The White Sox season has come to an end, and while the MLB Postseason is still going on, that too will soon come to an end. Once it does, it’s sure to be a busy time for all 30 teams, who will look to get roster moves done prior to the lockout widely expected to begin on December 1. The White Sox have a very young team with the overwhelming majority of their players signed long term and set to return in 2026, but a handful of veterans will hit free agency at the end of the year. Here is a complete list of White Sox free agents and whether I expect them to return to the White Sox in 2027.
OF Randal Grichuk
35-year-old outfielder Randal Grichuk began the 2026 season with the Yankees, where he played 16 games and struggled to a .535 OPS. He was designated for assignment by New York at the end of April and ended up signing a one-year deal with the White Sox at the start of May to fill in after the injury to Austin Hays. It turned out to be a permanent stay for Gricuk, who hit .299 with 15 home runs and a .926 OPS in 101 games with the White Sox. Grichuk primarily played against left-handed pitching, but made an impact nearly every time he was in the lineup. His overall numbers were reminiscent of his 2024 season, where he posted an .876 OPS in 106 games with Arizona. He’s on the older side, but Grichuk was a valuable member of the White Sox, and a platoon outfielder that crushes lefties could certainly have a role on the 2027 roster. I could definitely see the White Sox bringing him back on a short term deal.
Verdict: Bring Back
LHP Sean Newcomb
Lefty Sean Newcomb has now posted back-to-back strong seasons in a bullpen role after successful stints with the Red Sox, Athletics, and White Sox. He didn’t make the starting rotation like he wanted to out of spring training, but Newcomb proved himself as one of the White Sox most valuable relievers in 2026. The 33-year-old finished the season with a 3.09 ERA in more than 90 innings, pitching well in a variety of roles for the upstart White Sox. I believe the Sox will try to bring him back, but Newcomb may be looking for a multi-year contract and/or a starting role for next season, and I’m not sure the White Sox are interested in what it would take. I think a lefty reliever will be on the list of needed moves this offseason, whether it’s a reunion with Newcomb or something else. But I could see this one going either way.
Verdict: 50/50
RHP Erick Fedde
The White Sox took a chance on righty Erick Fedde, who pitched great for them in 2025 and struggled mightily with three teams in 2025. The move mostly worked. Fedde looked much better than his 2025 self, finishing the season with a 3.83 ERA in 141 innings while being used as both a starter and a bulk reliever. It was a productive year for Fedde, who will be 34 this offseason, but the White Sox really need to prioritize reliable starting pitching this offseason, and Fedde just hasn’t had the kind of consistency in his career that they’d be looking for. Fedde has likely earned himself another MLB contract, but I don’t expect the White Sox to bring him back, and I expect them to shoot higher for their rotation targets.
Verdict: Let Him Go
RHP Trevor Richards
The White Sox added Richards in an early season trade with the Phillies and immediately stuck him into their bullpen. The 33-year-old has a history of inconsistency in the major leagues, but had one of the better seasons of his career in 2026. Richards finished the season with 83 innings and a 3.69 ERA, largely in mop up duty. As well as he pitched at times, the White Sox never trusted him enough to consistently throw him in high leverage spots, and a few blow up outings hurt his overall numbers. Richards is likely to land a minor league deal and compete for a bullpen spot out of spring training, and I don’t think re-signing him should be a priority for the White Sox with bigger needs elsewhere.
Verdict: Let Him Go
OF/DH Tommy Pham
Tommy Pham didn’t join the White Sox roster until the season’s final month, and his impact was more in the clubhouse than on the field. He went just 3-for-17 in a White Sox uniform and played sparingly, primarily in a DH role against left-handers. Pham, 38, is known for his fiery personality but has a history of being a solid hitter at the big league level. His fit on the White Sox roster, however, is a bit of a curious one, especially if the team chooses to bring back Randal Grichuk. I think Pham will land a minor league deal elsewhere and be given a chance to compete for a roster spot in the spring, but it would surprise me if his time in Chicago isn’t finished.
Verdict: Let Him Go
Tommy Pham turns the tide with a HUGE 3-run homer 💪 pic.twitter.com/5MRpw9vt4b
— MLB (@MLB) September 16, 2026
C Jake Rogers
The White Sox addition of Jake Rogers came out of desperation when the primary plan, Joey Bart, landed on the IL. Kyle Teel’s injury and the struggles of Edgar Quero and Drew Romo created a need at a position the White Sox didn’t expect at the season’s outset, and they hoped Rogers would provide some stability down the stretch. In 18 games with the White Sox, however, he hit just .103 with a .418 OPS. Kyle Teel figures to be the White Sox primary catcher in 2027, and a decision will need to be made about the backup job. But with Bart, Quero, and Romo still under contract, it feels like bringing back Rogers for the role is highly unlikely. I expect him to go elsewhere.
Verdict: Let Him Go
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