The White Sox announced this morning that they’re in agreement with left-hander Sean Newcomb on a one-year deal that guarantees the southpaw $4.5MM this morning. Will Sammon of The Athletic reports that Newcomb “will at least get the chance to start” for Chicago. Lefty Ryan Rolison was designated for assignment to make room for Newcomb on the 40-man roster. Newcomb is a client of Tidal Sports Group.
Newcomb, 32, was a first-round pick by the Angels back in 2012 and spent years as a consensus top-100 prospect in the minors. The lefty made his big league debut with Atlanta back in 2017 after previously coming over as part of the Andrelton Simmons trade. He spent the first two seasons of his career as a rotation piece, with a 4.06 ERA (103 ERA+) and a 4.16 FIP that gave him the look of a decent back-end starter. Unfortunately, in 2019 early season struggles led to him being demoted to Triple-A and moved into a bullpen role upon his return. He started four games for the Braves in 2020 but struggled badly across those starts as well, and ultimately did not start another game for the team before being designated for assignment by the club.
The lefty was traded to the Cubs shortly after his DFA and moved to the bullpen for the club, but struggled to put things together over the next few seasons. He pitched to an atrocious 6.61 ERA in 47 2/3 innings of work at the major league level between the Cubs and A’s over the next three seasons, held back primarily by a whopping 15.0% walk rate. Back in January, Newcomb latched on with the Red Sox on a minor league deal and found a path back to a big league rotation job between a strong performance in Spring Training coupled with injuries to rotation pieces like Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello that kept them off the Opening Day roster.
More to come.
Nice signing for the Pale Hose. They don’t have a lot of LH pitchers at the moment not named Schultz, H Smith and Christian Oppor.
Those guys aren’t going to make an impact this year. Their bullpen has lefties Tyler Gilbert, Brandon Eisert, traded for Chris Murphy, and now Newcomb. Feels like they move Gilbert or Eisert, maybe in a deal with Robert or Sosa
They just dfa Ryan Rollison btw. Gilbert recorded a solid season last year so I feel that Eisert is the odd man out. I’ll give Sosa one more year to see he improves.
Just not a lot of playing time to go around. Also doesn’t really have a position
He does mash tho. Mash potatoe.
Just another over the hill recycled piece
In what universe is this a “nice signing”?
The one we currently exist in. He’s the best LH reliever left on the market at a good price.
Crazy that he couldn’t get a major league deal
Hilarious (if we were still in 2024).
LOL
As the Gloved King of Pop would say as he scans the morning transactions page: hee hee
“Crazy” = not at all crazy
Apparently the Sox are trying to be somewhat competitive.
Newcomb was one of the better LH relievers in the FA market.
Does that say more about the FA market or Newcomb?
Yes sir! I feel like Newcomb didn’t get his respect for his 2025 season. He was obviously better with the A’s, however, He has definitely had some success in the bigs.
Going to need an elite offense, then.
I don’t really understand why the Red Sox dumped him so fast. He was useful.
I wasn’t crazy about that either, but we had a good BP.
Numbers. Plain and simple.
My guess is this was the best contract and/or guarentee of playing time he had on the table. Good chance he reinforces someone’s bullpen come July and would not be shocked at all if he has a decent year. Good pickup for the White Sox.
Yeah, he was filthy for the A’s and if he has a similar showing, can really net a decent prospect come July like you said. This is the kind of move all “non-contending” teams should do. Don’t let that money burn a hole in your pocket. Put it to use in a way that won’t mess up future seasons.
Nukem
Good signing! I’ll be curious to see if there’s more up their slee–er socks(?) this offseason.
This is a different look for the White Sox, apparently they’re trying to improve and not be an embarrassment on the field
Starter or reliever?
RP
IMHO, I would imagine he signed for a rotation tryout, then could transition to RP, if needed. Considering how shallow the LH RP free agent market is, it’s surprising he couldn’t use an excellent ’25 to parlay into a multi-year deal (and/or guaranteed dollars), unless he was willing to sacrifice some (on a less competitive team) for a chance to start — not unlike Soroka/ARZ, which he commented was a reason he turned down better offers from other teams.
Nope. Starter
In 2025, they were 60-102. In 2026, they will be 70-92
Baby’s first steps on the moon. First Neil and Buzz, then before you know it cheesy Roger Moore, Nordic super model and Jaws are hamming it up in space
What rock did he crawl out from under?
Plymouth? Gibraltar? Dwayne Johnson?
Nice-lefty BP arm that has good command. Let’s get a couple more low cost relievers (righties) or promote from AA to join W. Gonzalez….and cut bait with bad relievers of last couple seasons. Bannister and company better start producing some guys who can get 3 outs-he’s not living up to the development hype first 2 years.
Good pickup. And chip they could trade fora prospect at trade deadline
Or they could trade Dale
I’m Perry didn’t sign him. He ATL written all over him
They tried once. He wasn’t cut out to be a starter (couldn’t finish hitters), and that’s what they needed. Took a few years for him to get it together.
Thought the A’s were going to bring Sean back as he was lights out… I guess they have other plans going forward…
Based on the terribly worded first sentence of the article, it sounds like he already received the full salary this morning.
LOL…”leave a bag of cash on at the corner this morning, and we’ll have a deal this morning”.
Maybe he did. X muss bonie
Buena firma.
Sign him if he does good flip him for a prospect in July
Man, White Sox are so active this winter. Could be a decent team next year. Not making the playoffs but could see a few more wins.
Waived by June.