Most of us feared the worst when it came to a first Chris Getz trade deadline as a buyer, but even nonbelievers in the GM can agree that his work this August helped the White Sox more than it hurt. But now, let’s dig down into the three major moves the White Sox made to load up for a playoff run.
RHSP Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners for RHRP Seranthony Domínguez, Triple-A OF Nolan Jones and Double-A C Boston Smith The first major move of GM Chris Getz’s 2026 deadline was a bit of a yawner.
No doubt, snagging Castillo helps fill the most pressing need for the White Sox, starting pitching. But the 2026 version of Castillo has been horrific, worse even than an arm in Domínguez the entire fan base seemed so desperate to drop. Plus, Castillo’s 2026-27 salary will hamstring the White Sox going forward if the club continues to operate with the budget of a Triple-A team. If Castillo flounders and best-in-system catching prospect Smith continues to mash, this swap could be disastrous. Grade: C
Acquire RHRP Huascar Brazobán from the New York Mets for RHSP Gabe Davis and RHRP Zach Franklin
An absolute masterstroke of a minor deal that could pay huge dividends, beyond 2026. Brazobán is young by MLB standards but ancient (36 years old) for a pitcher who is controllable for the rest of this decade. He’s a little wild but allows hits like Jerry Reinsdorf hands out nine-figure contracts. At worst, he’s an upgrade of the departed Seranthony Domínguez, at 10% of the price. Franklin will see some time with the Mets, probably immediately, as he’s been a pro long enough to be Rule 5 draft-eligible next winter, while Davis projects long-term as a relief arm.
Grade: A
Acquire CF Brenton Doyle from the Colorado Rockies for Triple-A RHSP Mason Adams and DSL INF Carlos Vielma
So, now we have a bad trade, for a defensive replacement CF who may even have lost his defensive edge for a likely MLB starter in Adams (SSS preseason No. 10 prospect, holding a 4.25 ERA with the Knights as he battles back from TJS) and definition of a lottery ticket with DSL masher Vielma. Doyle was outstanding in 2024 but has seen his road to stardom severely sidelined since, including a demotion back to Triple-A in May. Think I’m being harsh? The estimable Michael Baumann at FanGraphs seems to agree, albeit politely.
Grade: D
Acquire C Joey Bart from Atlanta for Triple-A (and DFA’d) RHRP Duncan Davitt
So, this is the catcher? Like in the deal below for Doyle, Bart was last any good two years ago, in 2024. A massive disappointment as a No. 2 overall pick (2018), Bart now joins his fourth organization in four years. He can’t much throw (18.5% CS rate, 4% worse than league average, Drew Romo is league average and Edgar Quero well better) and can’t much hit (.680 OPS, which to be fair makes him a king on the White Sox roster). Davitt? Eh, whatever, he has not been good. When you’re trading a DFA for a rostered player, well, you cannot expect anything special. And that certainly is what Bart is: nothing special.
Grade: Advance to second, defensive indifference
Overall
Getz succeeded in securing rotation help (although minor, and not enough) as bullpen aid, but largely let Chicago’s morbid catching situation fester. At the same time, he depleted possible rotation help from the minors in the form of Mason Adams in an unnecessary deal for Brenton Doyle.
Grade: C+
How will all of these White Sox moves affect their odds of winning the division, pennant or World Series? We are not the experts in that category, but FanDuel is, so stop by their site to find out!
