It is that weird, quiet-but-loud part of the MLB offseason where every transaction feels like it could be the one that finally fixes things. Or, if you're a South Side fan, the one that makes you tilt your head and go, "Wait, who?"
The Chicago White Sox roster moves this winter haven't exactly followed the "tear it all down" script everyone expected. Instead, Chris Getz is playing a much more complicated game. He's juggling international phenoms, waiver claims that look like low-risk lottery tickets, and a massive Japanese superstar who nobody—and I mean nobody—actually thought would land at 35th and Shields.
Let’s be honest. Being a Sox fan right now is a test of patience.
The Murakami Shockwave
If you had Munetaka Murakami on your 2026 bingo card, you're lying. Or you're a time traveler. Signing the Japanese slugger to a two-year, $34 million deal in late December was the equivalent of a lightning strike in a clear sky. He’s 26. He’s got more power in his left thumb than half the league.
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Basically, the Sox just secured a cornerstone for the next two seasons while most of the league was busy looking at the Dodgers or the Mets. It wasn't just a "roster move." It was a statement that they aren't content with being the league's punching bag for another 162 games.
International Signing Day Fireworks
Just this week, the front office went aggressive on the international market. On January 15, 2026, they officially signed Fernando Graterol, the Venezuelan catching phenom, for $1.6 million.
He’s 17. He runs a 6.8 60-yard dash. That’s absurd for a catcher.
Most scouts consider him the top backstop in this class. Alongside him, the Sox snagged Sebastian Romero, an outfielder with a frame that suggests he’s going to hit 25 home runs once he stops growing. They also brought in Roderic Ramirez, a Dominican right-hander who already touches the upper 90s.
These aren't moves for April. These are moves for 2029. But they matter because they show a shift in how the organization is spending its pool money—prioritizing high-ceiling tools over "safe" floor players.
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The Waiver Wire Shuffle
It wouldn't be a White Sox offseason without some weirdness on the waiver wire. Losing Ben Cowles to the Cubs recently stung a bit for the prospect junkies. It’s the second time in a week the North Siders have poached a guy (Ryan Rolison was the other) after the Sox tried to sneak them through waivers.
You win some, you lose some.
On the flip side, claiming Drew Romo off waivers from the Mets was a savvy play. Romo was a high-pedigree prospect not long ago. With Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel already in the system, the Sox are suddenly deep at catcher. Like, "we might actually have a trade chip" deep.
Understanding the Current 40-Man
If you look at the current active roster, it’s a mix of "wait and see" and "please stay healthy."
- The Rotation: It’s leaning heavily on youth. We’re talking Jonathan Cannon, Sean Burke, and Davis Martin. Anthony Kay was brought in on a two-year, $12 million deal to provide some veteran stability, which is kind of funny because he was pitching in Japan last year.
- The Bullpen: This is where things get shaky. Jordan Leasure is likely the closer-in-waiting, but adding Sean Newcomb and Anthony Patterson III on minor league deals shows they’re just throwing spaghetti at the wall to see what sticks.
- The Outfield: Luis Robert Jr. is still here. For now. Every time a trade rumor pops up, it feels like the whole city holds its breath. But with Jarred Kelenic and Everson Pereira joining the mix on minor league deals, there’s at least some competition for those corner spots.
What Really Happened with the Non-Tenders
People were confused when the team didn't offer contracts to guys like Mike Tauchman or Tim Elko. Honestly, it came down to the medicals and the math. Elko is recovering from a torn ACL and won't be back until mid-summer.
Tauchman had a meniscus tear. In a year where you’re trying to evaluate young talent like Colson Montgomery or Bryan Ramos, you can't afford to let roster spots get clogged by guys who can't take the field until July.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're tracking these moves, keep your eye on these three things over the next few weeks:
- The Robert Jr. Watch: If he isn't traded by the time pitchers and catchers report, he’s likely staying until the July deadline. His trade value is a moving target, and Getz won't move him for a "fair" deal—he wants a haul.
- Spring Training Battles: Watch the infield. With Murakami locked in at third and Colson Montgomery knocking on the door at short, players like Lenyn Sosa and Miguel Vargas are fighting for their lives.
- The Pursuit of Pitching: Rumors are still swirling about Zack Littell. The Sox need an innings eater. If they don't sign a veteran starter soon, the young arms in the rotation are going to be gassed by June.
The strategy is clear, even if it’s frustrating. They are building a bridge. On one side, you have the high-priced veterans like Murakami and Benintendi. On the other, you have the 17-year-old kids from Venezuela. The goal of the 2026 Chicago White Sox roster moves is to make sure that bridge doesn't collapse before the young talent is ready to cross it.
Keep an eye on the waiver wire. The Sox are currently at 40 men, but with Spring Training invites starting to go out, expect one or two more "prove it" veteran signings to round out the bench.