, and allowed zero walks.
Oct 10, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Chicago White Sox pitcher Sean Newcomb (15) pitches during the sixth inning against the Cleveland Guardians in game five of the ALDS for the 2026 MLB Playoffs at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-Imagn Images
Newcomb was once a starter and, at 33, has a lot of experience to teach young starting pitchers like Smith, Burke, and Schultz. Newcomb has wielded the art of pitching two-three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, suppressing further burnout and shielding high-leverage late-inning arms, particularly during the final stretch of the regular season. Also, given the fact that players will be injured at some point in the season, the White Sox can rely on Newcomb. But Newcomb isn't as cheap as Grichuk. His $4.5 million one-year contract ends this winter, and he's expected to still demand the same payday, which the White Sox could still give him.
Expectations on the White Sox have changed after the 2026 season, which could see the front office take a different trade route than it has been doing for the past two years this winter. But it has to be said that any decision the front office makes is a big gamble because baseball is simply unpredictable.
Retaining Newcomb and Grichuk might be one of the brightest ideas as it gives a reliable safety net around the young team, but it also comes with a risk. Will things work out for the two veterans in 2027 the way they did in 2026? Will they continue to produce consistently good performance next season considering their age? The White Sox front office has a lot to decide in the coming days.
Main Photo Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images
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