Bonemer (Pipeline's No. 16 prospect) is thought to be pretty close to untouchable, but it brings about an interesting decision for Getz applied in general to acquiring a player at Miller’s lofty level. Getz certainly doesn’t want to take apart what he and his staff have so meticulously built, but then again, you can only win the season ahead of you and that’s 2026.
Some people might read my idea and point to a White Sox bullpen with a 2.24 ERA over the last 24 games entering Friday's series opener against Houston and move that area down the list of priorities. Starting pitcher and a catcher are of more pressing concern.
That plan makes sense to win the AL Central and get to the playoffs. Championships, of late, rely in the postseason on a deep and talented bullpen. Think of late-inning situations against the White Sox with Miller, Grant Taylor, Sean Newcomb and Bryan Hudson, not to mention potential ’26 relief additions from within such as No. 4 prospect Tanner McDougal from the right side and Hagen Smith (No. 51 overall) from the left side.
Manager Will Venable would be able to shrink the game at the most important time of the season.
All of these thoughts are not to wash away the need for a starter who can add quality innings and the same for a catcher with Kyle Teel being sidelined six to 12 weeks due to a high left ankle sprain. Most importantly, it’s all steeped primarily in the hypothetical.
In fact, if Getz was in the dugout on Friday while the media was waiting for Venable’s pregame media session, the whole Trade Deadline could have been laid out for him through our discussions. Alas, Getz was not around.
Of course, the division title is the focus for Venable and his charges, and nothing currently beyond that point as I wrote about on Thursday’s off-day. There are some talks about certain additions’ fits in this top-notch clubhouse, but Venable has full trust in Getz’s plan.
“Well, yeah, totally trust what he’s doing. There are things we are talking about as we are getting through these days and ideas are coming up,” Venable said. “I’m doing everything I can to get these guys in a good place to go out and win tonight. There’s some crossover, but we are both really busy doing our job.”
“Sometimes you want to play like you are a GM and try to figure out the moves and figure out who we are going to trade for,” Taylor said. “That’s one of the things where you can fall into a different mindset and not be focused about your actual job. I try to leave that to the guys who get paid for making those decisions.”
