The Chicago White Sox had a turnaround for the ages.
So what’s the next step for a franchise that went from three consecutive 100-plus-loss seasons between 2023-25 to the postseason in 2026?
General manager Chris Getz wants to “continue to focus on fueling the foundation” of the organization.
“This year’s success is a byproduct of our focus the last couple of years,” Getz said during a videoconference call Wednesday. “I look at the hires we’ve made both internally, the coaching staff, that have led to the development of our young players and some of the acquisitions along the way that have really thrived in our clubhouse.
“So we certainly want to continue to find ways to fuel this organization and the foundation in which has allowed us to get to where we are today.”
The offseason planning is underway as the Sox — filled with young talent — look to build on their first playoff appearance since 2021 and their first postseason series victory since 2005.
Every major-league team wants to add pitching. And it’s a priority for the Sox following a postseason in which Sean Burke made two starts in his three appearances — one each in the American League wild-card series against the Houston Astros and the AL Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians — but otherwise the team utilized its pitchers in a variety of ways.
“There’s going to be opportunities to add, whether it be on the free-agent front or we’ll certainly look at the trade market as well,” Getz said. “But that is a primary focus of ours, continuing to add pitching.
“That is not unique to other teams. In our case, it perhaps is a little bit more pressing. So I look forward to taking on that challenge of acquiring more pitching talent. Time will tell what that will look like, but yeah, that certainly will be a focus for us.”
Decisions are still to come on usage for Grant Taylor and Hagen Smith, who were both effective as relievers in 2026.
“They did a tremendous job out of the bullpen,” Getz said. “What does the future hold? I think that they’re both going to be starting pitchers at some point in their careers. The timing in which that happens, we’re still working on that. We don’t want to lose sight of certainly a strength. We also want to consider ways to improve the club.
“Oftentimes putting pitchers at the right time to become starters can be really beneficial for an organization. We’ll continue to have those conversations.”
Taking a look at the pitching market, Getz said, “There’s talent in the free-agent group. There’s different places to go shopping, obviously, free agency is one of them, you’ve got your internal players and, of course, there’s trade acquisitions. And just like years past, we’ll continue to look at all those different avenues.”
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Outfield depth is another area the team is targeting. Could it become a case in which the organization’s supply of infielders — like this season when Sam Antonacci shifted to the outfield — comes into play down the line?
Highly touted prospect Caleb Bonemer, who hit 37 home runs between High A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham this year, spent most of 2026 at third base and shortstop but got a taste of center field late during the regular season with the Barons. He has played all three outfield spots during the Arizona Fall League.
The biggest addition last offseason came in signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal. The topic of a contract extension came up during the season for the first baseman who led the team with 35 home runs.
“We’ll continue to have those conversations,” Getz said. “Obviously that stuff is very sensitive and private, but Mune means a lot to us. And we certainly want him to come back here and be here for a long time.”
When it comes to any offseason move, the Sox are aiming to maintain the chemistry that was so vital to the success in 2026.
“You want to be very mindful of who you’re bringing in and certainly you want to be mindful of who’s going out,” Getz said. “There are some free agents that may not be with us next year. Do we look at bringing some of those players back or do we go out and try to find something similar? Open to both of those things.
“Maintaining what we have is an important factor, just like it was at the trade deadline.”
And looming over the offseason in general is the possibility of a lockout.
“(Chairman) Jerry (Reinsdorf) and I haven’t had the conversation about payroll or budget quite yet, that’ll happen here shortly,” Getz said. “When it comes to the CBA (collective bargaining agreement), my approach on it is, it’s very much out of my control, let’s put our players in the best positions possible to go out there and have a great offseason and prepare for next year. We’re well positioned to handle whatever the outcome is. We’ve got payroll flexibility, it’s a young, growing team.
“There’s going to be opportunities to add. The timing of that, who knows. We’re at the mercy of a lot of different things. And once again, so much of it is out of my control. But we’ll continue to have these conversations the next couple weeks.”