After a dismal 2023 season where the Chicago White Sox ended with a 61-101 record, the team’s 2024 performance is somehow on track to be even worse. While they haven’t set a new record for most losses in a season, the disappointing results are leading to a significant financial response. According to Bob Nightengale of USA Today, the White Sox plan to cut payroll in 2025 after sustaining substantial revenue losses this year.
Although exact figures on the revenue decline aren’t available, attendance at Guaranteed Rate Field has noticeably dropped. ESPN reports that the White Sox fell from 24th to 27th in average attendance, with a drop from 21,405 to 17,910 fans per game. This marks the fourth-largest decline in the league, trailing only the Mets, Cardinals, and Blue Jays — all of whom still average over 11,000 more attendees per game than the White Sox.
General Manager Chris Getz faces many challenges, but reducing payroll won’t be difficult. Yoán Moncada, the team’s highest-paid player, earns $24.8 million this season, but next year he’ll only receive a $5 million buyout. The contracts of other players like Mike Clevinger, Michael Soroka, and Chris Flexen — each with modest salaries — are set to expire, and the team could also choose to non-tender players such as Nicky Lopez and Andrew Vaughn to save additional funds. While Garrett Crochet is likely due for a raise, Getz might explore trading him this offseason, as he would be a sought-after asset on the trade market.
In addition, the White Sox will be free from several contracts with players no longer in the organization, including Eloy Jiménez, Erick Fedde, and Tim Anderson, among others. RosterResource estimates that the White Sox’s payroll for this season is approximately $148.8 million, but with only $35.3 million committed for 2025, it’s clear that next year’s payroll will be considerably lower unless the team embarks on an unexpected spending spree.
Any significant investments this offseason seem unlikely. Earlier in the month, Getz alluded to a long-term rebuild, hinting at the possibility of several tough seasons ahead. “You try to make the best of it, and I think it’s an opportunity to embrace the situation that we’re in,” Getz said of the team’s disappointing season. In a recent appearance on NBC Sports Chicago, he confirmed that the White Sox won’t be major players in free agency, stating: “We’re not gonna be working heavy in free agency.”
While these decisions might not shock the fanbase, they’re certainly discouraging. White Sox fans have endured several rough seasons in recent years, and it seems the team’s fortunes won’t be improving anytime soon.
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