How White Sox emerged as MLB free agency winner

Here is a sentence I did not anticipate writing when the offseason began: I really like what the White Sox are doing.

I know that because I like their additions this offseason, though the odds are against them working (certainly all of them working). I know this because even though I would have them in contention for the best offseason of any team, I don’t think this offseason pushes them near contention for a playoff spot in the way, say, the Orioles have bulked up with righty power (Pete Alonso, Taylor Ward) and rotation depth (Shane Baz, Zach Eflin).

But if you have lost the third-most games in major league history over the past three years — as the 324 for the White Sox represent — then you have a lot of talent acquisition to do. Thus, using what little money you have been allocated to play it safe makes no sense.

So I like the upside free-agent play, especially with Munetaka Murakami, but also with Anthony Kay and Sean Newcomb. Heck, I even like the minor league signing of Jarred Kelenic. And for pure good fortune, in December, the White Sox won the lottery for the first pick in the July 2026 draft, which currently is expected to be UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky.