The Chicago White Sox are expected to open the 2026 season with a payroll under $100 million for the second straight year.

According to salary tracking site Spotrac, Chicago is projected to allocate about $69.3 million to its 2026 roster, including $5.2 million in arbitration salaries. This past season, the White Sox had an adjusted total payroll of $78.8 million, a sharp drop from the $141.7 million spent on the historic 121-loss 2024 squad. However, that was in large part due to the $24.8 million owed to Yoan Moncada in the final year of his contract.

The White Sox currently has $47.1 million in guaranteed commitments, leaving General Manager Chris Getz with an estimated $20 million to $30 million in financial flexibility this offseason.

That figure could grow if outfielder Luis Robert Jr. or Andrew Benintendi is traded. However, a Robert deal appears unlikely. The All-Star center fielder remained with the club through the trade deadline and finished the season on the injured list. Getz has continued to speak highly of Robert, who is coming off one of his most challenging years in the majors, posting a .661 OPS over 110 games, a downturn that would likely limit his trade value. Because of this, they are likely to pick up his option and potentially try to flip him at the trade deadline.

Getz faces a similar challenge with Benintendi, who has two years remaining on the five-year, $75 million deal that made him the highest-paid player in franchise history. He is owed $17.1 million next season and $15.1 million in 2027. Despite hitting 20 homers for the second year in a row, finding a trade partner willing to eat that salary will be difficult, considering that his defense has deteriorated in recent years.

Arbitration Eligible Players

The first domino for the White Sox this offseason will be their arbitration-eligible players: outfielder Mike Tauchman, reliever Steven Wilson, and outfielder Derek Hill. Wilson and Hill appear to be non-tender candidates, leaving Tauchman as the biggest question mark.

Tauchman is projected to earn $3.4 million in arbitration after a solid 2025 season in which he hit .263/.356/.400 with eight homers and 39 RBIs over 93 games. His 115 wRC+ ranked as the second-best mark of his career, 15% above league average. However, injuries limited his playing time. He suffered a right hamstring strain on March 27 and reinjured it in late April while attempting to score in a loss at Cleveland, sidelining him until late May. He also finished the season on the IL and will undergo surgery to repair a torn right meniscus.

Option Decision

Starter Martín Pérez holds a $10 million mutual option for 2026 with a $1.5 million buyout. Like Tauchman, he battled injuries last season, but he remains a valuable veteran presence with playoff experience on a young White Sox pitching staff. Pérez posted a 3.56 ERA over 56 innings, making him an intriguing candidate to return if the price is right. Given his injury history, he could come at a relatively affordable rate.

Left-hander Tyler Alexander and outfielder Michael A. Taylor (who retired) are among the team’s free agents. It seems unlikely that Alexander returns.

Offseason Holes To Address

The White Sox’s biggest needs this offseason are at first base and in the bullpen.

Chicago ranked 14th in the American League in scoring (3.99 runs per game), 11th in starting pitching ERA (4.39), and 10th in bullpen ERA (4.16). The defense also graded among the league’s worst.

After trading Andrew Vaughn to the Brewers for Aaron Civale, first base quickly became a black hole in the lineup. Tim Elko hasn’t shown signs of being a long-term answer, Miguel Vargas appears better suited for third base, and Lenyn Sosa, despite a breakout season at the plate, struggled defensively at the position.

The White Sox appear set behind the plate with Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. In the middle infield, Chase Meidroth and Colson Montgomery look poised to lock down the starting roles, while Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa remain viable options at third base.

With Corey Julks and Dominic Fletcher no longer on the roster, there’s room to add another outfielder. Assuming the club exercises Luis Robert Jr.’s option, he’ll anchor center field, with Mike Tauchman and Andrew Benintendi still in the mix for the corner spots.