The Atlanta Braves parted ways with starter-turned-reliever Sean Newcomb during the 2022 season, swapping the left-hander for Jessie Chavez from the Chicago Cubs. This got the ball rolling on Newcomb's path to bouncing around the league after helping Atlanta's 2021 World Series run. After leaving the Braves, the veteran has spent time with the Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Oakland Athletics, and Boston Red Sox before hitting free agency at the end of the 2025 season. Newcomb's value finally appeared to stabilize after a solid season split between the Athletics and Red Sox.
Newcomb has a pair of saves and a 1.75 ERA during his time with the Athletics last season. The results were great enough to garner free agent interest as a potential starting option, with the Chicago White Sox signing the left-hander to a one-year, $4 million deal with the intention of giving Newcomb a shot at the rotation. This is a bit of a surprise signing after the veteran hurler appeared to prove he could contribute to a contending roster a season ago.
Chicago is in a relatively hopeless situation, unable to attract free agents and having very little to be excited about in the addition of potential star players. The White Sox lost 102 games last season and were a tough team to stomach as a viewer. Still, this does make a level of sense to join this team on a short-term deal, given the opportunity it provides for the former Atlanta starter.
Former Braves SP Sean Newcomb Signs One-Year Deal with White Sox
Newcomb was a highly thought-of starting prospect at the beginning of his career before inconsistency forced the Braves to move him to the pen. Still, Newcomb is only 32 and has shown solid velocity and the needed pitches to contribute to a rotation. Signing with Chicago has an upside in the sense that he knows he won't be on a short leash, as there is very little pressure or expectations facing the struggling franchise.
The starter can step into a low-pressure environment and attempt to put up numbers that will get him paid at the end of the 2026 season. It is a chance to cash in on free agency and rebuild value with none of the risks. If Newcomb's attempt at joining a rotation fails, the organization can be blamed, and the left-hander will have no problems finding another opportunity in a contending bullpen.
With this in mind, the signing makes sense from the pitcher's perspective and gives Atlanta fans an interesting story to watch in the 2026 season. While it would've been great to see Newcomb back in an Atlanta uniform, the moves made throughout the offseason left little doubt that there wasn't room for a reunion, and Newcomb made a wise decision, setting up a chance to rebuild value as a 2026 starting option.