White Sox, GM Chris Getz face hard
act to follow in 2027, in spite of unexpected playoff run
[October 15, 2026]
By MATT CARLSON
CHICAGO (AP) — The Chicago White Sox face quite a tough act to
follow in 2027, if and when the season starts.
Chicago made history in 2026 by becoming the first team to reach the
playoffs after two straight 100-loss seasons. And it wasn't just two
terrible seasons. The White Sox climbed to 84-78 this season after
three consecutive 100-loss campaigns, including 2024 when they set a
post-1900 era record with 121 defeats.
Still, general manager Chris Getz, who quipped his surprising young
club was “playing with house money” in September, admitted Chicago's
loss to the Cleveland Guardians in the deciding Game 5 of their
American League Division Series last Saturday series hurt.
“I do need to acknowledge that there was a sting in Cleveland when
we came up short,” Getz told reporters on Wednesday.
After sweeping Houston 2-0 in a Wild Card round, Chicago raced to a
2-0 series lead against the Guardians before dropping three straight
to end their playoff run.
After speaking with manager Will Venable, coaches and players
following the final loss, Getz processed an abundance of mutual
gratitude and "zoomed out” for a bigger picture.
“You know it was such a young player group and it’s not easy to
break into the major leagues, let alone play in games of such high
stakes," Getz said. “It can’t get lost on you what these players
went out there and did. They exceeded expectations, for themselves,
certainly as a team.”
The White Sox, who relied heavily on the longball to score an
AL-leading 776 runs in the regular season, struck out a record 21
times against Cleveland pitching in their season-ending 2-0 loss in
Game 5.
Getz admitted that exposed one of his team’s weaknesses.
The White Sox went deep 211 times, second-most in the AL, in 2026 –
and struck out 1,494 times, second highest in the league. Rookie
Munetaka Murakami, second-year shortstop Colson Montgomery and
Miguel Vargas gave the White Sox their first trio of 30-plus home
run hitters since 2008.
Montgomery set a record with 227 strikeouts. Murakami struck out 196
times. Both saw their batting averages slide in the second half.
“You know their first halves put us in a position to get into the
playoffs,” Getz said. "They still, in my mind, exceeded
expectations. Are there going to be adjustments needed along the
way? Yes.”
Getz is confident both sluggers will work to improve their plate
approaches in the offseason, then apply those changes for better
contact rates in 2027 — provided owners and the players' union can
ratify a new collective bargaining agreement.
The White Sox need to deepen their pitching staff, especially with
starters or arms that can throw bulk relief innings. Venable cobbled
together pitching schemes in 2026, using openers 31 times in the
regular season.
“We’re going to need more out of our starting pitching,” Getz said.
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Chicago White Sox's Munetaka Murakami (5) walks back to the dugout
after out during the first inning in Game 4 of baseball's American
League Division Series against the Cleveland Guardians, Thursday,
Oct. 8, 2026, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Nam Huh)
Getz expects some of that to come from within the
organization, from the likes of Hagen Smith, Grant Taylor, Noah
Schultz and David Sandlin. There's also Shane Smith, the White Sox
opening day starter who was sent to Triple-A in April after enduring
mechanical and injury issues.
He also expects Davis Martin and Luis Castillo to be healthy. Martin
fizzled, apparently due to a right leg injury, after getting off to
a 9-2 start. Castillo, a three-time All-Star acquired at the trade
deadline, ended up on the IL with a right shoulder impingement.
The White Sox are deep with young infielders, especially after
second baseman Chase Meidroth's breakout season. More are on the
way, led by Roch Cholowsky, the top pick in the 2026 draft.
Getz says the outfield is “an area in which I think we can make
greater strides for improvement," despite the unexpected emergence
of Tristan Peters as an All-Star. The White Sox don’t have a long
list of free agents, but left fielder Randal Grichuk provided a huge
boost after the Yankees released the 35-year-old and Chicago signed
him.
“But if anything, I think I feel like really good about the depth
we’ve created," Getz said.
Now, Getz said, his “focus tightens a little bit more” as he tries
to add talent via free agency or trades.
The GM has yet to talk to owner Jerry Reinsdorf about a budget for
next season, but will soon and expects to have ample financial
leeway.
“You know, we’ve got the payroll flexibility,” said Getz, whose
team's $117.7 million payroll in 2026 ranked 24th, according to
Spotrac.
The White Sox remain in “sensitive and private” discussions with
Murakami’s representatives about an extension on the two-year, $34
million deal the Japanese first baseman signed last December.
“Mune means a lot to us and we certainly want him to come back here
and be here for a long time," Getz said.
And when it comes to the uncertainly around the CBA?
“There’s going to be opportunities to add,” he said. “The timing of
that, who knows?" Getz said he'll be prepared to “pounce” should an
attractive free agent deal emerge after the World Series.
One thing Getz doesn’t want to change: The team’s upbeat, almost
magic clubhouse atmosphere of 2026. He credits that to Venable’s
ability to communicate, as well as his players.
“When I just think about this player group and how much they care
for each other and care for this organization… it makes what
transpired this season even more special,” Getz said.
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