White Sox Update: McKinven, Rule 5, Slater, Abreu, Buehrle

The White Sox have made quite a few headlines this week as we finally reach hump day. Before we shift our focus toward the weekend, let’s recap the latest news, notes, and anecdotes.

Walker McKinven will be hired as White Sox bench coach

Manager Will Venable announced on Tuesday’s episode of Foul Territory that Walker McKinven will be hired as the team’s new bench coach. McKinven, 35, has served in various roles within the Brewers organization since 2016. He recently spent the 2024 season as the team’s Run Prevention Coordinator and had a key role in Milwaukee’s daily game planning and improved catching.

Will Venable names Walker McKinven as White Sox bench coach

White Sox protect two prospects ahead of Rule 5 Draft

The White Sox added shortstop Colson Montgomery and right-handed pitcher Juan Carela to their 40-man roster on Tuesday. The moves were made before the 5 p.m. CT deadline, protecting both prospects from being selected in this year’s Rule 5 Draft.

White Sox add two prospects to the 40-man roster ahead of the Rule 5 Draft

Yoán Moncada to play in Puerto Rico alongside José Abreu

According to MLB insider Francys Romero, third baseman Yoan Moncada has signed with Puerto Rico’s Senadores de San Juan. He is expected to play for a “short stint” in the winter league alongside first baseman José Abreu.

Yoán Moncada to play in Puerto Rico alongside José Abreu

José Abreu drawing interest from teams, could sign soon

According to MLB insider Francys Romero, José Abreu has drawn interest from teams and could be nearing a deal with a Major League organization in the coming days. It is not yet known which clubs are currently targeting the veteran.

Abreu, 37, signed with the Senadores de San Juan last month to participate in the Puerto Rican Winter League. Intending to make an MLB comeback in 2025, the slugger has put up impressive numbers thus far. As of our previous article, he was hitting .269 with a 1.038 OPS, leading the league in home runs (4), total bases (20) and RBI (10).

Report: José Abreu drawing interest from MLB teams, deal imminent

Mark Buehrle returns to Hall of Fame ballot

Mark Buehrle enters his fifth year on the Hall of Fame ballot and hopes to see better results. The southpaw received 32 votes in 2024 to appear on just 8.3% of ballots, compared to 44 votes in 2021, 23 votes in 2022, and 42 votes in 2023.

Mark Buehrle enters fifth year on the Hall of Fame ballot

White Sox sign outfielder Austin Slater, Ryan Fuller reacts

As first reported by MLB insider Jon Heyman, the White Sox agreed to terms with veteran outfielder Austin Slater on Monday. The specifics of the major-league contract are still unknown since it is still pending a physical.

NEWS: Veteran OF Austin Slater has an agreement for an MLB deal with the White Sox
— Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) November 18, 2024

Slater, 31, split time between the Giants, Reds, and Orioles in 2024. While with the trio of teams, he hit a combined .209/.321/.266 with a 76 wRC+ and -0.1 fWAR in 212 plate appearances. Though not impressive overall, the outfielder did look closer to his former self during the second half after joining Baltimore. Though the 33-game sample size is on the smaller end, it’s still promising as the veteran slashed .246/.342/.333 with a 102 wRC+ and 0.5 bWAR in 79 plate appearances.

Heading into the 2025 season, Slater stays connected to former Orioles hitting coach Ryan Fuller who helped him get back on track. Fuller praised Slater in a recent comment to CHSN’s Chuck Garfien.

“The guy gets on base. It’s always going to be a really good at-bat. He knows how to game plan. He’s going to help the younger hitters … he crushes lefties and really knows how to control the strike zone.”

_{via Chuck Garfien/X}