Already trending up, White Sox want 'meaningful step forward'

CHICAGO -- The first Cactus League pitch has yet to be thrown, and general manager Chris Getz already might have come up with a theme for his 2026 White Sox.

“I think we are going to make a meaningful step forward,” Getz told the media during a preview event for SoxFest Live on Thursday evening at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Chicago Bartlett J. McCartin Club.

A meaningful step forward might stand as GM-speak for, “We expect better.” It’s not a demand or an unreasonable expectation from Getz. It’s also steeped in hope and not a caustic commentary.

Chicago’s 28-37 record after the 2025 All-Star break was sparked by the youthful core at the heart of this rebuild, players such as shortstop Colson Montgomery, catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero, infielder Chase Meidroth, third baseman Miguel Vargas, and right-handers Shane Smith and Grant Taylor.

All but Quero are in Chicago this weekend for SoxFest Live. Teel, Meidroth, Vargas and Davis Martin joined Getz and manager Will Venable at the Boys & Girls Club near Rate Field on Thursday. At 29, Davis Martin isn’t exactly ready for AARP, but with the Luis Robert Jr. trade, he’s now the most seasoned player by White Sox service time on the roster.

Getz and company’s work since October has the White Sox frequently listed as offseason winners, getting that nod recently from MLB.com executive reporter Mark Feinsand.

The roster additions this winter include powerful first baseman Munetaka Murakami from Japan, right-hander Seranthony Domínguez to the back of the bullpen, left-handers Sean Newcomb and Anthony Kay and infielder/outfielder Luisangel Acuña.

On paper, it’s a better team than the one that finished the 2025 campaign in Washington. The infrastructure looks as strong as it has been in years for this organization. White Sox fans appreciate the growth and development, but they want more victories following a third straight season with 100-plus losses.

They want that meaningful step forward. This group’s cohesiveness should help.

“Last year, I came in and it was my impression in Spring Training how connected they were when I was talking to them in the offseason,” Venable said. “They just seemed like they were communicating well, that whatever they had been through before I got here had brought them together. I witnessed that on a daily basis throughout the season.

“Throughout this offseason, it’s just continued to grow. We had guys working out together in the offseason, some of them were living with each other. Just getting the group together and seeing that growth again and leaning into that is something I’m looking forward to.”

Sean Burke and Montgomery live together in Nashville, Tenn., and work out in a group with White Sox Minor Leaguer Caleb Bonemer. Catcher Korey Lee, right-hander Jonathan Cannon and first baseman Tim Elko, a non-roster invitee to Spring Training, live together in Nashville and also work out together.

Martin had fellow starters Burke, Smith, Cannon and Drew Thorpe to his family’s ranch in Texas. It’s a group noticeably strong together since last year’s SoxFest Live, but it’s not quite a complete group, according to Getz.

The Mets picked up all $22 million owed to Robert in the recent trade, leaving the White Sox payroll flexibility to improve. Getz promised the team would be active immediately after the deal, and he said Thursday they have been active in regard to talking to agents of available free agents.

“We’ve had a lot of fruitful conversations with other clubs, as well,” Getz said. “I believe that there are going to be more adds. To what level, unsure.

“What we can provide is opportunity and a runway and some of these players we’ve acquired just haven’t gotten that runway in other places for various reasons. We are going to take advantage of that.”

Regardless of the future adds, quite possibly going into Spring Training, the biggest jump forward for the White Sox will be continued improvement for their young talent.

“We feel pretty good about the team,” Getz said. “You review the offseason, finishing off the season like we did last year, really building a lot of momentum. We felt like we’ve been able to take that momentum into the offseason and what’s attached to that.”

Said Venable: “We're all learning and growing and getting better. Certainly feel like I'm one year better than I was last year and have a season long of experiences to help guide me and help me in my job on a daily basis. I'm excited about what can come of that and know that we've got a lot of work to do at the same time."