White Sox GM Meetings Notebook: Grant Taylor Headed to Rotation, Hagen Smith Staying in Relief
Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz has clarified two of the team’s biggest pitching questions entering 2027. Grant Taylor is moving into the starting rotation, while Hagen Smith will remain in the bullpen next season.
Getz discussed those decisions during a Monday appearance on SiriusXM MLB Network Radio’s Front Office with Jim Bowden and Jim Duquette. He also addressed Chicago’s offseason plans as the General Manager Meetings got underway in Las Vegas.
Grant Taylor to the Rotation, Hagen Smith Stays in Relief
“Grant Taylor is going to be going into the rotation for us,” Getz said.
Taylor spent much of 2026 working in a multi-inning relief role while building toward a starter’s workload. As James Fegan reported on November 6, the right-hander said his workload progression had gone according to plan, with discussions about his future role expected after the postseason.
Getz expressed excitement about the transition but emphasized that Taylor has not yet established himself as a major league starter. Managing his workload will remain an important consideration as Chicago prepares him for the role.
Smith, meanwhile, will continue pitching out of the bullpen in 2027.
“Next year, Hagen Smith, we’re going to keep in the bullpen,” Getz said.
The organization remains open to eventually transitioning Smith into the rotation. Getz compared that possibility to the approach Chicago previously took with Garrett Crochet and now plans to take with Taylor.
Starting Pitching Remains the Top Priority
Taylor’s move does not change Chicago’s biggest offseason priority.
The White Sox received just 674 2/3 innings from their starters in 2026, the fewest in Major League Baseball. Getz acknowledged that some of the limited workload was intentional, as manager Will Venable frequently relied on openers and multi-inning relievers to maximize a bullpen that had emerged as one of the team’s strengths.
“But we can’t rely on that blueprint again,” Getz said.
As outlined in our November 6 offseason primer, the rotation already figured to be Chicago’s primary area of investment.
Getz reinforced that position Monday, making clear that the club intends to explore starting pitching through both free agency and trades.
He also discussed several internal options. Sean Burke impressed during his first extended opportunity in the rotation, while Davis Martin’s uneven second half leaves additional questions entering 2027. Getz also mentioned Anthony Kay and Noah Schultz, expressing optimism about Schultz’s potential after his first major league experience.
Taylor adds another option, but Chicago still needs greater stability and length from its starters.
Bowden asked whether the White Sox were prepared to pursue pitchers at the high end of the free-agent market, particularly given how close the club came to reaching the American League Championship Series.
Getz did not commit to that level of spending, explaining that the organization is still evaluating the market and what different tiers of starting pitching might cost.
“Sometimes you’ve got to get a little bit more aggressive,” Getz said.
He added that Chicago remains open-minded about its options.
While no specific free-agent target or spending threshold was confirmed, Getz’s comments suggest the White Sox are willing to consider different approaches rather than limit themselves to one segment of the market.
A Right-Handed Outfielder and Changes for Antonacci
Beyond starting pitching, Getz identified a right-handed outfield bat as Chicago’s next priority.
With Randal Grichuk and Tommy Pham reaching free agency, the White Sox have an opportunity to balance an outfield that includes left-handed hitters Tristan Peters and Braden Montgomery.
Getz also discussed Brenton Doyle, praising his defensive ability while acknowledging that his offensive production was inconsistent in 2026. Chicago remains optimistic about Doyle’s power and overall potential.
As James Fegan noted in his GM Meetings preview, a right-handed hitter capable of handling a corner-outfield position would address another area of need.
Sam Antonacci’s role could also factor into the equation.
Getz praised the rookie for learning left field during the season but expressed a preference for using him in the infield more frequently moving forward.
“I think to get him back into the infield a little bit more would be good,” Getz said.
No permanent position change has been announced, but returning Antonacci to the infield more often could create additional opportunities for an outside addition. Montgomery’s continued development is another consideration as Chicago evaluates its corner-outfield options for 2027.
Caleb Bonemer’s Outfield Development Continues
Getz also highlighted Caleb Bonemer’s development following a strong minor league season and an extended look in the Arizona Fall League.
Bonemer made 12 of his 13 Fall League appearances in the outfield, including eight in center, as Chicago continues exploring ways to accommodate his bat alongside its young infielders.
Getz said the organization wants to continue developing Bonemer’s versatility. Although he has yet to reach Triple-A, the White Sox have not ruled out the possibility of Bonemer entering the major league picture when his development warrants it.
“When it’s ready to go, it’s time to go,” Getz said while discussing the organization’s young talent.
Getz also pointed to Braden Montgomery and Colson Montgomery while discussing the importance of giving talented young players opportunities when they are ready.
No specific timetable was provided for Bonemer, but his progress in the outfield gives Chicago another potential option as its roster continues to take shape.
Bullpen Additions and the Looming Lockout
Starting pitching and a right-handed outfielder lead Chicago’s offseason needs, but Getz also acknowledged that bullpen additions remain a possibility.
He placed relief help further down the organization’s priority list, potentially third or fourth.
Taylor’s transition creates another consideration for a bullpen that relied heavily on the right-hander throughout 2026. Smith is expected to remain an important relief option, although Chicago could seek additional depth as it prepares for a more traditional starting rotation.
Hagen Smith totaled 93⅓ innings between Triple-A Charlotte (58⅓), the major league regular season (28) and postseason (seven). An expanded role for Smith could help offset some of Newcomb’s workload if he departs, although Taylor’s transition to the rotation creates additional innings to replace. Miami’s reported interest does not establish ongoing negotiations.
The approaching December 1 expiration of the collective bargaining agreement adds urgency to those decisions.
Getz said the White Sox have been preparing for multiple scenarios and are ready to move quickly if an opportunity emerges.
“If a player is ready to sign, let’s get our ducks in a row and go,” Getz said.
Chicago brought a group of approximately six to eight staff members to Las Vegas, according to Getz. Conversations with other organizations had already begun over the phone, with the meetings providing further opportunities to speak directly with agents and opposing executives.
Getz also suggested the club’s postseason run has changed how prospective acquisitions view the organization.
He pointed to Chicago’s clubhouse chemistry and the enthusiasm surrounding its young roster as factors that could help attract players.
“It’s got a chance to be a real destination,” Getz said.
The White Sox are entering the offseason following their first playoff appearance under Getz, and he believes the team’s improvement has already made conversations with agents more encouraging than in previous years.
Other White Sox Offseason Notes
Several developments outside Getz’s interview are also worth monitoring as the GM Meetings continue.
Rule 5 decisions: The White Sox currently have 39 players on their 40-man roster. In his November 9 FutureSox breakdown, James Fox identified William Bergolla Jr. as the most likely prospect to receive protection before the November 17 deadline. Mathias LaCombe and Jaden Woods are among the other eligible players Chicago must evaluate. Although the major league phase of the Rule 5 Draft was canceled during the previous lockout, clubs have reportedly been warned not to assume the same outcome this winter. Chicago must therefore weigh the possibility of losing an eligible prospect against the cost of occupying a 40-man roster spot.
Sean Newcomb drawing interest: Kevin Barral of Fish On First reports that the Marlins have interest in free-agent left-handers Adrian Morejon, Sean Newcomb, and Alex Vesia. Newcomb recorded a 3.09 ERA across 90⅓ regular-season innings with Chicago in 2026, adding another seven innings during the postseason.
Rookie of the Year voting:Three White Sox received votes in Monday’s American League Rookie of the Year results. Munetaka Murakami finished fourth with 39 points, Tristan Peters placed eighth with 12 and Antonacci received two points. Detroit’s Kevin McGonigle won the award.
Will Venable’s next opportunity: Chicago’s manager is one of three finalists for American League Manager of the Year alongside Tampa Bay’s Kevin Cash and Boston’s Chad Tracy. The winner will be announced Tuesday at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network.
The White Sox have begun answering some of their most important internal roster questions. The next challenge is translating those decisions into outside additions as Getz and his staff work through an unusually compressed offseason.
With the GM Meetings continuing in Las Vegas, Chicago’s conversations with agents and opposing clubs could provide further clarity about the organization’s plans for 2027.
This notebook may be updated as additional developments emerge from the GM Meetings.
