ORLANDO, Fla. -- The White Sox did not make a trade or sign a free agent during the 2025 Winter Meetings at the Signia by Hilton just outside of the Disney World theme parks.
Yet, they had what could become one of their most transformative 72 hours within this extended rebuild. That fulcrum of change came Tuesday evening when the White Sox won the Draft Lottery, making them the first team with the best odds to pick No. 1 overall in the Lottery era.
It’s a spot pointing them toward Roch Cholowsky, a 20-year-old shortstop from UCLA, considered not only the top player in this Draft but one of the top prospects in recent Drafts.
“You’re given a pool of money, and you have to be smart about how you allocate and build that out,” said White Sox director of amateur scouting Mike Shirley, after putting high praise upon Cholowsky. “There may be an obvious choice, but there are also ways to be creative, to secure multiple resources instead of one.
“So, I think preparation [wise] … our staff will work extremely hard to get this right. We’ll execute the best way we can.”
BIGGEST REMAINING NEEDS
1. Late-inning leverage
There were conversations with Pete Fairbanks’ camp, as the White Sox showed early interest in the free agent closer who posted 75 saves over a strong three-year-run with the Rays. Those talks might not lead to anything, and the White Sox might not bring in a true closer. But they are looking to build out their bullpen.
2. Left is right
General manager Chris Getz has talked about needing a left-handed bat, either in the corner outfield spots or in the corner infield positions. That addition would help balance the lineup and improve struggling positions from the 2025 season. The future of center fielder Luis Robert Jr., whose move has been discussed since the ’24 Trade Deadline, also could be listed in this group.
“I still go back to we are talking about Luis Robert, a really talented player,” Getz said. “Teams are always checking on top talent.
“With that being said, we talk it through. But most importantly we are planning on him being in a Chicago White Sox uniform.”
3. Rotation help
Anthony Kay’s two-year, $12 million free agent deal was officially announced Tuesday morning. There’s still a greater need for veteran pitching to mix with the young arms, even with those young arms certain to get a workload boost in ’26.
HE SAID IT
Manager Will Venable clearly is the perfect co-pilot for Getz, following the general manager’s big-picture process to sustained success.
“We're going about this the right way, that we're communicating the right way, we're sharing ideas the right way,” Venable said. “We're sharing feedback the right way and really making real progress. So yeah, I'm really happy with the relationship, where it's at and where it's grown."
DRAFT LOTTERY
Yes, the White Sox are picking No. 1 in the 2026 Draft. But they arrived there with Harold Baines, the Hall of Famer, franchise icon and last No. 1 White Sox overall pick in 1977, in attendance as the team’s representative.
“Hopefully they get the right person, the right player when they get the chance to draft,” Baines said. “I’ve been part of this organization for a long time, and I think [chairman] Jerry [Reinsdorf] is well deserving of this opportunity to have the No. 1 pick again.”
A Draft Lottery celebration took place Tuesday night during the annual Winter Meetings team dinner. Even their restraint presented the White Sox with something special during the meal in honor of the top pick.
RULE 5 DRAFT
Wednesday’s Rule 5 Draft featured right-handers Jedixson Paez (No. 2 pick) and 6-foot-8 Alexander Alberto (No. 13 pick) selected by the White Sox. Neither Paez, from Boston, or Alberto, from the Rays, have pitched above High-A. It will make for an interesting challenge keeping them on the 26-man active roster.
“You look at how their bodies move,” Getz said. “See if there’s some tweaks to their arsenal or any sort of adjustment, and we feel like with the pedigree, these guys have the makings of being effective Major League pitchers in the short term. I’ve got a tremendous amount of confidence in our pitching group.”
Mound success for right-handers Shane Smith and Mike Vasil set a high bar for the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft. Smith, selected No. 1 overall in the ’24 Rule 5, was the team’s lone All-Star representative.
“Candidly, it’s a lot easier after making the selections last year and watching how that played out,” Getz said. “Our group had conviction on these two, so it’s a comprehensive process.”
Right-hander Peyton Pallette was taken by the Guardians from the White Sox in the Rule 5 Draft at pick No. 9.
MORE FROM THIS WEEK
• Getz wants to win but will not alter his overall process built over the last three years by trying to chase wins. Read more >>
• Kay is excited to return from Japan and join the White Sox rotation. Read more >>
• Building on the team’s emerging core is a theme for Getz and the White Sox. Read more >>
GM’S BOTTOM LINE
Each of the last three seasons have produced 100-plus losses for the White Sox. Yet, there’s a level of excitement around the team and rebuild not seen in recent years.
“There’s a lot of players on this team and [others] close to the big leagues that are going to be part of the team that is going to contend for the division,” Getz said. “We don’t want to get ahead of ourselves.
“We’re going to continue to make good decisions and help our players get even better. I mean, to take the large step forward a lot of it is going to be the continued development of these young players.”