Chicago

White Sox

Elko returns to Chicago a couple weeks after being non-tendered. The 26-year-old first baseman posted some impressive power numbers at the Triple-A level but flopped in his first taste of the majors, hitting .134/.194/.328 in 72 plate appearances for the White Sox. He’ll be sidelined at the outset of next season while recovering from surgery to repair a torn ACL in his right knee.

Dunn bolsters Chicago’s infield depth and will compete for a reserve role during spring training. The 28-year-old infielder batted .167 (6-for-36) in 14 games for the Brewers this past season. He’s merely organizational depth at this stage of his career.

Rolison was designated for assignment by Atlanta on Thursday, and the claim happens just a day later. The former first-round pick will be at risk of hitting the waiver wire again if/when Chicago adds another player to the 40-man roster.

Robert has been the subject of trade speculation over the last few years, but it appears this winter we might see the White Sox actually pull the trigger. The Mets would make sense, but Heyman notes that in order for New York to give up their top prospects, the White Sox would need to send some cash back. That’s not a very Jerry Reinsdorf thing to do. The Padres have also been mentioned as a potential landing spot for Robert, among others.

Alberto was the final pick of the Rule 5 draft, and the White Sox were the only team who picked twice. A 6-foot-8 right-hander, Alberto was able to strike out 64 batters in 48 2/3 innings, but it’s worth noting he didn’t pitch above High-A. He’ll have a chance to show if that stuff can play at the highest level this spring.

Paez missed much of 2025, but he had a 2.79 ERA and a 23/3 K/BB in 19 1/3 innings over seven starts for High-A Greenville. While he’s been a starter in the minors, he’s yet to throw more than 85 innings in a season. The White Sox figure to try him as a reliever and see if he can make the jump at age 22.

The ping pong balls came through for the White Sox as they secure the top selection in next year’s MLB Draft after having the highest odds — 27.73 percent — of landing the first overall pick. Chicago hasn’t picked first overall since taking future Hall of Famer Harold Baines in 1977. Their likely prize: UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is one of the best collegiate shortstop prospects in recent memory and is considered a slam-dunk to be taken first overall. Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson is widely-regarded as the top prep player in the draft class. The Giants and Royals were the big movers in this year’s lottery, jumping up double-digit spots into the top six overall, while the Rays also made a massive leap, going from seventh to second overall. Here are the full draft lottery results: (1) White Sox, (2) Rays, (3) Twins, (4) Giants, (5) Pirates, (6) Royals, (7) Orioles, (8) Athletics, (9) Braves, (10) Rockies, (11) Nationals, (12) Angels, (13) Cardinals, (14) Marlins, (15) Diamondbacks, (16) Rangers, (17) Astros and (18) Reds.

ESPN’s Jeff Passan reported earlier in the offseason that he believes it’s “finally time” for Robert to be traded, so we’re going to see a few teams being linked to him. What makes this report interesting is that there doesn’t seem to be a place for Robert in San Diego with Fernando Tatis Jr., Jackson Merrill, and Ramon Laureano as the starting outfield. However, there have also been trade rumors surrounding Tatis as the Padres look to shed salary and add young, controllable starting pitchers. Perhaps there could be a few levers being pulled here.

The deal was announced last week and is now official. It includes a mutual option for the 2028 season as well. Kay is returning to the U.S. after two seasons in Japan with the Yokohama BayStars. Last season, he registered a 1.74 ERA and a 130/41 K/BB in 155 innings. He should get a shot to fill a spot in the White Sox rotation, but $6 million per season is not the type of money that guarantees him that spot if he doesn’t perform.

The White Sox held on to him after his excellent 2023, hoping to cash in at the deadline in 2024, but were never able to due to injuries. They now picked up Robert’s $20 million team option and have another $20 million option for 2027. He still has elite raw ability, but has been inconsistent and injured over the last few years, which “would limit the return on any potential deal.” Still, Passan believes now is the time for a deal and lists the Mets, Phillies, and Reds as possible landing spots.