The Chicago White Sox have been desperate for left-handed power bats. While they have already signed Japanese phenom Munetaka Murakami to a short-term deal, that doesn’t mean they’re done adding.
The White Sox signed first baseman and outfielder LaMonte Wade Jr. to a minor league deal with a camp invite, according to Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
For Chicago, this is a depth move that is low-risk, high-reward.
Wade Jr. has 55 career home runs in seven seasons between the Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants and Los Angeles Angels. However, that comes in just 560 career games (1907 plate appearances).
What Does Wade Jr. Bring to the Chicago White Sox?
A former ninth-round pick out of the University of Maryland by Minnesota in 2015, Wade Jr. made his debut late.
His stint with the Twins would prove to be short, as he would only last 42 games across two seasons. He was subsequently traded to San Francisco, where he would shine.
In his first season with the Giants, 2021, Wade Jr. would hit 18 home runs in 109 games with an .808 OPS. In that season, he would receive down-ballot MVP votes. His next season was less successful.
In 77 games, Wade Jr. would hit just eight home runs with a .665 OPS. During the 2023 season, Wade Jr. would bounce back, hitting 17 home runs with a .790 OPS.
In 2024, he would hit a career-high .260, but would struggle in the power department to a .761 OPS.
But in 2025, the wheels would fully fall off, as he struggled to a .524 OPS with a .167 average. He was traded to Los Angeles for a player to be named later and struggled in Anaheim as well.
While Wade Jr. had nice pop in the beginning of his career, that has long since passed. He has elite plate discipline, per Baseball Savant. However, his defense has also taken a major step back. In 2025, Wade Jr. had -5 Outs Above Average.
His speed has also taken a major hit, dropping to the 17th percentile.
How Does Wade Jr. Fit in Chicago?
With this being a minor league signing, Wade Jr. is more of a depth move for the minor leagues.
With Murakami slated to play first in 2026, he shouldn’t get many opportunities, if any. Murakami has barely missed time in his career due to injury, playing 140+ NPB games in five of his eight seasons in Japan. For reference, there are 143 games in an NPB season.
However, if Murakami suffers an injury, Lenyn Sosa, Miguel Vargas or Curtis Mead can step in at first.
Wade Jr. has the opportunity to be the Triple-A starting first baseman after Tim Elko underwent ACL surgery in October.
If he can find his way back to even his 2024 form, it will have been a successful deal in the eyes of general manager Chris Getz.
White Sox Add 55 Career Home Run First Baseman: Report