In a surprising turn of events, the Chicago White Sox have reached an agreement with LaMonte Wade Jr., a player known for his versatility as both a first baseman and corner outfielder. According to Jon Heyman from The New York Post, this deal involves a minor league contract that allows Wade, who is represented by Covenant Sports Group, to join the MLB camp as a non-roster invitee.
Wade brings with him a wealth of experience, having played parts of seven seasons in Major League Baseball. In recent years, he has primarily served as the main first baseman for the San Francisco Giants, particularly when facing right-handed pitchers. His performance had been promising as recently as 2024, where he recorded a solid batting average of .260 along with an on-base percentage of .380 and a slugging percentage of .381 over 401 plate appearances. This marked his second consecutive year showcasing impressive on-base statistics in a platoon role, resulting in a combined line of .258/.376/.401 for the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Notably, among players with over 800 plate appearances during that timeframe, Wade was ranked 11th in on-base percentage—a testament to his capabilities at the plate.
However, Wade’s fortunes took a downturn last season. He struggled significantly, finishing with a dismal .167 batting average and a .275 on-base percentage across 50 games with the Giants. In response to his declining performance, the team made moves to bolster their lineup by acquiring Rafael Devers for the designated hitter role and later signing Dominic Smith to take over first base duties. Consequently, Wade found himself designated for assignment, marking a challenging chapter in his career.
Seeking a fresh start, the Los Angeles Angels took a chance on Wade after he was designated for assignment, trading for him in hopes of revitalizing his performance. However, his stint with the Angels didn’t yield positive results either; he played in just 30 games over two months, struggling to a batting line of .169/.260/.215 before being released in August. Ultimately, Wade’s season concluded with disappointing numbers: a .167 average, a .271 on-base percentage, and a .254 slugging percentage over 242 plate appearances. Clearly, such statistics are not what teams look for, but the White Sox's decision to bring him in during spring training carries minimal risk, allowing them to evaluate whether an offseason could help him regain his form.
Looking ahead, Munetaka Murakami is expected to take on the everyday responsibilities at first base. Meanwhile, the designated hitter position will likely be shared between promising young catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero. Given that the White Sox are in a rebuilding phase, it’s unlikely that the 32-year-old Wade will be rushed into the lineup at the expense of their younger talents. However, he might still secure a role as a left-handed bat in an otherwise right-heavy bench. Additionally, there’s an open competition for playing time in right field, though General Manager Chris Getz has hinted at the possibility of acquiring another outfielder following the recent trade of Luis Robert Jr.
