Tuesday, November 04

CHICAGO -- Here are frequently asked questions regarding the 2026 White Sox as the Hot Stove heats up in full force:

Which players have contract options? What’s the dollar figure and impact on payroll, and what are the decision deadlines?
The White Sox hold a $20 million club option on center fielder Luis Robert Jr. for the 2026 and 2027 seasons, with a $2 million buyout.

The club option almost certainly will be picked up, based on comments from general manager Chris Getz after the team didn’t move Robert at the Trade Deadline and when Robert was shut down for the season with a Grade 2 left hamstring strain sustained Aug. 26. Even when the option is exercised, trade talks could follow and probably will follow.

Trade rumors have been attached to Robert since the ’24 Deadline. Will another team value Robert at $20 million, and what sort of trade return would the White Sox get if the full salary is picked up by the acquiring team?

This one-time All-Star is a solid defensive player, a tireless worker and as talented as any player on the roster when healthy and on his game. Those moments simply have not come about as consistently over the past six years as hoped for by the South Siders.

Left-hander Martin Perez has a $10 million mutual option and a $1.5 million buyout. If he’s healthy after a season-ending left shoulder strain, Perez provides valuable veteran presence within the staff, but it wouldn’t be through the mutual option.

The White Sox have five days after the World Series conclusion to make the call.

Which players are free agents?
Left-hander Tyler Alexander.

Is he likely to receive a qualifying offer?
Alexander, who took an Uber from Milwaukee to Rate Field and pitched three innings upon his arrival on June 8, proved to be durable, with a 4.26 ERA over 61 1/3 innings covering 31 games. But he certainly will not be getting a qualifying offer.

Who might be a non-tender candidate? When does the club have to make that decision?
Outfielder Mike Tauchman is the most significant name among the players eligible for salary arbitration. The list includes right-handed reliever Stephen Wilson and outfielder Derek Hill, who played four games for the team during the season’s final week.

Tauchman will turn 35 on Dec. 3 and had a strong first season with the White Sox -- nine home runs, 40 RBIs and a .756 OPS. The team’s Roberto Clemente Award nominee also was a valuable clubhouse presence and a team leader. He has expressed a desire to come back with the White Sox.

Getz and his staff will figure in Tauchman’s overarching value while deciding how they want to configure the roster for ’26, with right field a spot where there could be outside additions. The non-tender deadline is Nov. 21.

Who must be added to the 40-man roster this winter to avoid the Rule 5 Draft?
Right-hander Tanner McDougal posted a 3.26 ERA over 28 starts between High-A Winston-Salem and Double-A Birmingham, striking out 136 over 113 1/3 innings while featuring a fastball that touches 100 mph. So the No. 7 White Sox prospect, per MLB Pipeline, figures to be added to the 40-man roster by the Nov. 18 deadline to protect Rule 5 Draft-eligible players. He could quickly figure into the big league equation for ’26.

Other White Sox Top 30 prospects who are eligible for the Rule 5 Draft are right-handers Mason Adams (No. 13), Peyton Pallette (No. 14) and Aldrin Batista (No. 26); outfielder Samuel Zavala (No. 28); and lefty Tyler Schweitzer (No. 29). Adams and Pallette seem to be the only two with a solid chance to join McDougal on the 40-man roster. Adams is amid an ongoing recovery from Tommy John surgery performed near the end of the past Spring Training.

Don’t overlook Shane Murphy. The 24-year-old left-hander is not considered a pure stuff guy but still put together a 1.66 ERA in 135 1/3 innings across three levels, including a 1.38 ERA in 110 2/3 innings for Birmingham. The 40-man roster of the White Sox currently sits at 35, not counting four players on the 60-day injured list who must be added to the roster after the World Series concludes.

What kind of help do the White Sox need, and will they be active in free agency?
The bullpen will be an area of attention at the forefront of the White Sox spending plan. They have good younger arms in place with Jordan Leasure, Mike Vasil and Grant Taylor, assuming Taylor doesn’t move to the rotation. But after finishing a combined 23-58 in games decided by one or two runs and losing a total of 30 when leading after six innings, the White Sox need a veteran leverage arm or two.

Whom might the White Sox be willing to trade?
Payroll commitments for the ’26 White Sox fall primarily upon Robert’s $20 million option and the $17.1 million on outfielder Andrew Benintendi’s deal. There’s room to maneuver even if both continue their featured roles with the team. If they are moved, it should open up greater room to spend.

Is there prospect help on the ’26 horizon?
Left-handers Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith are the biggest drawing cards coming from the Minors. Schultz is the No. 2 White Sox prospect and No. 40 overall, while Smith is No. 5 for the White Sox and No. 88 overall. Keep an eye on switch-hitting outfielder Braden Montgomery, the No. 1 White Sox prospect and No. 35 overall. He finished his first pro season in ’25 with great success and could force the big league issue.

• Game 3 of the World Series was a work of art, flawed at times, but perfect to each person for distinct reasons. And nine straight times on base for Shohei Ohtani? In one game? For good measure, Ohtani started Game 4 on the mound after playing 18 innings Monday.

• Happy 38th anniversary to Harry Caray’s, celebrated last week. It’s an excellent restaurant with great food and even better people.

• Lionel Richie rocked the house at the Wynn Las Vegas on Saturday night. He’s 76 but has the stage energy of someone half his age.

• Another big win for University of Michigan football. The Wolverines finished off Michigan State.

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