Ongoing White Sox phenomenon should have Brewers’ front office flattered

Many often shorten the following famous Oscar Wilde quote, but when it's communicated in its entirety, "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery that mediocrity can pay greatness" applies even more directly to a strange phenomenon that continues to persist on the South Side of Chicago. Over the last two seasons, the Chicago White Sox have consistently claimed players whom the Milwaukee Brewers have cast off.

To some extent, this trend began back in 2024, when, after the Brewers designated him for assignment, and the Los Angeles Dodgers did too not long after, Gus Varland was claimed by the White Sox and added to their bullpen. However, it wasn't until the 2025 season when this seemingly innocuous trend became an undeniable reality.

In December of 2024, the White Sox kicked off the Rule 5 Draft by selecting right-handed pitcher Shane Smith from the Brewers' organization. Milwaukee left Smith unprotected by not handing him a 40-man roster spot prior to the Rule 5 Draft, and the White Sox, certainly aware of the Brewers' reputation for having strong starting pitchers in their farm system, quickly scooped him up. Smith went on to become an All-Star and was recently named Chicago's 2026 Opening Day starter, meaning the Brewers will face their former farmhand when the regular season kicks off on Thursday afternoon.

So Varland and Smith were a part of the White Sox' pitching staff to start the year. Crazier things have certainly happened. But then came the regular season, and with it, as is always the case, a string of DFAs from the Brewers. In mid-May, the Brewers designated infielder Vinny Capra for assignment, and soon after, the White Sox claimed him from waivers. Just a few days later, after being released from the Texas Rangers' organization, Adrian Houser was signed to a major league deal by the White Sox and immediately joined Chicago's rotation. Then, in early June, the Brewers released Tyler Alexander, and he too joined the White Sox pitching staff.

A week after Alexander signed with the White Sox, Milwaukee executed the Aaron Civale-Andrew Vaughn swap, which sent yet another former Brewers pitcher down to Chicago. But the real nail in the coffin came at the 2025 trade deadline. To make room for their recent trade acquisitions, the Brewers designated Bryan Hudson and Elvis Peguero for assignment, and within days, the White Sox had claimed BOTH relievers and added them to their 40-man roster.

Now, it appears as if this flattering trend for Milwaukee's front office is continuing into the 2026 season, as the White Sox are already adding recently released Brewers to their roster before Opening Day even arrives.

White Sox continue to claim recently released Brewers after agreeing to a one-year contract with catcher Reese McGuire

Over the weekend, the Brewers released veteran catcher Reese McGuire, whom they signed to a minor league deal in late January. Without a spot on the Brewers' Opening Day roster, McGuire exercised the opt-out clause included in his contract, which allowed him to search for a better opportunity elsewhere. He found it in the form of a guaranteed $1.2 million major league contract with the White Sox, who are now likely to carry the left-handed backstop on their Opening Day roster.

McGuire was an interesting signing for the Brewers -- he's never lived up to his potential, but maintains a great deal of raw power that he displayed, to some degree, with the Chicago Cubs last year. However, with Gary Sánchez on a major league deal and top prospect Jeferson Quero nearing his MLB debut, McGuire was squeezed out of a roster spot in Milwaukee.

Ironically, the Brewers will likely see McGuire this weekend, as they open the regular season with a three-game home series against the White Sox. Though many of the ex-Brewers that Chicago claimed last year are no longer on their roster, Milwaukee will see McGuire and Smith this weekend, and will barely miss out on a matchup against Erick Fedde, who briefly pitched for the Brewers last year and is scheduled to make his 2026 debut for the White Sox next Tuesday.

It's no doubt an odd trend, but there is one detail that makes it all make some sense. Chicago's current bench coach is former Brewers' run prevention coordinator Walker McKinven. As a member of the Brewers' coaching staff from 2020-2024, McKinven not only has familiarity with players like Houser, Civale, Peguero, and Hudson, but his philosophy when it comes to pitching acquisitions is likely similar to the one the Brewers still hold. Therefore, while this phenomenon appears strange and almost comical on the surface, McKinven's presence could explain why the White Sox continue to be interested in the same players that the Brewers are.