From a transaction standpoint, the MLB offseason had yet to provide much excitement. Behind the scenes, however, White Sox general manager Chris Getz was fielding calls about reliever Aaron Bummer.
Then the Braves made an offer he couldn’t pass up, and the teams made a six-player trade official late Thursday.
‘‘I felt like it was something to act on because it was an opportunity to really help us in multiple different areas and set us up for more opportunities this offseason,’’ Getz said.
The Sox acquired right-hander Mike Soroka, left-hander Jared Shuster, infielders Nicky Lopez and Braden Shewmake and minor-league pitcher Riley Gowens in what Getz called a ‘‘foundational move.’’
“You’re looking at starting-pitching innings, you’re looking at [club] control, you’re looking at improved defense for a pitcher that certainly can help a major-league ballclub in Aaron Bummer,’’ Getz said. ‘‘He’s been productive for us the last couple of years, and I definitely anticipate him being a big part of the Atlanta Braves next year.
‘‘When you look at our team, I think we are further away than just a left-handed reliever from where we need to go. That was very much a driver in the decision.’’
Bummer, 30, was a homegrown talent, drafted by the Sox in 2014. In parts of seven seasons with them, he compiled a 3.84 ERA. He developed into a high-leverage reliever but was hampered by injury in 2022, which was shaping up to be one of his best seasons. In 2023, Bummer posted a 6.79 ERA despite a knack for generating ground balls (60.1% ground-ball rate).
Getz said he expects Soroka and Shuster to compete for spots in the Sox’ starting rotation in the spring.
‘‘I’m fairly confident that one or both will be in our rotation, but we want to create a competitive environment,’’ he said. ‘‘We will acquire more pitching, and certainly we’ve got younger pitching in our system that will be pushing here shortly.’’
Soroka, 26, was an All-Star and the National League Rookie of the Year runner-up in 2019. But he tore his Achilles tendon in August 2020 and missed most of the next two seasons after having surgery. In 2023, he went 4-4 with a 3.41 ERA at Triple-A Gwinnett and made seven major-league appearances (six as a starter) with a 6.40 ERA. Inflammation in his right forearm cut his season short in early September.
Shuster, 25, made his MLB debut in April after the Braves had drafted him in the first round in 2020 (No. 25 overall). In 11 major-league starts, he went 4-3 with a 5.81 ERA.
Lopez’s playing time is a little more up in the air. But depending on how the Sox’ offseason shakes out, he might compete for a starting job in the infield.
‘‘Nicky can certainly provide improved defense, and that’s certainly something we’ve set out to do,’’ Getz said.
Lopez, who was born in Naperville, can play both middle-infield positions and third base. The Braves acquired him from the Royals before the trade deadline this year. Lopez, 28, was hitting .213 at the time, but he fared better after the trade, batting .277 with the Braves.
Shewmake, 25, provides some power from the left side and middle-infield depth. The 2019 first-round pick (No. 21 overall) made his major-league debut in May but logged only four at-bats without a hit. In Triple-A this season, he hit .234 with 16 home runs, 28 doubles and three triples.
Gowens, a University of Illinois alum, was a ninth-round pick in the draft this year and made his pro debut in rookie ball. He finished the season with a pair of appearances at Single-A Augusta, posting a 1.15 ERA in five games (three starts) across both levels.
The Sox still have plenty of work ahead of them this winter. Getz said he expects to ‘‘dabble’’ in the free-agent and trade markets, making it clear the Sox are ‘‘willing to listen on any of our players.’’ He confirmed teams have shown interest in slugger Eloy Jimenez, whom he recently visited in the Dominican Republic.
‘‘He’s off and running with his offseason program,’’ Getz said. ‘‘He looks really good. He looks motivated and determined.’’
