White Sox News and Notes: January 8

Chicago gets an arm and an infielder, SoxFest update

Well, you can't say that Chris Getz has been sitting on his hands this offseason, that's for sure. However, you CAN definitely articulate that what he has done hasn't been earth-shattering. Nonetheless, here's the rundown of what's been on the table lately. After all, if you're like me, now that the holidays are over, you're itching for baseball, even if it's bad baseball.

Martin Pérez (source)

It's not Roki Sasaki, but the South Siders (reportedly) will ink starter Martin Pérez to a one-year deal. The 33-year-old pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres in 2024. He accumulated a 0.9 WAR, which would have slotted him in with the fifth-best on the team last year after Jonathan Cannon, who earned a 1.1. The veteran should be a solid presence in the rotation to supplement all the young arms.

Honestly, this is not a bad pickup at all, and the southpaw should help eat up plenty of innings. He tossed 135 frames last season for a 4.53 ERA with a 1.481 WHIP. The lefty was better in the second half of 2024 after being traded to the Friars, with a 3.46 ERA and 1.212 WHIP. He had 107 strikeouts, which is pretty decent, but the free passes killed him. With a 3.3 BB/9, he will need to find a way to get the ball over the plate, or we're just going to have yet another guy who can't get batters out. If he puts up decent numbers, Pérez is a prime flip candidate at the deadline.

Josh Rojas

Rojas is officially a South Sider. The Chicago infield will have plenty of options, including Rojas, Bryan Ramos, Miguel Vargas, Brooks Baldwin, Lenyn Sosa, and possibly Colson Montgomery.

Josh Rojas, a 30-year-old utility player, spent the last two seasons with the Seattle Mariners. During that time, he accumulated a combined 3.0 WAR and slashed .236/.308/.351 with a .659 OPS. While these numbers are not particularly impressive, they are in line with the type of offensive production that White Sox fans have become accustomed to, sadly enough. However, Rojas' 2.1 WAR in 2024 would have been the highest of any offensive player on the White Sox roster last year ... so yay, I guess?!

As depth is added, it’s also take, as 2024 in-season pickup Jacob Amaya was waived to make room for Rojas.

Minor Moves

Sergio Santos, former South Sider and Charlotte Knight, has been appointed as the manager of Triple-A Charlotte for the upcoming 2025 season. The 41-year-old was the architect of the Double-A Birmingham Barons' Southern League Championship last year. Hey, it’s his the second promotion to Charlotte of his career, 16 years apart, so congratulations to Sergio!

Looking to add possible infield depth and give themselves plenty of options, the Pale Hose have signed Bobby Dalbec to a minor league deal. The 29-year-old was a former fourth-round pick (No. 118) of the Boston Red Sox. A once-promising prospect out of the University of Arizona, Dalbec hasn't yet been able to put it together at the big league level. His career slash line is .222/.290/.425 with a .714 OPS and a -0.8 WAR.

Corey Julks, who was DFA'd in December to make room on the 40-man for reliever Cam Booser, cleared waivers and is a non-roster invite to spring training. On the flip side, the Kansas City Royals picked up Braden Shewmake, who was DFA'd due to the Tyler Gilbert acquisition. Shew ... glad we knew ye.

SoxFest

With the fan festival only 16 days away, it's been radio silence on the SoxFest front since December 17, when they announced who would — or won't — be attending. Notable absent players include $75 million man Andrew Benintendi and former All-Star Luis Robert Jr.

The promise that “additional White Sox players and greats scheduled to attend will be announced as confirmed” has not been fulfilled. From my understanding, one of the event's intentions is to celebrate past seasons, including the 20th anniversary of the 2005 World Series. Unfortunately, as it stands right now, it seems to lack an essential key element: The presence of former players. Celebrating and interacting with these legends would be a significant part of the experience, and their absence diminishes the anticipated excitement many fans have for attending the event.

Obviously, there is still time, and I really hope that the Sox eventually expand the list. If not, it's only a fitting kickoff to what looks to be another horrendous season. Maybe not 121-losses bad, but still not good.

In case your still thinking about going, VIP tickets for Saturday are sold out. However, Friday's VIP passes and general admission for both days are still available.