The Smart Trade Strategy Chris Getz Needs to Make This Offseason

Following the Milwaukee Brewers’ triumph at the World Series, the offseason is now in full swing for the Chicago White Sox. In the coming days, the focus will be on adding talent to the roster and balancing the lineup for the 2027 season. However, given the franchise’s surplus of position-player prospects, it would be ideal for General Manager Chris Getz to trade some of them for a starting pitcher and a talented outfielder who can boost the current team. Of course, some Sox fans would not like the idea of trading talents who could flourish in another organization, but the major point is the South Siders will be bringing in already-made players.

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Nov 8, 2024; Chicago, Ill, USA; New Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable (R) poses for a photo with general manager Chris Getz (R) during a press conference at Guaranteed Rate Field. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images

‎Also, sometimes prospects don’t turn out to be successful players in the future. They might have the talent and all that it takes to produce the best, but the intense nature of Major League Baseball could make things go wrong. Right now, the White Sox already have a solid group of young infielders, including Colson Montgomery. Meanwhile, Billy Carlson, a 2025 first-round draft pick with elite defensive skills and a good hitter at the plate, plays the same position. Recently, White Sox’s prospect Caleb Bonemer shifted to the outfield in the minors so that he could easily transition to the majors in that position, as the South Side already has too many infielders on their roster.

Two Prospects Chris Getz Could Trade for a Starter

There have been rumors that the White Sox would trade two prospects, Billy Carlson and George Wolkow, for a starting pitcher. Carson was the tenth overall pick in the 2025 draft and has undeniable talent. He got more than a $6 million signing bonus as a high schooler, with some scouts describing him as one of the best defensive shortstops ever seen at that age. MLB Pipeline had him as the No. 7 prospect in the draft, and in high school, the right-hander hit six homers, drove in 34, swiping nine bags, and posting a 1.164 OPS in 31 games.

‎The major reason the White Sox bet on Carlson was that at 6’1 and 185 pounds, he swings clean from the right side at the plate. However, some analysts still doubt the power will ever really show up in the major leagues. On the other hand, the White Sox drafted Wolkow in 2023, and they knew he was going to be a hit in the minors. They took him in the seventh round but paid him third-round money, demonstrating how much they believe in his talent.

But the story of Wolkow so far has been that he’s a big hitter with a lot of strikeouts, and 2026 was no exception. In 123 games at High-A Winston-Salem, he hit 22 home runs and drove in 100 RBIs. That proves Wolkow can hit big and be a good baserunner, but he struck out 179 times. Can the White Sox bank on the 20-year-old to get the needed adjustment on the plate and turn out to become a good player? The answer is yes. But it has an upside to it, as the risk is greater than the current reward.

Why Trade Carlson and Wolkow For Already-Made Players?

The reality of the White Sox front office is that Jerry Reinsdorf would never back them fully enough financially to get what the team needs. So, Getz needs to look for ways to get the talent the team needs to become a powerhouse in the American League. Chicago made a major leap forward in 2026 and cannot rely only on that to push the team forward.

This season, the bulk of the team’s ceiling was placed on young shoulders like Munetaka Murakami, Sean Burke, and Miguel Vargas, but that shouldn’t be for a team aiming for the World Series. It needs experienced mid-rotation starters like Shane McClanahan (Tampa Bay Rays) and Reid Detmers (Los Angeles Angels) to build a safety net around the young players.

‎However, the thought of trading Carlson and Wolkow this offseason presents an interesting dilemma for the Sox front office. One had, both players put up respectable numbers in the minors, and their offensive potential and quality defense production make them vital in the coming years for the organization. Yet, at the same time, trading them soon could ultimately prove to be selling low on his talent if Carlson and Wolkow add some power in their game next season. If White Sox do hold them, they might start showing up at the plate, and their prospects’ stock could rise considerably and make them valuable trade chips down the road.

‎‎Nevertheless, taking risks has to be the top priority of the White Sox front office. It needs to add top players. Pour gasoline on the fire it raised in the 2026 season. Bring in proven veteran talent and All-Star-caliber pitching, even if that means trading prospects. It may take three or four prospects to get a starting pitcher in today’s trade market, but it’s never a bad idea. The goal of the organization is to improve and get better, while maintaining its depth and developing young talent to earn their spots rather than having them handed to them.

Main Photo: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

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