The Chicago White Sox have made it no secret that adding left-handed power has been one of their most pressing objectives as they reshape the roster for the upcoming season.

While Chicago already addressed that need in part by signing Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a short-term deal, the front office clearly is not finished searching for offensive reinforcements.

On Wednesday, the White Sox quietly added another left-handed bat to the organization, this time through a low-risk depth signing rather than a headline-grabbing acquisition.

According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, Chicago signed veteran first baseman and outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. to a minor league contract with an invitation to major league spring training.

“LaMonte Wade agrees to White Sox deal, Minors deal. Camp invite,” Heyman reported, confirming the transaction early Wednesday afternoon.

From the White Sox’s perspective, this move represents a classic depth play, one that carries minimal downside while still offering the possibility of meaningful return.

Wade Jr. brings experience, left-handed power history, and strong plate discipline to an organization that continues to prioritize controllable upside.

Over seven major league seasons, Wade Jr. has accumulated 55 career home runs while playing for the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, and Los Angeles Angels.

Those 55 home runs have come in just 560 career games, a notable total considering he has logged only 1,907 career plate appearances.

That power output once made Wade Jr. an intriguing late-blooming offensive contributor, particularly during his early years with San Francisco.

Originally selected by Minnesota in the ninth round of the 2015 MLB Draft out of the University of Maryland, Wade Jr.’s path to the majors was anything but direct.

He made his MLB debut relatively late and struggled to establish himself with the Twins, appearing in only 42 games across two seasons.

Minnesota eventually moved on, trading Wade Jr. to the Giants, a change of scenery that proved transformative for his career.

In his first season with San Francisco in 2021, Wade Jr. emerged as one of the team’s most productive hitters.

That year, he launched 18 home runs in 109 games and posted a strong .808 OPS, becoming a key contributor in high-leverage situations.

His performance that season was strong enough to earn down-ballot MVP votes, an impressive achievement for a player once viewed as organizational depth.

The following season, however, proved far more challenging.

In 2022, Wade Jr. appeared in just 77 games and saw his production dip sharply, finishing with eight home runs and a .665 OPS.

That regression raised questions about whether his breakout had been sustainable or simply a one-year spike.

Wade Jr. responded with a partial rebound in 2023, showing flashes of his earlier power.

Across that season, he hit 17 home runs and recorded a .790 OPS, reestablishing himself as a viable major league contributor.

While not quite matching his 2021 peak, his 2023 performance suggested there was still value in his bat.

In 2024, Wade Jr. experienced a shift in his offensive profile.

He hit a career-high .260 batting average, demonstrating improved contact ability and consistency.

However, that increase in average came with diminished power, as his OPS settled at .761 and his home run total declined.

Then came 2025, a season that proved to be the most difficult of his career.

Wade Jr.’s offensive production collapsed, as he posted a .167 batting average and a .524 OPS.

The struggles ultimately led to him being traded to the Angels for a player to be named later, a deal that reflected his falling stock.

Unfortunately for Wade Jr., the move to Anaheim did little to spark a turnaround, as his offensive issues persisted.

By season’s end, he found himself searching for another opportunity to revive his career.

From a skills standpoint, Wade Jr. still possesses one trait that stands out across his profile.

According to Baseball Savant metrics, he continues to display elite plate discipline, consistently ranking well in chase rate and walk percentage.

That approach gives him a foundation to contribute offensively, even if his power ceiling has diminished.

However, other aspects of his game have declined significantly.

Defensively, Wade Jr. took a noticeable step back in 2025, finishing the season with -5 Outs Above Average.

His once-passable glove at first base and in the outfield has become a concern rather than an asset.

Additionally, his speed has eroded over time, dropping to the 17th percentile league-wide.

Those defensive and athletic declines largely explain why Chicago was able to sign him to a minor league deal rather than a guaranteed contract.

Still, for a team in need of left-handed depth, Wade Jr. offers a familiar profile with some remaining upside.

The White Sox are not counting on Wade Jr. to be a cornerstone of their 2026 lineup.

Instead, this signing is best viewed as organizational insurance.

With Murakami expected to serve as the primary first baseman in 2026, major league opportunities for Wade Jr. will be limited.

Murakami has been remarkably durable throughout his professional career.

He has played at least 140 games in five of his eight NPB seasons, a notable figure given that the Japanese schedule consists of 143 games.

That durability reduces the likelihood of extended absences that would open regular playing time at first base.

Even if Murakami were to miss time, the White Sox have several internal options capable of filling in.

Lenyn Sosa, Miguel Vargas, and Curtis Mead all project as potential first-base replacements if needed.

That depth further limits Wade Jr.’s path to consistent major league at-bats.

However, his most likely role will come at the Triple-A level.

With Tim Elko undergoing ACL surgery in October, Chicago suddenly has an opening at first base for its Triple-A affiliate.

Wade Jr. is a strong candidate to serve as the everyday first baseman in that role, at least to begin the season.

That opportunity could be critical for both player and team.

For Wade Jr., consistent playing time offers a chance to rediscover some semblance of his earlier form.

For the White Sox, a productive Triple-A season would provide valuable depth without requiring additional roster moves.

If Wade Jr. can rebound to even his 2024 level of production, the signing would be considered a success.

That level of performance would not make him a star, but it would restore his viability as a major league depth option.

General manager Chris Getz has emphasized the importance of low-risk acquisitions that preserve flexibility.

This move aligns perfectly with that philosophy.

The White Sox are not committing significant resources, nor are they blocking younger players.

Instead, they are adding a veteran who understands his role and brings experience to a developing system.

Wade Jr.’s presence could also provide mentorship for younger hitters at Triple-A.

His knowledge of major league pitching, preparation routines, and situational hitting carries value beyond raw statistics.

For a rebuilding organization, those intangible benefits often go overlooked.

There is no guarantee Wade Jr. will ever appear in a White Sox uniform during the regular season.

But the beauty of this deal lies in its optionality.

If he struggles, the team can move on with minimal consequence.

If he succeeds, Chicago gains an experienced left-handed bat capable of contributing in a limited role.

As spring training approaches, Wade Jr. will have an opportunity to prove that his career is not yet finished.

The path back to relevance will not be easy, but it is clearly defined.

For the White Sox, the signing reflects disciplined roster management rather than desperation.

They are continuing to add layers, piece by piece, without overcommitting.

In an offseason defined by calculated bets, LaMonte Wade Jr. represents one more swing at upside.

And if he finds a way to reclaim even a fraction of his former production, the White Sox may have uncovered more value than expected.