The White Sox’s 2026 run ended Saturday night with a loss that kept them out of the ALCS, even after they jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the series. It wasn’t the finish anyone in Chicago wanted, but it didn’t erase what the club built along the way. Chris Getz assembled a young roster that clicked, and the people around the team helped steer the turnaround just as much as the players on the field.
That kind of success tends to get noticed. As the offseason gets going, Chicago could find itself protecting more than just its core players. Two names in particular - bench coach Walker McKinven and assistant general manager Josh Barfield - could draw interest from other clubs looking for their own upgrades.
McKinven has become a natural candidate for a bigger job. A Chicagoland native, he took over as White Sox bench coach when Will Venable was hired before the 2025 season.
His path through pro baseball has been a steady climb: he played college ball at Binghamton University, got his start with the Cubs in 2013, spent a year with the Rangers, and then joined Milwaukee in 2016. After four years as a Brewers scout, he moved onto the coaching staff in 2020 and spent four seasons as the Associate Pitching, Catching, and Strategy coach before adding the Run Prevention Coordinator title in 2024.
After the 2024 season, he came to Chicago and has been in the bench coach role for the last two years.
With the Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners, and possibly others looking for a new manager, McKinven could land in the interview mix. Bench coaches often move into managerial openings, and teams searching for their next skipper are likely to look closely at someone from the most surprising team in baseball. Whether McKinven would want to leave if that chance comes is unclear, but the White Sox would have a real hole to fill if he walks out the door.
There’s also a front office name to watch. Barfield has been one of the key figures behind the White Sox’s progress in 2026, not just because of his title but because of the way he’s helped shape the organization.
The 43-year-old spent parts of four big league seasons with San Diego and Cleveland before moving into scouting. He joined Arizona as a scout in 2016, rose to Director of Player Development, and held that post during the Diamondbacks’ 2023 World Series run.
After that, he came to the White Sox as assistant general manager and has held that role for three seasons.
His first two years in Chicago didn’t produce much, but he’s been a central part of the turnaround this season and is said to be well-liked by players. He has also reportedly already spoken with other teams in the past. With the Athletics casting a wide net in their search for a new GM, Barfield figures to be among the names in the conversation.
Chicago may already have one offseason departure to handle, with Amateur Scouting Director Mike Shirley also needing a replacement. There could be more movement behind the scenes, too. The encouraging part for the White Sox is that Getz has put together a sharp staff, and that gives the organization a strong base no matter what comes next.
In Other News...
White Sox Have A Rotation Target Fans Should Take Seriously
The White Sox have turned the page to offseason planning after being knocked out of postseason contention by the Guardians, and the rotation is one of the first places the front office is likely to look for help. One name that is already worth keeping an eye on is Michael King, the Padres right-hander who fits the profile of a pitcher who could steady a staff that needs more certainty heading into next year.
King has drawn interest because of the way he pitched across both the regular season and October, giving him the kind of track record that can matter to a team looking for a dependable starter rather than a quick fix. He has also made it known he would like to stay in San Diego, but the market may still pull him into a broader sweep of free agency, which is why Chicago could have to move quickly if it wants to get seriously involved. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Have A Rotation Problem Three Arms Could Complicate
Pitching depth loomed large in the White Soxs AL Division Series collapse, and the issue is carrying straight into the offseason. After blowing a 2-0 lead, Chicagos rotation picture for 2027 already looks like a major talking point, with the front office expected to add arms while sorting through a group of in-house candidates who could help shape the staff.
Among the names to watch are Drew Thorpe, Mike Vasil and Hagen Smith, each bringing a different kind of uncertainty to the conversation. Thorpe has remained one of the more intriguing internal options, Vasil is working his way back, and Smith could get a longer look in a starters role, which gives the Sox a few possible paths but not much certainty yet. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Face A Huge Murakami Decision After His Big Season
Munetaka Murakami quickly became one of the biggest reasons the White Sox pushed all the way to the ALDS in 2026, even if the batting average never told the whole story. Signed to a two-year deal before the season, he delivered the kind of power production and run scoring that made him impossible to ignore, and by the end of the year he had done enough to put himself in position for something bigger than a short-term fit.
The next question now is how long that relationship lasts after his current contract runs out in 2027. ESPNs Jesse Rogers believes the White Sox and Murakami have a real interest in working toward a multi-year extension, which makes sense given how well the first chapter has gone, but there is no indication anything is close yet. For a team that just found a major middle-of-the-order force, the longer-term planning may be just as important as the breakout season itself. [Read more 🡒]