White Sox general manager Chris Getz was beaming when he met the media Monday after the trade deadline. Still, he was a bit tired.
“Feel like I’ve gone through a day-night doubleheader myself,” he said.
Maybe three of them, because Getz made his biggest move Saturday night when he acquired right-hander Luis Castillo from the Mariners. He got an early start on deadline day, trading for Mets right-handed reliever Huascar Brazoban while most of Chicago was sleeping. In the daytime, he got two-time Gold Glove center fielder Brenton Doyle and Braves catcher Joey Bart.
Getz achieved all of his goals before the deadline without giving up a prospect ranked in the top 100. He added a starting pitcher to help a rotation in need of length, a quality reliever, a right-handed bat for an outfield short on depth and a catcher. Yes, just a catcher.
But Getz achieving his goals doesn’t mean the Sox will achieve theirs. The moves have to work. Here’s what they mean:
Bullpen
Brazoban is in only his fifth major-league season, but he’s no spring chicken — he’s 36. Still, Getz raved about his performance in the World Baseball Classic, where he struck out seven in four innings of relief for the Dominican Republic. He continued that success with the Mets, posting a 2.56 ERA in 52⅔ innings with 49 strikeouts and 23 walks.
The Sox’ pen has been very good of late. Entering Monday, its 3.78 ERA and .229 opponent batting average ranked seventh in the majors, and the unit led all pens with 491 strikeouts. But it also ranked second with 502 innings, and Brazoban’s innings already rank third on the Sox. If he delivers, though, he could spell top relievers Sean Newcomb and Grant Taylor.
“He takes the ball, has a great attitude,” Getz said. “Everyone I’ve talked to, they’re like, he’s going to fit right in. Older guy, but he does have control. He’ll be able to pitch in leverage moments. Just an exciting get for us.”
Catcher
The Sox have abled bodies manning the position. Bart will play for his third team this season after starting with the Pirates and moving to the Braves. He was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, but he hasn’t lived up to the billing. This season, he’s slashing .226/.303/.377 with four home runs in 41 games overall.
But that’s still more offense than the Sox have gotten from their catchers. Reese McGuire (no long with the team), Edgar Quero, Drew Romo and Kyle Teel have combined for a major-league low .504 OPS. The next-closest team is the Yankees at .556.
Quero drew the short straw and was optioned to Triple-A Charlotte. So it’s Bart and Romo until Teel returns from a high ankle sprain, which the Sox are banking on.
“We’re confident he’ll be back this season,” Getz said. “Kyle provides a lot, and we look forward to that time. In the meantime, we feel like we’ve got a catching group now that is only improved. And when Kyle comes back, it’s going to be another move.”
Center field
Since returning from the break, All-Star Tristan Peters has a slash line of .098/.190/.118. Getz anticipates a platoon with the left-handed-hitting Peters and the right-handed Doyle, but he’ll leave that up to manager Will Venable. However they’re used, offense still might be an issue.
Doyle is slashing .214/.287/.282 with one home run in 45 games this season. He returned Friday from an oblique injury that cost him two months. His best season was in 2024, when he hit 23 homers, stole 30 bases and had an OPS+ of 102. Getz thinks the Sox can help Doyle, who’s under club control through 2029.
“We see some offensive potential that hasn’t been tapped into recently,” Getz said. “Injuries are behind him. Our projections [say] if Brent Doyle comes to the White Sox, we’re going to add wins not only in 2026 but in 2027.”
Rotation
Castillo will make his Sox debut Thursday in Boston, giving the Sox four quality starters with Anthony Kay, Davis Martin and Sean Burke. As for the fifth spot, the Sox remain committed to rookie left-hander Noah Schultz. The question is for how long. The Sox are mindful that Schultz is close to his career high in innings, but Getz likes what he sees.
“He can get really good lineups out,” Getz said. “You feel good when he’s starting. He’s still learning the major leagues. He does seem to be trending in a direction where he can be an impactful major-league starter. We’ve got some options if we need to give him a break.”
Those include Triple-A starters David Sandlin, Shane Smith and José Urquidy and the Sox’ Erick Fedde, who moved to the bullpen upon Castillo’s arrival. For now, though, Schultz is No. 5.
“We want to protect Noah Schultz just because of what he brings to this organization,” Getz said. “More than anything, when you bring in a Castillo, he gives us a little more breathing room and the ability to be creative with the group that we have.”
Sox at the trade deadline
COMING
C Joey Bart (Braves)
RHP Huascar Brazoban (Mets)
RHP Luis Castillo (Mariners)
OF Brenton Doyle (Rockies)
GOING
*RHP Mason Adams (Rockies)
*RHP Gabe Davis (Mets)
*RHP Duncan Davitt (Braves)
RHP Seranthony Domínguez (Mariners)
*RHP Zach Franklin (Mets)
*OF Nolan Jones (Mariners)
OF Everson Pereira (DFA)
C Edgar Quero (Triple-A Charlotte)
*C Boston Smith (Mariners)
*INF Carlos Vielma (Rockies)
*minor-league player
On deck
WHITE SOX AT RED SOX
Tuesday: Davis Martin (9-5, 3.62 ERA) vs. TBD, 6:10 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.
Wednesday: Sean Burke (7-5, 3.04) vs. TBD, 6:10 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.
Thursday: Luis Castillo (3-9, 5.06) vs. TBD, 6:10 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.