New pickup Pereira may get chance to shine in White Sox land of opportunity

CHICAGO -- The White Sox remain the land of opportunity.

Adding a player such as outfielder Everson Pereira, therefore -- which the team did as part of a four-player deal with the Rays Tuesday night -- becomes a smart way to populate their baseball land.

Pereira, 24, has not hit over stints with the Yankees and the Rays, slashing .146/.227/.215 with two home runs and 18 RBIs in 50 games. Those stints also covered a mere 176 plate appearances, with the White Sox potentially giving more runway to the right-handed hitter who once was a highly touted prospect in New York.

"Another premium position player with big power,” said White Sox general manager Chris Getz during a Wednesday Zoom session regarding Pereira, who was dealt by the Yankees to the Rays for Jose Caballero at last season’s Trade Deadline. “Just getting his Major League career started as he’s just getting acclimated to the big leagues. Being able to add depth to our outfield, being able to play all three is certainly valuable to any team.”

Pereira posted a .273/.354/.504 stat line with 87 home runs, 73 doubles, 16 triples and 290 RBIs across 409 Minor League games over seven seasons. He presently is hitting .286/.392/.476 for Cardenales de Lara in Venezuela, with two homers and nine RBIs in 17 games.

His path could follow that of Miguel Vargas from the Dodgers to Chicago, as well as what the South Siders hope for Curtis Mead from the Rays regarding very talented, highly ranked prospects who had their on-field opportunity blocked until being traded to the White Sox.

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"Yeah, very similar to the pathways for those players,” Getz said. “At his floor, we have a strong defender who can play center field and the wings and has power potential just like the two named. He has a big engine, he has potential. He’s got a chance to really bloom into a solid everyday player.

"When it comes to outfield and outfield depth, Pereira I think is going to be bringing some to the table. Certainly at the very least, you are looking at someone who can hammer lefties and play a solid defense. We look forward to seeing him in Spring Training.”

That description could make Pereira a platoon partner for the left-handed-hitting Mike Tauchman, who was valuable on the field and in the clubhouse for the 2025 White Sox, assuming Tauchman returns. Pereira could play left field with Andrew Benintendi in more of a designated hitter-based role, or could spell Luis Robert Jr. in center field.

If the White Sox trade Robert after picking up his $20 million club option for '26, Pereira is a candidate to take time at this vacated position. Getz stood strongly behind Robert, although he acknowledged that options remain open.

"Obviously he’s performed at the Major League level at a high level and then there’s been times where he’s had some injuries or some scuffling,” said Getz of Robert. “But to be able to have a player like that in your organization, and on the other end of the spectrum, that’s why he’s attractive -- because they feel like they can use that boost, as well. It’s not an easy conversation, because we’re talking about someone that can really change the game in a lot of different ways.

“It’s very truthful that we are not shopping him, because we’re very comfortable having him in a White Sox uniform, knowing what he’s capable of doing. Now if it makes sense for both parties to work out a deal, then so be it. But we’re planning on him being in uniform for us next year.”

Infielder/outfielder Tanner Murray also came over in the trade, which sent right-handers Yoendrys Gómez and Steven Wilson to the Rays, providing defensive versatility and some power. The White Sox picked up Chris Murphy in a deal with Boston, a southpaw whose specific pitching role has not yet been decided due to his ability to start and relieve. Getz added Murphy has weapons to neutralize right-handed hitters as well.

Right-handers Tanner McDougal, the No. 7 White Sox prospect per MLB Pipeline, and Duncan Davitt had their contracts selected and added to the 40-man, which sits at 37. Getz raved about McDougal “as a top arm in the industry on the Minor League side” from '25, and he’ll get big league opportunities in '26.

Young players such as Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teel and Shane Smith are coming off rookie seasons of success, and other Minor League prospects are on the rise. The opportunities are there, but these new players have to take advantage as the White Sox improve and plans and direction solidify for the team for the future.