The Chicago White Sox climbed out of the 41–121 disaster of 2024, but 60–102 still left them buried in the AL Central and sitting on another year of frustration. A bullpen collapse defined their season — 50 blown leads, most in MLB — and no amount of energy under Will Venable could overcome that. The mandate this winter is simple: raise the floor of a roster that keeps tripping over it.

1. Add a veteran starter who stabilizes the rotation
Young arms are coming, but the current rotation can’t survive on projections alone. Anthony Kay signed ahead of the Meetings, but they still lack a proven innings-eater. With Drew Thorpe and Ky Bush yet to carry the load post-injury, Chicago needs a steady mid-rotation arm who takes the ball every five days and gets into the sixth inning. Someone who keeps the bullpen from living in crisis mode.

2. Rebuild a bullpen that keeps losing winnable games
When you lose 50 games after holding a lead, that’s not bad luck — that’s bad structure. Venable can’t spend another year asking rookies to close. One or two leverage relievers — ideally a late-inning righty and a lefty who can kill rallies — would instantly change outcomes. The White Sox don’t need a superstar closer. They need competence.

3. Add a corner bat with real presence
Too many hitters are still “maybe” bats. Chicago needs one everyday corner outfielder or first baseman who forces pitchers to respect the middle of the order. A 20–25 homer threat who gets on base more than he guesses. Someone who lets the kids hit without asking them to carry every rally.

The White Sox aren’t one splash away from contending. But a real starter, a functional back end, and a corner bat with bite would turn them into a team that competes honestly most nights instead of surviving them.

At the Winter Meetings, they don’t need flash.
They need grown-ups in the room.