White Sox Reshape Roster with Notable Additions and DFA Decisions

Two Brandons join the White Sox as Eisert and Drury arrive, while one of two DFA’d players—Zach DeLoach—returns to Charlotte, and Steven Wilson departs.

Apr 23, 2024; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Alex Kirilloff (19), catcher Ryan Jeffers (27), outfielder Byron Buxton (25) celebrate Kirloff’s walk off single that scored outfielder Austin Martin (82) as Chicago White Sox pitcher Steven Wilson (36) walks off the mound at Target Field.

The Chicago White Sox were busy Friday as they gear up for spring training. The club added three players, designated one for assignment and outrighted another to AAA Charlotte. Chicago set a franchise record in 2024 with 70 players in camp, and they could be approaching that number again.

On Monday, the White Sox claimed former infielder Jacob Amaya off of waivers and designated outfielder Zach DeLoach for assignment. Today, Deloach was outrighted to AAA Charlotte after clearing waivers. The White Sox acquired DeLoach last year during the off-season in the Gregory Santos trade with the Seattle Mariners. He made his major league debut and struggled in 75 plate appearances.

Chicago acquired left-handed relief pitcher Brandon Eisert from the Tampa Bay Rays in another waiver claim. Eisert struck out 11.1 hitters per nine innings with a 3.86 ERA in Triple-A last year. In a corresponding move, the White Sox designated reliever Steven Wilson for assignment to make room for Eisert. Wilson joined the club in the 2024 off-season when San Diego shipped him to Chicago in the Dylan Cease trade. Wilson made two trips to the injured list and performed poorly overall. The White Sox tendered him a contract in the offseason after the righty reached his first year of arbitration.

Two Long Shots

Eisert and Amaya will be in camp as members of the 40-man roster but will have plenty of competition. The Pale Hose signed two additional players to minor-league deals. Tristan Gray and Brandon Drury will try to earn their way onto Chicago’s 40-man roster with a strong showing in the Cactus League.

The 32-year-old Drury produced 5.7 fWAR over 2022 and 2023 but played in only 97 games last season and struggled. He produced an abysmal 35 OPS+ with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and battled a hamstring injury that played a small part in his struggles.

Gray is a 28-year-old career minor-league infielder who made his MLB debut in 2023 with the Rays. He appeared in 15 games with the Miami Marlins and Oakland Athletics in 2024. Gray spent most of 2024 with the Miami Marlins Triple-A affiliate in Jacksonville, where he OPS’d .777 in 112 games.

What’s On Tap Next?

The White Sox had a good look at Amaya last season in a limited time and like what he brings defensively enough to give him an opportunity. There is little risk in kicking the tires on Brandon Drury, who they hope has put his injury issues behind him. Chicago already has a gluttony of middle infielders, so Drury must find his way into the outfield mix. Conversely, Gray is highly unlikely to make the team and is a candidate to spend his time in 2025 at AAA Charlotte if he can’t find better options.

Eisert spent most of 2024 in the minors, and while his numbers looked decent, his addition is curious.

Chris Getz designated Steven Wilson, part of the Dylan Cease trade, for assignment. Zach DeLoach, who cleared waivers, was part of the Gregory Santos trade. Two have already become DFA candidates one year roughly after both of these trades, which returned six players and a draft pick, which Chicago used to select Blake Larson. Hopefully, this trend will end here.