As the White Sox turn the page to 2025, they must decide whether several players should stay or go for next season. MLBTradeRumors recently published an article listing all arbitration-eligible players and their projected salaries for 2025. The White Sox have nine such players that fall into this category.
Nicky Lopez
Nicky Lopez is the White Sox player with the most MLB service time and projects to earn roughly $5.1 million via arbitration next season. The light-hitting infielder performed as advertised in 2024. He did not provide much of anything with the bat but was a quality defender at second base, the type of player he has been historically. Unfortunately for him, there is no reason for the White Sox to spend over $5 million on a light-hitting infielder who will turn 30 in March. He is an easy choice to non-tender and part ways with.
Matt Foster
Matt Foster has dealt with many injury issues in recent seasons. Tommy John surgery sidelined the 29-year-old right-handed reliever for the entire 2023 season, and he only made six appearances for the White Sox in 2024. He also made 17 appearances in AAA this season, striking out well over a batter an inning. His projected arbitration salary is only $900,000, so he should be tendered a contract and brought back. There is minimal risk at such a low salary, and he could factor into the bullpen competition during spring training.
Garrett Crochet
Garrett Crochet is projected to earn $2.9 million through arbitration and is by far the most obvious decision of this whole group. He had a breakout season in 2024, making the All-Star team and becoming one of the best pitchers in the American League. The White Sox will obviously tender him and then look to trade him, as his affordable salary over the next two seasons is a big reason why he has so much trade value.
Enyel De Los Santos
Enyel De Los Santos is an interesting case. The 28-year-old right-handed reliever pitched for three teams including the White Sox in 2024, but was not particularly good anywhere. However, he has a track record of being a productive MLB reliever and projects to earn just $1.7 million next season. He should be tendered a contract and allowed to compete for a spot in the 2025 bullpen.
Andrew Vaughn
Andrew Vaughn is the most expensive and polarizing player on this list. He projects to earn $6.4 million through arbitration next season. While Sox fans can agree he has not lived up to expectations, opinions vary on what they should do here. Vaughn started the 2024 season terribly but gradually got better as time passed. The reality is that the White Sox will likely not sign any free agents this offseason that would be a substantial upgrade over Vaughn. Tendering him a contract for 2025 and then re-evaluating at this time next year is likely the move.
Justin Anderson
Justin Anderson made 56 appearances for the 2024 White Sox. While he was not great, he proved to be durable and has good stuff, as evidenced by his 57 strikeouts in 53.1 innings. At a projected salary of just $1.1 million for 2025, Anderson is another bullpen arm who could factor into the competition in spring training and is worth tendering a contract to.
Jimmy Lambert
Jimmy Lambert did not pitch for the White Sox in 2024 due to injuries. Shoulder problems kept him out at the beginning of the season, and he eventually had season-ending shoulder surgery in late August of this year. While his projected $1.2 million salary is not much for an MLB team, Lambert should be non-tendered. He likely will not be healthy enough to pitch for most of next season and the White Sox could better allocate that money elsewhere.
Gavin Sheets
Gavin Sheets projects to earn $2.6 million via arbitration in 2025. While he has shown flashes of being productive, the 28-year-old struggled mightily in 2024. He hit just ten home runs in 139 games and was 10% worse than the league average hitter per OPS+. For a guy whose value comes almost exclusively from his bat, these numbers will not cut it. He should be non-tendered. The team should give his at-bats to the younger and cheaper Tim Elko, who looked good in AAA to end the season.
Steven Wilson
Steven Wilson came to Chicago as part of the Dylan Cease trade. Unfortunately, his first season in Chicago did not go well. His ERA was well over 5.50, and he walked more batters than ever. However, his projected arbitration salary is just $1 million. He falls into a similar category as De Los Santos in that their arbitration projections are pennies for an MLB team, and they both have track records of being productive relievers. Wilson should be tendered and given a chance to redeem himself in 2025.
Summary
Tender: Foster, Crochet, De Los Santos, Vaughn, Anderson, and Wilson.
Non-Tender: Lopez, Lambert, and Sheets.
The White Sox have many decisions to make. From the front office to the manager to the coaching staff to the roster, this offseason will be pivotal in creating an outlook for the team’s future.
The Sox near future in a word — bleak
Vaughn was the #3 pick of the entire draft and he has underwhelmed compared to #1 Rutschman and #2 Witt Jr and even #5 Riley Greene. I’d let him go, maybe he’ll salvage his career somewhere else. The Sox need as much of a complete reset as possible, although I have very little faith in Reinsturd or Getz bringing in anyone next year that will be an improvement over the guys we should flush today.