With an overall young and productive roster, the White Sox have the luxury of not having too many players set to depart in free agency this offseason. The overwhelming majority of the roster will be back in 2027, with Sean Newcomb and Randal Grichuk among the team’s most notable free agents. Replacing Grichuk’s production will be a tall task, but there should be no shortage of options for right-handed outfielders who hit lefties well. Replacing Sean Newcomb’s 3.09 ERA in over 90 innings will be a much bigger challenge, however. The White Sox could turn to free agency in hopes of finding a replacement, and here are a few options.
LHP Adrian Morejon, San Diego Padres
Not only the best left-handed reliever on the market, but perhaps the best overall bullpen arm available this winter, Adrian Morejon would cost any signing team a pretty penny. But the 27-year-old could make that financial commitment worth it with his consistency. He’s posted three-straight seasons with at least 60 appearances and an ERA below 3.00. With Mason Miller, potentially the best closer in baseball, behind him in the pen in San Diego, Morejon didn’t get too many opportunities to close out games over the years, but has been elite in a set up role. It’s possible he wants a chance to close games somewhere and will be looking to get paid like a closer, likely taking him out of the White Sox pay range. But pairing Morejon with Grant Taylor in the back of the bullpen could be a lethal combination and truly shorten the game for a White Sox pitching staff in need of reinforcements this offseason. It would be costly, but it may be worth a pursuit for the White Sox.
LHP Alex Vesia, Los Angeles Dodgers
If the White Sox are looking for a reliable left-hander that will likely come at a cheaper price, allow me to introduce them to Alex Vesia. The 30-year-old made his big league debut with the Miami Marlins in 2020 but has spent the past six years as a mainstay in the Dodgers bullpen. A 2023 season where he posted an uninspiring 4.35 ERA seems like an outlier at this point in his career, as each of his other five years in LA have been stellar. In addition, Vesia has a career 1.59 ERA in 22.2 innings in the Postseason, so he brings plenty of experience succeeding in big games. Vesia appeared in a career-high 72 games in 2026, posting a 2.64 ERA and maintaining an elite strikeout rate despite not having overwhelming stuff. He’s been very consistently successful as a late-inning reliever and will look to cash in. He could be the most natural fit to replace Sean Newcomb for the White Sox.
Alex Vesia escapes the bases loaded jam and is PUMPED! pic.twitter.com/SSnl0iXiih
— MLB (@MLB) March 29, 2025
LHP Gregory Soto, Pittsburgh Pirates
The antithesis of Vesia in terms of stuff but coming off an equally good 2026 season, Pirates lefty Gregory Soto will bring closing experience to whichever team he chooses in free agency. Soto saved 48 of 52 attempts during a two-year stint as the Tigers closer in 2021 and 2022. He took on more of a setup role during stints with the Phillies, Orioles, and Mets, and joined the Pirates for 2026 with an opportunity to close games. Soto finished 16 of 22 in saves, but posted a 3.63 ERA with 79 strikeouts in 67 innings for the season. He’ll hit free agency prior to his age-32 season and look to cash in on his elite stuff. I’m not sure I’d throw Soto into the closer role if I were the White Sox, but he can certainly be a reliable setup man with experience closing should the opportunity arise.
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