Happy pitchers and catchers report day to all who celebrate! Here are the latest White Sox storylines to kick off the start of Spring Training.
Michael A. Taylor signs one-year deal with White Sox
The White Sox and outfielder Michael A. Taylor agreed to a one-year, $1.95 million deal on Tuesday. According to MLB.com’s Mark Feinsand, the agreement also comes with performance bonuses.
Taylor, who turns 34 in March, spent the 2024 season with the Pittsburgh Pirates and hit .193/.253/.290 with a 50 wRC+ in 113 games. Well-known for his defense throughout his 11-year career, Taylor earned a Gold Glove in 2021 with the Royals. The centerfielder has consistently made a difference with his leather and looks to provide the White Sox with some stability in the outfield.
With the addition of another centerfielder, some have begun to question the future of Luis Robert Jr. heading into the season. Though a trade doesn’t appear imminent, things can change quickly between now and Opening Day. Either way, the team will have a backup option in place if and when their former All-Star is dealt.
LHP Ky Bush to undergo Tommy John surgery
Chris Getz informed the media on Tuesday that left-hander Ky Bush will be undergoing Tommy John surgery. It is unclear when the injury occurred, though the prospect will have the procedure done today.
Bush, 24, found success with Double-A Birmingham to start this past season. He delivered a 2.12 ERA and 1.03 WHIP over 80.2 innings to earn himself a promotion to Triple-A Charlotte by the summer. While his success didn’t quite carry over in six games there, the White Sox still promoted Bush and gave him four major-league starts. He owned a 5.60 ERA over 17.2 innings pitched in his first taste of big-league action.
RHP Steven Wilson outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte
After being designated for assignment as part of the waiver claim for left-hander Brandon Eisert, right-handed reliever Steven Wilson is staying in the organization. The White Sox announced on Tuesday that Wilson cleared waivers and has been outrighted to Triple-A Charlotte, as expected.
Wilson, 30, was acquired as part of the Dylan Cease trade with the Padres but could not build off his two solid campaigns from San Diego. Wilson had multiple IL stints in 2024 due to back strains and finished with a 5.71 ERA, lowering fastball velocity, and career-worst strikeout and walk rates.
Despite the negatives, the White Sox tendered Wilson a $950,000 salary for the upcoming season, hoping he can turn things around. The team will now keep him stashed away in Triple-A until needed.
Chris Getz optimistic for 2025 White Sox
Chris Getz sounded optimistic for the 2025 season when speaking with the media on Tuesday. The White Sox GM provided the following quotes and shared several updates on players:
Dick Allen to wear Phillies cap on Hall of Fame plaque
Though the White Sox will have another former player enshrined in baseball immortality, he won’t be donning the team’s logo.
The National Baseball Hall of Fame announced on Monday that Dick Allen will be going into Cooperstown with a Philadelphia Phillies cap on his Hall of Fame plaque. The full list of selections are as follows:
- Dick Allen: Phillies
- Dave Parker: Pirates
- CC Sabathia: Yankees
- Ichiro Suzuki: Mariners
- Billy Wagner: Astros
This comes after various reports suggested the former MVP, who passed away in December 2020, wanted to go in with a White Sox cap on his plaque. CHSN’s Chuck Garfien backed this up after speaking with Allen’s biographer David Fletcher, who said bluntly, “Dick told me several times (that if he made the Hall of Fame) he wanted to go in as a White Sox.”
Gavin Sheets signs minor-league deal with Padres
Former White Sox slugger Gavin Sheets is in agreement with the San Diego Padres on a minor league contract, according to FanSided’s Robert Murray. The deal will come with a non-roster invite to Spring Training.
Sheets, 28, was estimated to make $2.6 million in arbitration this offseason, which led to him entering free agency after being non-tendered in November. In 139 games, the former second-round draft pick slashed just .233/.303/.357 with 10 home runs, 45 RBI, an 88 wRC+, and -0.9 fWAR. Though he could be considered valuable as a situational lefty bat, Sheets’ poor offensive output in 2024 diminished that notion and led to his departure.
Brooke Fletcher added to White Sox broadcast team
Chicago Sports Network’s Brooke Fletcher will be joining the on-air team as a reporter throughout 2025. Per MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, she will be a fixture at all home games as well as select road games, doing in-game reporting along with pregame and postgame interviews.
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Featured Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
