​It’s no secret that the Chicago White Sox don’t boast the most reliable bullpen in Major League Baseball. Strengthening the relief corps and equipping it for high-leverage moments remains Chicago’s top priority ahead of the 2026 trade deadline. After watching the past week of White Sox baseball, it’s never been clearer that the bullpen needs a facelift, and that overhaul should begin with some internal roster adjustments. A blown lead on Thursday night gave the Guardians a Brayan Rocchio walk-off homer, followed by Chicago squandering a 3-1 advantage on Friday and losing in extra innings. Although they pulled out a 7-6 win on Sunday, an early 6-3 lead evaporated after the fifth inning. Then Tuesday against the Red Sox, as the White Sox tried to scratch and claw back into the game, a 4-1 deficit ballooned to 8-1 after Brandon Eisert allowed four runs in the ninth.
Eisert allowing runs on Tuesday likely didn’t alter the ultimate outcome, given the Sox offense struggled in the series opener with Boston. If this were a single game, it might not raise alarms, but weeks now have shown the White Sox bullpen unraveling, and there are simply too many pitchers who aren’t getting the job done. Eisert is one of them. Over his last 12 appearances dating back to June 9, he’s allowed 13 earned runs on 14 hits, posting an 8.78 ERA. He carries a 5.93 ERA on the season, and it’s becoming increasingly hard to justify keeping him on the roster, especially when he’s currently the fourth-best left-handed option in a bullpen that already employs multiple lefties.
I understand Will Venable’s preference for maintaining three lefties in the bullpen, but four feels excessive, particularly if one of them hasn’t been productive. Eisert’s roster spot could be replaced by one of the incoming trade acquisitions the White Sox are expected to pursue. Yet Chicago might not want to wait that long. The trade deadline is still almost four weeks away, so if a move could help win games now, it should be pursued. It may also be time to give another minor leaguer an opportunity.
One option could be Garrett Schoenle, a 28-year-old left-hander who has posted a 2.20 ERA with a 1.07 WHIP over 32.2 innings for the Charlotte Knights this season. Schoenle has been effective over his last three minor league campaigns and could merit a chance if the White Sox want to keep a fourth left-hander in the bullpen and see a fresh face in action. Another potential option is Jairo Iriarte, one of the prospects acquired from the San Diego Padres in the Dylan Cease deal. Iriarte, who made his major league debut in 2024, has enjoyed a revival in the minors this season, posting a 2.38 ERA across 28 appearances between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte, suggesting he could contribute at the major league level if given an opportunity.
As the White Sox assess their bullpen and explore possible moves, the emphasis remains on shoring up a relief corps that has shown volatility in high-leverage spots. With a deadline still several weeks away, Chicago has the chance to act pragmatically—whether through internal promotions, shuffling roles, or integrating a promising minor league arm to inject a much-needed spark. The window to improve the bullpen and stabilize late-inning performance is open, and the club will likely pursue options that deliver immediate impact while keeping an eye on long-term depth.