The White Sox Are Betting On Upside With Their Latest Move
As we approach the end of January, we sit less than two weeks away from pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training. While the White Sox roster is mainly set, there is certainly still some room for improvement with the pitching staff and in the outfield.
While it is unclear on whether the improvements will come via free agency or through trades, Chris Getz has signaled multiple times that there will be more moves made before the season starts. Hopefully Getz has a few tricks up his sleeve, as the White Sox are potentially a few solid moves away from winning 75+ games.
While it wasn’t a major free agent signing, the White Sox did make an addition today, as according to James Fegan of Sox Machine, they have signed free agent relief pitcher Lucas Sims to a minor league deal.
White Sox say they’ve signed reliever Lucas Sims to a minor league deal
— James Fegan (@JRFegan) January 30, 2026
This is a very solid move, as the White Sox should try and turn over as many relief pitching stones as they can, as in any given year a relief pitcher could have an all-star season. With the volatility at the position, it never hurts to add players who have had major league success in the past, just like Sims.
Sims, 31, was a former first round pick of the Atlanta Braves in 2012, as a prep pitcher. He eventually made his major league debut with the Braves in 2017. In his rookie year, he started ten games and had a 5.62 ERA over 57.2 innings.
Sims was then acquired by the Cincinnati Reds in 2018 and had a 7+ ERA in just 15 innings. Sims had a very solid year with the Reds in 2019, as he posted 4.6 ERA over 43 innings, with a 1.163 WHIP. He had a very impressive 57 strikeouts in those 43 innings.
Lucas Sims is a solid flyer for the #WhiteSox
94th percentile fastball spin
40% whiff rate on the sweeperCutter/sweeper strikeouts https://t.co/7HRrwIiEsI pic.twitter.com/b0XKY8VQvz
— Adrian White (@AdrianWhiteSox) January 30, 2026
Sims would go on to have a very successful 2020, where he had a 2.45 ERA in 25 innings, striking out 34 batters. He also had a very solid 2021, where he had a 4.4 ERA over 47 innings, again striking out more than a batter an inning, as he had an insane 76 strikeouts, which was good for an elite 14.6 K/9 ratio.
Sims didn’t play much in the majors in 2022, but had a very, very good 2023 season, his best in the major leagues. He threw 61 innings of 3.10 ERA baseball, striking out 72 batters. This was good for a 1.9 WAR according to Baseball Reference.
Sims continued that success in 2024, as he had a solid 4.38 ERA over 49.1 innings. He struck out 49 batters while walking 30. While the ERA was alright, his command took a bit of a hit, as he had a 1.4 WHIP. These issues continued into 2025, as he had a 13 ERA over 12 innings, striking out 13, while walking 14.
Sims has some elite stuff and can get a strikeout when he needs it. However, his control has taken a bit of a hit over the past few years, making him an intriguing candidate in Spring Training. I really like this move for the White Sox, as they got him for nothing, and guys that can put up those kind of strikeout numbers don’t grow on trees. If he shows improved command in Spring Training, he has a real shot to make the roster.