The Chicago White Sox are making moves-and making noise-as the offseason heats up.
It started with a splash on Sunday, when the Sox landed Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami on a two-year, $34 million deal. Murakami, one of the most feared power bats in NPB history, had been a name to watch for months.
There were questions about how his game would translate to MLB pitching, but clearly, the White Sox saw enough to believe he’s ready to make that leap. And if he brings even a fraction of the thunder he showed in Japan, this could be a game-changer for the South Siders.
But Chicago wasn’t done. Just a couple days later, they added another intriguing piece, agreeing to a one-year, $4.5 million deal with left-hander Sean Newcomb. The team made the announcement via social media, and in a corresponding roster move, designated fellow lefty Ryan Rollison for assignment.
Newcomb’s journey through the majors has been anything but linear. He debuted back in 2017 with the Braves, showed flashes of promise, and bounced around a bit-spending time with the Cubs, Red Sox, and Athletics.
But it was in the second half of 2025 that everything seemed to click. Over 36 appearances, he put up a 1.75 ERA-far and away the best stretch of his big league career.
It wasn’t just about the numbers, either. Newcomb looked confident, composed, and in control, carving out a role as a dependable late-inning option from the left side.
That kind of production doesn’t go unnoticed, especially for a White Sox team looking to build something sustainable. They’re still in the early stages of a retool, but these are the kinds of calculated bets that can pay off big.
Murakami brings upside and star power. Newcomb brings stability and momentum.
Together, they signal a front office that isn’t standing still.
There’s still plenty of offseason left, but if these early moves are any indication, the White Sox are setting themselves up to be one of the more intriguing teams to watch in 2026.