As the White Sox prepare to leave for spring training in Glendale, the roster finally feels close to settled.
Close — but not finished.
Cincinnati Reds left fielder Austin Hays (12) hits an RBI base hit in the sixth inning between Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati on Sept. 7, 2025. | Albert Cesare/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Chicago’s front office has spent the winter collecting pieces rather than chasing a single defining move.
Anthony Kay. Sean Newcomb. Seranthony Dominguez. Jordan Hicks. Incremental steps forward.
Then came Austin Hays.
A one-year, six-million-dollar deal doesn’t usually alter a franchise’s outlook.
But it does change lineup math.
With most position-player additions likely complete, Opening Day clarity is beginning to emerge — along with tension.
At the top of the order, Chase Meidroth remains the favorite at second base.
His rookie season showcased elite plate discipline and on-base instincts that naturally fit a leadoff profile.
Power growth is still a question. Opportunity is not.
Behind him, Miguel Vargas looks locked in at third base.
A midseason swing change in 2025 transformed his production, stabilizing a position that felt unsettled early last year.
The White Sox believe another step forward is coming.
Colson Montgomery is the lineup’s anchor.
After erupting for 21 home runs in his final 57 games as a rookie, Montgomery enters 2026 with real expectations.
Cutting strikeouts could push him from promising to foundational.
Kyle Teel follows closely.
Teel’s offseason strength gains hint at increased power, but his value already extends beyond home runs.
Whether catching or hitting, his bat is too important to sit.
First base belongs to Munetaka Murakami.
The signing carries excitement and anxiety in equal measure.
Murakami’s power upside is undeniable. His contact adjustment remains unknown.
Either way, he’ll hit in the heart of the order.
Left field is less certain.
Andrew Benintendi is penciled in, but questions linger.
His power has stabilized. His on-base skills have not. His defense remains a concern.
A healthy spring keeps him there — for now.
Right field is where Austin Hays enters the picture.
Hays brings versatility, experience, and reliability against left-handed pitching.
He’s not a star. He doesn’t need to be.
Chicago needed stability more than upside.
Ken Rosenthal noted opportunity mattered in Hays’ decision.
That suggests regular at-bats, not platoon scraps.
Designated hitter becomes the pivot point.
Edgar Quero likely occupies the role early, allowing both he and Teel to stay in the lineup.
It’s an evaluation year behind the plate.
The White Sox want answers.
Center field remains unresolved.
Everson Pereira gets the early edge, not because of certainty, but because of potential.
His minor league resume teases a 30/30 profile. His MLB footing remains unsteady.
Chris Getz has hinted at patience.
This could be the runway Pereira has waited for.
Around the edges, pressure builds.
Luisangel Acuña. Jarred Kelenic. Derek Hill. Brooks Baldwin. Lenyn Sosa.
All capable. All competing. Few guaranteed roles.
Austin Hays didn’t block one player.
He narrowed margins.
That’s the quiet shift happening in Chicago.
The White Sox aren’t just rebuilding anymore.
They’re sorting.
Spring training will determine who fits, who waits, and who becomes expendable.
Opening Day in Milwaukee is approaching.
The lineup will look cleaner on paper than it feels internally.
And that tension — between opportunity and limitation — may define the White Sox’s 2026 more than any single signing.
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