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Chris Getz has just signed the biggest free agent for Chicago since Andrew Benintendi, with Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami.
After the signing of Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami, the Chicago White Sox remain active on the free agent market. The White Sox have signed left-handed reliever Sean Newcomb to a one-year, $4.5 million contract, according to the team’s social media page.
In a corresponding move, the White Sox have designated left-handed pitcher Ryan Rolison for assignment.
For the White Sox, this is more spending for a team that wasn’t expected to do much this free agency.
Now, the White Sox have signed one of the best left-handed relievers remaining on the market in Newcomb.
According to Will Sammon of The Athletic, Newcomb will get the chance to start.
What Does Newcomb Bring to the Chicago White Sox?
This will be Newcomb’s 10th season in the big leagues. While it’s been a mixed bag for Newcomb over the course of his career, he has had success of late.
Entering his age-33 season, Newcomb still has plenty left in the tank.
Newcomb began the season with the Boston Red Sox before being traded to the Athletics. With the A’s, Newcomb had a 1.75 ERA in 36 games.
In 48 games, including five starts (92.1 innings) during the 2025 season, Newcomb pitched to a 2.73 ERA with 91 strikeouts. After June 18, Newcomb had a 1.15 ERA.
As a reliever, he was great in 2025 with a 2.19 ERA in 43 games.
Among left-handed relievers, Newcomb ranked fifth in the majors in ERA and was tied for seventh in innings pitched, per the team press release.
As a starter, Newcomb struggled in his five starts, pitching just 22.1 innings and having a 4.43 ERA.
Based on these stats, he’d fit strongly in the bullpen, which needs more impact arms anyway.
Newcomb possesses a wide variety of pitches in his repertoire. His four-seam fastball and slurve generate the most swing-and-misses, according to Baseball Savant, with a .232 and .167 expected batting average in 2025.
Newcomb’s Fit With Chicago
With a crowded rotation situation on the south side that includes Shane Smith, Davis Martin, Anthony Kay, Drew Thorpe and many prospects ready to break down the door, Newcomb’s best chance to have impact innings with the team is likely not as a starter.
With a weak bullpen that blew 24 save opportunities, among countless other leads, Newcomb best fits as a reliever.
He can be an innings-eating long reliever for a team that desperately needs fresh bullpen arms. Mike Vasil is currently the only long reliever on the team, but an elite one at that.
The Rule-5 draft pick pitched to a 2.50 ERA  in 101 innings during the 2025 season. Newcomb could potentially fill Vasil’s role for next season as Vasil possibly moves into a high-leverage role.
Despite this signing, there are still more holes to fill in the Chicago bullpen, including the closer role. General Manager Chris Getz must find a quality closer for the White Sox to improve upon a 60-win season and try to exit their rebuild sooner.
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Matthew Singer Matthew Singer is a sports reporter covering MLB for Heavy.com. He has written for Heavy since 2025, and has two years of experience covering local professional, collegiate and high school sports, including writing for Cronkite News and Arizona PBS. More about Matthew Singer
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