White Sox not ‘actively looking to move anyone,’ trying to grow from within

White Sox fans shouldn’t plan on much outside reinforcement coming to help the team next season.

“We’re not actively looking to move anyone, but naturally there is some interest in our players,” general manager Chris Getz said Wednesday.

He then reiterated his stance from the beginning of the offseason: If the Sox make a jump next season, the improvement likely will come from within.

“We like the group that we have currently, in regards to our young players that got to the big leagues last year,” Getz said. “Now, if it makes sense down the road to look into making a move that can help us in other areas, we’ll have those conversations.”

That increases the likelihood of players such as Tanner McDougal, Duncan Davitt — whom the Sox added to the 40-man roster Tuesday — Everson Pereira or Tanner Murray impacting the 2026 roster.

The Sox have plenty of holes that young players who couldn’t crack other teams’ rotation or lineup can fill. Adding Pereira, a former top-100 prospect in the Yankees’ organization, is a no-brainer given the Sox’ dearth of power in their lineup.

“At his floor, we have a strong defender who can play center field and the wings and has power potential,” Getz said. “He has a big engine; he has potential.”

The Sox’ opportunities extend to the rotation, where McDougal could play a role. He opened eyes last season, posting a 3.26 ERA across two minor-league levels.

It was a strong showing in his second season back from Tommy John surgery. But he was unsure if he would be added to the 40-man roster because he was only a year removed from recording a 6.04 ERA.

“My goal was just to get back to throwing strikes and getting outs,” McDougal said. “After the year I had in 2024, I was on the outs with myself because it’s frustrating when you’re not doing what you feel you’re capable of. I just came [into 2025] trying to prove to myself that you’re good enough.”

Getz said that the organization was impressed with McDougal and that he “put himself on the map as a top arm in the industry on the minor-league side.”

“At this point, I’m just trying to do anything I can to help the big-league team out,” McDougal said. “Whether that’s out of the bullpen, whether that’s as a starter, whatever they need, I’m willing to do.”