White Sox Very Active in Free Agency After Robert Trade

This article unpacks how the Chicago White Sox overhauled their finances and reshaped the roster after trading Luis Robert Jr. The move set the stage for a bold, maybe even unpredictable, offseason.

With payroll flexibility back on the table and a bunch of roster spots still up in the air, the front office faces some big decisions. What happens next could define the team’s competitive window for years.

Payroll Reset Opens the Door for an Active Offseason

The White Sox pulled off one of their biggest moves of the winter by sending Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets. It’s hard to overstate the impact—losing a franchise player hurts, but the trade also slashed about $20 million from the projected 2026 payroll, dropping it from $87 million to $67 million.

General manager Chris Getz doesn’t see this as just a cost-cutting measure. He’s pretty adamant that the flexibility is there to make moves, not just save money. Getz says the White Sox plan to be “very active” this offseason, aiming to upgrade several parts of the roster instead of just chasing one big name.

Outfield Picture: Questions Remain After Robert’s Exit

Robert’s exit leaves a massive hole in the outfield, especially in center. The internal candidates exist, but honestly, none inspire the same confidence Robert did.

Left Field Stability, Center and Right Wide Open

Andrew Benintendi is basically glued to left field, even though his performance hasn’t matched his five-year, $75 million contract. Trading him doesn’t seem realistic, so the real drama is elsewhere.

Center and right field feel like open auditions. Luisangel Acuña, who came over in the Robert deal, can play center, but his future might be in the infield. That depends on how Chase Meidroth and Colson Montgomery develop and stay healthy.

Infield Core Is Taking Shape

The infield, unlike the outfield, looks a lot more stable for 2026. The White Sox have a young, affordable core to build around.

Montgomery Headlines a Youth Movement

Colson Montgomery seems set to take over shortstop after a rookie year with 21 home runs. Meidroth adds steady defense and gets on base, while Miguel Vargas is a reliable, if not flashy, option at third.

First base is in the hands of Munetaka Murakami, signed from Nippon Professional Baseball on a short-term deal. It’s a classic upside play with little long-term risk.

Catching Depth Is a Quiet Strength

Behind the plate, the White Sox actually look pretty solid. Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero are the main catching options, giving the team some flexibility and competition without having to spend big in free agency.

Pitching Staff: Youth, Inexperience, and Opportunity

The pitching staff, though, is a real question mark. There’s not much veteran presence to lean on.

Rotation Lacks Proven Arms

Even after adding Anthony Kay and Sean Newcomb, the likely Opening Day rotation—Kay, Shane Smith, Sean Burke, Davis Martin, and either Newcomb or Jonathan Cannon—relies on a lot of untested or bounce-back candidates.

Bulpen Is Even Thinner on Experience

The bullpen is even greener. No reliever on the roster has more than three years of MLB service, and lefty Tyler Gilbert is the only one with at least two years under his belt.

Free Agency, Trades, and a Pragmatic Plan

Chicago has already been linked to a wide range of targets, including:

Getz says he wants a balanced approach. He’s thinking about starting pitching, bullpen depth, and lineup handedness, but he’s also watching the budget and draft-pick costs.

 
Here is the source article for this story: White Sox Will Be “Very Active” Following Robert Trade