Getz, White Sox primed for active Winter Meetings

This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin’s White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CHICAGO -- The retooling of the White Sox has already begun in full force during the early stages of general manager Chris Getz’s tenure.

But as MLB's Winter Meetings begin Sunday in Nashville, Tenn., the next level of this retooling remains unknown. Will there be more Getz trades throughout the four days at the Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center, or will the White Sox even dabble in free agency? Getz believes both avenues are possible.

“And there’s going to be a pace to each avenue,” Getz said. “There could be a point where it just makes sense to act on a trade to fill some of our needs and set us up for the future, or we’re able to convert on a free agent. So, [we’re] still open-minded. We’re working in both spaces right now.”

Getz’s first trade sent veteran left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer to Atlanta for a five-player return, including starting pitchers Mike Soroka and Jared Shuster and infielder Nicky Lopez. As Getz pointed out, the White Sox are more than one reliever away from success, so adding this group assists in the present but also could help long term. It’s part of the balance Chicago needs to strike.

“It's important for the organization, and certainly for myself, to have a clear understanding of what we're trying to accomplish, both in the short term and long,” Getz said. “I've regularly been communicating that to our staff, on every situation, every scenario, every opportunity that comes your way. It's a lot easier to make a sound decision with knowing what pathway that falls into.”

Key events
? Sunday, Dec. 3: Hall of Fame Contemporary Era ballot results released (Cito Gaston, Davey Johnson, Jim Leyland, Ed Montague, Hank Peters, Lou Piniella, Joe West and Bill White)
? Tuesday, Dec. 5: Draft Lottery
? Wednesday, Dec. 6: Rule 5 Draft

Club needs
Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech are the lone starting pitcher returnees, but Cease is also drawing major interest on the trade market. The White Sox already needed pitching in the bullpen and rotation even with the Soroka and Shuster additions, and Cease’s exit would elevate that need.

Getz’s goal was to make this team better defensively and more well-rounded. He’s hit that target with additions such as Lopez and free agent shortstop Paul DeJong. We’ll see if he follows the same philosophy filling right field and supplementing Korey Lee behind the plate.

Potential trade candidates
We’ve discussed numerous times Getz’s “no untouchables” belief in terms of the roster, so it’s a safe assumption center fielder Luis Robert Jr. has been asked about by other teams. Why would anyone not pursue one of the game’s best all-around talents? But it’s also safe to assume an offer for Robert would physically have to knock Getz off his seat to be considered. Robert is the kind of player you build around.

Cease certainly is the prime candidate, but the White Sox could move designated hitter Eloy Jiménez, who is under team control through 2026. Anyone is available and anything is possible.

Prospect to know
Colson Montgomery is the team’s No. 1 prospect and No. 17 overall, according to MLB Pipeline, and will become the team’s shortstop at some point in 2024. Right-hander Nick Nastrini (No. 6) and southpaw Jake Eder (No. 5), who were both acquired in ’23 Trade Deadline deals, are the most advanced of their young crew in terms of starting pitching.

Keep an eye on Edgar Quero, the switch-hitting No. 3 White Sox prospect, who is the team’s catcher of the future. His timeline looks to be 2025, but he could force the issue later this season. Third baseman Bryan Ramos (No. 7) is another Minor Leaguer to watch.

Rule 5 Draft
The White Sox added Eder and right-handed hurler Cristian Mena to the 40-man roster to protect them from Rule 5 Draft selection, with Mena another Minor Leaguer who could reach the Majors in 2024. Pipeline wrote about outfielder Wilfred Veras as a possible Rule 5 Draft loss, while right-handed pitchers Matthew Thompson or Juan Carela would be outside shots. As of Dec. 1, the White Sox 40-man resides at 39.

Burning question
With the development of a team identity in mind, how does Getz approach that short-term/long-term view in his upcoming moves? The White Sox are not looking at a rebuild, not unless they were to trade Cease and Robert, so while moving Cease could help set up their future, Getz still has work to do to put together a team in the present. Contending in 2024 has been discussed, which might not be possible, but the White Sox aren’t giving away next season.