CHICAGO -- Chris Getz will arrive in Dallas ready to make moves during the 2024 Winter Meetings, which begin on Monday at the Hilton Anatole.
But the White Sox general manager won’t force trades involving his key players just to get things done. If this storyline sounds familiar, well, it’s basically because a nearly identical plot played out for the White Sox last year in Nashville, Tenn.
Change “right-hander Dylan Cease” to “left-hander Garrett Crochet” as the most talked-about White Sox trade target, advance the rebuild one year, and this is where the organization stands. The club continues to focus on increasing its depth of talent and will do so via the trade route.
Here’s a look at what to expect during the upcoming Meetings.
Key events
Sunday: HOF Classic Baseball Era Committee results released
Dick Allen, who won the 1972 American League Most Valuable Player Award as a member of the White Sox, is on the ballot. Tommy John, who pitched seven seasons for the White Sox, also is under consideration.
Tuesday: MLB Draft Lottery
Wednesday: Rule 5 Draft
Club needsThe final numbers of 2024 showed the White Sox at the very bottom of numerous offensive categories. They have since added Ryan Fuller as their new director of hitting and brought back hitting coach Marcus Thames, but adding talented players will be the key to the equation. Shortstop Colson Montgomery, ranked by MLB Pipeline as the No. 3 White Sox prospect and No. 37 overall, and catcher Edgar Quero (No. 4/No. 59) are targeted for Major League debuts during the 2025 season, which should help the overall attack. But any potential trades involving Crochet or center fielder Luis Robert Jr. will center on position-player returns. Even with Montgomery in place, the White Sox could push for a shortstop in those trades.
Potential trade candidates
Much like Cease -- and even Chris Sale before him at the 2016 Winter Meetings -- it’s a tough call for the White Sox to trade their staff ace in Crochet. Not only does Crochet have the talent to sit atop the rotation for years to come, he possesses the competitive fire and demeanor to be a leader for a young, up-and-coming talent pool. But the White Sox only have contractual control with Crochet for two more seasons before he reaches free agency, two seasons in which they won’t be prime contenders.
Robert is a five-tool talent, with Gold Glove capabilities in center field, but he is coming off a subpar season that was put on pause for two months because of a strained right hip flexor. The White Sox won’t settle in regard to a trade for a player who could easily bounce back to top form in ’25. Veteran Andrew Benintendi is another player the White Sox could move, although he has three years and $47.5 million remaining on his deal.
Prospect to know
Montgomery struggled during his first full Minor League season, which was also his first season with Triple-A Charlotte. But he adjusted his mindset over the final month and carried that successful approach into a brief but impressive stint in the Arizona Fall League, where he played all but one game at third base.
At 22, Montgomery has the feel of a player the White Sox can build around. He’ll almost certainly get his first Major League chance in ’25.
Rule 5 Draft
It’s a near certainty that the White Sox will take a player, as they hold the first pick overall. MLB Pipeline chose right-hander Anthony Hoopii-Tuionetoa as an interesting candidate that the South Siders could lose.
Burning question
How much of the remaining core will stay with the team?
With free agency not a major focus and the ’25 payroll dropping, the White Sox wwill use some of their current core to make impact additions via trades. Crochet, the 2024 American League Comeback Player of the Year, will generate the biggest return and thus the biggest effect on the White Sox future hopes. Andrew Vaughn also could be on the market, with interest from other clubs dating back to last year’s Trade Deadline, but the White Sox believe in his ability and might keep him to allow him a chance to develop his already decent numbers. Getz will be in intent listening mode.