Just days after locking in slugger Munetaka Murakami with the kind of contract that signals a new era on the South Side, the White Sox kept their foot on the gas-this time addressing a long-standing bullpen need. Veteran left-handed reliever Sean Newcomb is headed to Chicago on a one-year, $4.5 million deal, giving the Sox a much-needed arm from the left side and a potential stabilizer in late-game situations.
A Career Rebuilt
Newcomb, now 32, has seen the highs and lows of big-league life. Once a promising starter in his early years, he found success with Atlanta in 2017 and 2018 before hitting a rough patch that lasted several seasons.
From 2020 to 2024, he bounced between four different clubs, posting a 6.66 ERA and struggling to find a consistent role. His WHIP ballooned to 1.69 during that stretch, and his command issues often overshadowed the raw stuff that once made him a first-round pick.
But 2025? That was a different story.
Newcomb turned the page in a big way this past season. Splitting time between Boston and Oakland, he put together his best campaign in years-maybe ever.
Over 92.1 innings, he posted a 2.73 ERA and a 3.04 FIP, striking out nearly nine batters per nine innings. And when used out of the bullpen-his primary role in 2025-he was even better.
In 43 relief appearances totaling 70 innings, Newcomb delivered a 2.19 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP, numbers that speak to his ability to limit damage and keep the ball in play.
Left-handed hitters, in particular, had a tough time solving him. They managed just a .226/.308/.321 slash line in 121 plate appearances-a promising sign for a White Sox team that’s been searching for a dependable southpaw to neutralize lefty bats in key moments.
What Changed?
Newcomb’s resurgence wasn’t just about confidence-it was about adjustments. He’s always had a deep pitch mix, but in 2025, he used it more strategically.
His six-pitch arsenal includes a four-seam fastball, slurve, sinker, cutter, changeup, and curveball. Last season, he leaned more on his sinker and slurve, dialing back the four-seamer that had once been a go-to but had become too hittable.
The numbers back it up. His four-seam usage dropped from 47% in 2024 to just 30% in 2025, while his sinker usage jumped to 22%.
That shift helped him induce more ground balls and limit barrels-two areas where he ranked in the top half of the league, according to Baseball Savant. For a pitcher who once struggled to put hitters away or keep the ball in the yard, that’s a major turnaround.
A Bullpen in Need
The White Sox bullpen was a sore spot last season, and their left-handed options were particularly underwhelming. Cam Booser shuttled between Triple-A and the bigs before moving on. Brandon Eisert, Tyler Gilbert, and Tyler Alexander all saw time, but none managed to lock down the role or provide consistent results.
The front office already made one move to address the issue by acquiring Chris Murphy from Boston earlier this offseason. But Newcomb brings a different level of experience and upside. He’ll slide in as the top lefty in the bullpen from Day 1, giving manager Pedro Grifol a weapon he didn’t have last year-someone who can handle tough lefty matchups and still get outs against righties when needed.
A Division That Demands It
In a division featuring left-handed threats like Vinnie Pasquantino, Steven Kwan, Kyle Manzardo, Riley Greene, and Kerry Carpenter, having a capable left-handed reliever isn’t a luxury-it’s a necessity. The AL Central may not be the most stacked division top to bottom, but it does feature enough quality left-handed bats to make bullpen matchups a nightly chess match.
That’s where Newcomb fits in. He’s not just a stopgap or a flyer-he’s a pitcher who reinvented himself and proved last season that he can still get big outs. For a White Sox team looking to build momentum heading into 2026, he’s exactly the kind of move that makes you think this club is serious about turning the corner.
The Murakami signing made the headlines, but don’t sleep on this one. Sean Newcomb might just be the under-the-radar addition that helps the White Sox bullpen take a much-needed step forward.