In a strategic move to strengthen their bullpen, the Chicago White Sox have secured left-handed pitcher Sean Newcomb on a one-year contract. The deal, officially announced by the club, is valued at $4.5 million for the upcoming season.
Contract Details and Roster Impact
To accommodate Newcomb on their 40-man roster, the White Sox made a corresponding move. They designated fellow left-hander Ryan Rolison for assignment. Rolison, 28, had only joined the organization earlier this month after being claimed off waivers from the Atlanta Braves. Newcomb, represented by Tidal Sports Group, marks another adjustment to a White Sox pitching staff that has seen considerable activity this offseason.
Newcomb's Resurgent 2025 Season
The 32-year-old Newcomb is coming off one of the most effective campaigns of his career in 2025. He split the season between the Boston Red Sox and the Oakland Athletics, appearing in a total of 48 games with five starts. His final line was impressive: a 2.73 ERA over 92.1 innings pitched, with 91 strikeouts and two saves.
His performance was particularly dominant in a relief role. Working out of the bullpen, Newcomb posted a stellar 2.19 ERA across 70 innings. He began the year with Boston on a minor league contract but seized an opportunity in the rotation following injuries to starters like Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello. After a trade to Oakland in May, he excelled as a multi-inning reliever, recording a 1.75 ERA in 36 appearances for the Athletics before a late-season elbow issue halted his season.
Career Trajectory and White Sox Strategy
A former first-round pick by the Los Angeles Angels in 2014, Sean Newcomb made his MLB debut with the Atlanta Braves in 2017. He showed initial promise as a starter but later transitioned to the bullpen, with stops at the Chicago Cubs and Oakland. His 2025 breakout was fueled by improved command and a diverse arsenal of pitches, including a four-seam fastball, slurve, sinker, cutter, changeup, and curveball.
This signing aligns with General Manager Chris Getz's apparent strategy of adding experienced, value-driven talent to the roster, following the high-profile acquisition of Japanese star Munetaka Murakami. Newcomb adds a reliable left-handed option to a relief corps that includes Tyler Gilbert, Brandon Eisert, and Chris Murphy. For a White Sox team aiming to rebuild and compete in the AL Central by 2026, adding a versatile arm like Newcomb's could be a significant step.
