5 blockbuster moves the White Sox must make this offseason ft. trading for Bo Bichette

The Chicago White Sox head into the next season looking to turn things around after a disappointing 2024 campaign. With nowhere to go but up, the need to improve has become more apparent than ever.

Here are five blockbuster moves the White Sox must make this offseason to lay the groundwork for a turnaround in 2025 and beyond.

5 blockbuster moves the White Sox must make this offseason

#5 Sign Pete Alonso

The White Sox need hitting as they were dead last in the Majors with 133 home runs last season. Adding a bat like Pete Alonso’s adds 30 to 40 home runs to last year’s total. Chicago will also get an above-average fielding first baseman.

Moreover, Alonso could slot in at DH when needed, providing the Sox with flexibility. While a multi-year deal would likely get the deal done, Chicago can afford to take a shot on a long-term deal for a slugger like Alonso.

#4 Pursue Alex Bregman

If the Sox can’t sign Alonso, they can back up the Brinks truck for Alex Bregman. Like Alonso, Bregman instantly upgrades Chicago's batting order while shoring up the left side of the infield.

While Bregman won’t come cheap, it likely won't matter as the Sox don’t have massive contracts chewing up the payroll. They can afford to splurge on a cornerstone player with plenty of thread left on his tires.

#3 Sign Jack Flaherty

The White Sox also need pitching. So why not pursue Jack Flaherty? While he isn’t a top-of-the-rotation arm, he can easily stabilize last year’s staff. Chicago was 28th in the Majors with a 4.67 ERA. Flaherty easily tops that, while providing at least 25 starts next season.

The cost wouldn’t be astronomical, making Flaherty a surprisingly affordable option and the club could still pursue other arms. Landing Flaherty would be a good start, especially after dealing Garrett Crochet to Boston.

#2 Land Justin Verlander

While Justin Verlander is already 42 years old, he’s still a high-end starter who can instantly upgrade the Sox’s middle-of-the-pack strikeout total. Chicago was 17th in the league with 1,366 K’s.

In an injury-shortened season last year, Verlander struck out 74 batters in 98 innings. That strikeout rate is something the ChiSox desperately needs even if it comes from a 42-year-old pitcher.

#1 Trade for Bo Bichette

The Toronto Blue Jays find themselves in a quandary regarding their two young stars, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. and Bo Bichette.

The Blue Jays need to re-sign both players as they are set for free agency at the end of the season. While there’s a chance they will re-sign both, there’s also the possibility the club could trade one or both.

The likeliest trade candidate seems like Bichette after having a relatively down season last year. Adding Bichette to the White Sox’s lineup gives the team someone to build around. Adding one of Pete Alonso or Alex Bregman will instantly put Chicago in a position to assemble a core that could potentially contend at some point soon.

Trading for Bichette may not be nearly as expensive as initially thought. The Sox could pry Bichette away for draft picks and prospects, giving them a real shot at improving over last season’s 41 wins.