🚨 CHICAGO WHITE SOX MAKING A SURPRISINGLY AGGRESSIVE OFFSEASON PUSH: WHO COULD BE NEXT? As 2026 approaches, the Chicago White Sox are making a statement. The team has been more active this offseason than many expected, making several key moves to reshape their roster. While they have yet to fully solve all their issues, the White Sox are positioning themselves for a potential bounce-back year, as evidenced by their bold acquisitions of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami, left-handers Anthony Kay and Sean Newcomb, and intriguing outfield prospects Jarred Kelenic and Everson Pereira.

Despite these promising additions, it’s clear the White Sox are not done yet. The roster still has areas that need to be addressed, particularly in the outfield and the pitching staff. Fortunately, with plenty of talent still available on the free-agent market, there’s an opportunity to further strengthen the team. Here’s a closer look at three players who could be key additions to help the White Sox turn the corner in 2026.

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Austin Hays – Outfield Depth with Upside

One of the most significant question marks on the White Sox roster remains in the outfield, specifically in right field. While Kelenic and Pereira will battle for playing time, and Luis Robert Jr. has firmly established himself as the team’s center fielder (at least for now, despite ongoing trade rumors), the White Sox could still use an upgrade in left field. Andrew Benintendi, who brings a reliable bat, has seen his range in the field decline, making him a candidate to transition into more of a designated hitter role.

This opens the door for the White Sox to explore other outfield options, and one intriguing candidate is Austin Hays. Hays, a former All-Star, is coming off a quietly productive 2025 season with the Cincinnati Reds, posting a solid .768 OPS and reminding everyone of the offensive upside he showed earlier in his career. What makes the fit even more appealing is Hays’ prior working relationship with the White Sox’s hitting director, Ryan Fuller, which could help ease his transition into Chicago and potentially unlock even more at the plate.

Though Hays hasn’t been directly linked to the White Sox in rumors, the connection and the fit make sense. Hays would provide the team with a solid, reliable bat and the defensive stability they need in the outfield, while his veteran presence would also help anchor a young outfield. If the Sox are able to land Hays, it would be a smart move that offers both reliability and upside.

Zack Littell – Rotation Reinforcement

The White Sox’s starting rotation is still a bit of a work in progress. There’s plenty of potential in Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, and Sean Burke, but this group would benefit from adding a steady hand to the mix. Enter Zack Littell, a veteran right-hander who has quietly been one of the most reliable arms in the majors.

Littell’s 2025 campaign with the Tampa Bay Rays was quietly impressive—he posted nearly 200 innings with elite command and a proven track record of durability. While he may not be a front-line ace, what Littell brings is stability, something this rotation desperately needs. His ability to eat innings and keep his team in games would provide much-needed balance to a rotation that currently lacks consistency.

Moreover, there’s a familiar connection between Littell and the White Sox front office. Littell first carved out a meaningful big-league role under Brian Bannister in San Francisco and later transitioned to a starting role in Tampa under Carlos Rodriguez—both of whom are now in the White Sox front office. This familiarity could help Littell hit the ground running in Chicago and ensure the White Sox get the best out of him.

For the White Sox, Littell would fit perfectly into their pursuit of mid-tier starting pitching. He’s not a flashy, high-profile name, but he’s exactly the type of player who could help solidify their rotation and provide stability throughout a 162-game season.

Tyler Kinley – Veteran Bullpen Arm

The White Sox bullpen, while promising, still lacks a proven right-handed veteran who can handle high-leverage situations. With most of the high-profile closers already off the market, the team is expected to give Jordan Leasure the first shot at the ninth inning, but a solid right-handed arm would provide insurance and depth.

Tyler Kinley, a 34-year-old reliever, could be the answer. Kinley spent six seasons with the Colorado Rockies before being traded to the Atlanta Braves at the 2025 deadline. While his ERA numbers from 2023 and 2024 may not impress, his underlying metrics tell a different story. Kinley has been plagued by bad luck, particularly due to pitching in the thin air of Coors Field, but his nasty slider—his primary weapon—remains highly effective.

In 2024, Kinley saved 12 of 13 chances for the Rockies, and he made 73 relief appearances in 2025. While he may not be a traditional closer, Kinley has proven that he can handle pressure situations and deliver in high-leverage spots. For a bullpen that’s still taking shape, Kinley would offer experience, versatility, and a proven ability to get big outs when the game is on the line.

Final Thoughts: Putting the Finishing Touches on a Promising Offseason

With just six weeks until pitchers and catchers report, the White Sox still have time to make a few more moves that could elevate their offseason from solid to outstanding. So far, the additions of Murakami, Kay, and Newcomb have laid a strong foundation, but adding players like Hays, Littell, and Kinley would help round out the roster and give the White Sox a legitimate shot at turning the corner in 2026.

This offseason is about more than just rebuilding; it’s about reestablishing a winning identity on the South Side. The White Sox have made the first steps toward contention, but with a few more strategic additions, they could set themselves up for a real playoff push. If the front office can capitalize on the remaining free-agent talent, 2026 could be the beginning of something special in Chicago.