The Chicago White Sox entered a pivotal matchup against the Cleveland Guardians on Wednesday. Whoever wins will have officially clinched the three-game series. Furthermore, they’d take one step closer to winning the NL Central.

Before first pitch, the White Sox decided to shake things up. Outfielder Tommy Pham has been activated from the 10-day injured list, the team announced. In turn, catcher Edgar Quero has been optioned to Triple-A. Right-handed pitcher Drew Thorpe was activated off the injured list and optioned to Triple-A.

pic.twitter.com/lchuS2cTX1

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) September 16, 2026

Pham hit the injured list in early September with a calf strain. He just needed the minimum 10 days to get back into action. In fact, he made sure general manager Chris Getz knew he was ready after running into him in an elevator, via Jesse Rogers of ESPN.

“Tommy Pham (calf) activated and batting cleanup for the White Sox,” Rogers wrote. “He said he ran into Chris Getz in the elevator last night and told him he was ready. “What happens if you don’t run into him?” “Probably wait till this weekend.”

Chicago White Sox need Tommy Pham’s bat 

The White Sox acquired Pham with hopes he would add an extra spark to their offense. Chicago has scored more than three runs just three times over their last eight games. Pham will be thrown into the fire immediately, batting cleanup on Wednesday.

He hasn’t done much over his 10 total games in 2026. But in 2025, Pham hit .245 with 10 home runs, 52 RBIs and five stolen bases through 120 games with the Pirates Pirates. He is a career .256 hitter with 149 home runs, 522 RBIs and 131 stolen bases over his 13-year run.

Pham won’t suddenly turn the White Sox into world beaters over night. But at the very least, he will need to be an impactful battle in the middle of Chicago’s lineup.

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Since making his MLB debut on August 9, Hagen Smith has provided a massive boost to the Chicago White Sox pitching staff. The 23-year-old rookie has seamlessly taken on a variety of roles, starting games, working out of the bullpen, making single-inning appearances, and pitching multiple innings when called upon.

Through his first 22.0 innings, Smith has handled every challenge with impressive poise, posting an outstanding 0.41 ERA. He has also recorded 32 strikeouts while maintaining a remarkable 0.81 WHIP. Across his first 13 appearances, Smith’s dominant start to his MLB career has placed him in rare company alongside former 17-year veteran Fernando Valenzuela.

Hagen Smith joins Fernando Valenzuela as the only other pitch with this stat line to begin a career

As highlighted in the graphic below from Just Baseball, Smith and Valenzuela are the only two pitchers in the live-ball era to begin their MLB careers with one earned run or fewer and at least 30 strikeouts through their first 13 appearances.

The only pitchers in the Live-Ball era to allow 1 or fewer earned runs with 30+ strikeouts in their first 13 MLB games:

1980-81 Fernando Valenzuela
2026 HAGEN SMITH

The lefty has made an IMMEDIATE impact for the White Sox! https://t.co/jNZ0UsQjIJ

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 15, 2026

Valenzuela’s first 13 appearances spanned two seasons, with 10 coming in 1980 before becoming a full-time starter the following year. In 1981, he took the league by storm, winning both Rookie of the Year and the Cy Young Award after making 25 starts and posting a 2.48 ERA.

Interestingly, Smith and Valenzuela share another similarity aside from making an immediate impact at the major league level. That is both are left-handers and Smith is expected to play a role in the White Sox starting rotation next season, a path that mirrors Valenzuela’s early days with the Dodgers 46 years ago.

If Smith can continue to build on his dominant debut season and carry that into next season, he could have the opportunity to follow a similar trajectory to the legendary left-hander.

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All season long, Tristan Peters has served as an underrated catalyst for the Chicago White Sox offense. The 2026 All-Star is batting .277/.365/.459 and leads the team with 31 doubles while ranking fourth in hits with 114.

On Monday night, in game one of a crucial series against the Cleveland Guardians, one that will have significant implications for the division race, his abilities at the plate were on full display. In the sixth inning of a tied game, with a runner on base and Gavin Williams on the mound, he battled through an 18-pitch at-bat that ultimately ended in a walk.

Peters fell behind 1-2 early in the at-bat but refused to go down quietly, fouling off 12 pitches before watching the fourth ball sail outside the zone to earn a walk after an epic battle. The marathon at-bat forced a pitching change, and the White Sox capitalized, scoring six runs in the inning to blow the game wide open before ultimately securing a 7-3 victory. This win also provided Chicago with the tiebreaker over Cleveland and extended their division lead to 1.5 games.

Tristan Peters makes history by drawing a walk on the 18th pitch against the Cleveland Guardians

According to Sarah Langs, Peters’ 18-pitch walk is tied with Adam Kennedy from the 2004 season for the longest plate appearance ending in a walk since pitch counts began being tracked in 1988. Peteres’ at-bat was also the longest of any hitter since Matt Wieters of the Cardinals saw 19 pitches before flying out in 2020. Lastly, for those wondering, Brandon Belt of the Giants saw the most pitches in one at-bat in 2018, seeing 21 before flying out.

18-PITCH PLATE APPEARANCE!

Tristan Peters works a walk and the @WhiteSox dugout loves it https://t.co/u0F3eZELRX

— MLB (@MLB) September 15, 2026

While Peters sixth inning walk may only show up as a single line in the box score, its impact on the game was anything but ordinary. His relentless at-bat helped spark a six-run inning that turned a tight game into a decisive White Sox victory. In a crucial series with major implications for the division race, Peters’ marathon plate appearance proved that sometimes the biggest impact comes from simply refusing to give in.

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The Chicago White Sox are gearing up for a potentially NL Central deciding series against the Cleveland Guardians. Things haven’t looked pretty for the South Siders as of late.

Chicago has lost five of their last six games. In all of those defeats, the White Sox failed to score more than three runs. With their record now at 76-73, they hold just a 0.5 game lead in the NL Central over the Guardians.

Which is why the upcoming stretch is so crucial. The White Sox will still play the Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Colorado Rockies after the three-game stretch, so there will still be opportunities to clinch. But whoever wins the Guardians-White Sox series will be the NL Central leaders moving forward.

While Chicago has struggled, they know the challenge in front of them. If they want their 2026 run to continue into the playoffs, the White Sox must lock in.

Kyle Teel ready to fight for Chicago White Sox

While the White Sox have numerous options behind the plate, Kyle Teel has emerged as the primary option at catcher, starting six of Chicago’s last nine games. As he prepares for the pivotal Guardians series, Teel knows he and his teammates are ready to do whatever it takes to succeed, via Lamond Pope of the Chicago Tribune.

“Leave it all out on the field,” Teel said. “Get our work in and go compete. Guys in this room, we know what we’re capable of. We’ve got an exceptional team and we just need to stay within ourselves and go out there and compete.”

The White Sox will be looking f0r their bats to wake up against the Guardians and will hope Teel could play a key role in that charge. While he is hitting .200 over his 20 games, the backstop does have four home runs and 18 RBIs. He also has a chip on his shoulder and understands where the White Sox stand.

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In September 2019, Mike Shirley was promoted to Director of Amateur Scouting for the Chicago White Sox. Before taking on the role, Shirley had steadily climbed the organization’s scouting ranks. He served as a cross-checker from 2010 to 2018 after spending six years as a full-time area scout in the Midwest from 2004 to 2009. His tenure with the organization began even earlier, as he worked as a part-time scout prior to the 2000 season and was an associate scout for the Minnesota Twins during the 1999 season.

After overseeing the White Sox’ last six MLB Amateur Drafts, including the selections of Garrett Crochet in 2020, Colson Montgomery in 2021, Hagen Smith in 2024 and Roch Cholowsky in 2026, Shirley’s tenure with the organization has come to an abrupt end. According to The Athletic, an investigation into allegations of verbal harassment ultimately led to Shirley’s resignation.

The White Sox have yet to comment publicly, but the organization reportedly launched an internal investigation following anonymous complaints about Shirley’s conduct at the Area Code Games in Long Beach, California in August. The Athletic also reported that several previous incidents involving Shirley’s behavior had been brought to the organization’s attention, though none had resulted in disciplinary action.

Mike Shirley resigns as Director of Amateur Scouting for the Chicago White Sox

Shirley’s resignation on Saturday, without the context of the allegations surrounding his departure, could initially have been seen as a move that would allow him to pursue another opportunity. However, the circumstances surrounding his exit make that scenario far less likely in the immediate future. The Athletic also reported that Shirley was believed to have signed a contract extension with the White Sox earlier this year before the investigation began.

With that in mind, Shirley’s 26 years of experience and track record within the White Sox organization will remain significant parts of his resume. However, the circumstances of his resignation are likely to make other organizations hesitant to bring him into another prominent scouting or front-office role, at least in the near term.

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The Chicago White Sox were knocked down by the Pirates Pirates, getting swept over their three-game series. But with the playoffs in sight, the franchise plans to get right back up.

Heading into Friday’s games, the White Sox still hold a 1.5 game lead in the AL Central with their 75-71 record. Chicago has a bit of a buffer, but the Cleveland Guardians are right on their tail, and the Wild Card race is just as heated.

As the White Sox prepare for their series against the St. Louis Cardinals, they must find their footing in a hurry. If not, their once safe playoff standing could dissipate.

But everyone on the South Side is well aware of the circumstances. No one on the White Sox is laying their sword down. Chicago is prepared to fight back.

Chicago White Sox prepared to fight for playoff spot

On Thursday, the White Sox dropped a close one 2-0. Erick Fedde followed starter Hagen Smith, allowing four hits and two runs over his 5.1 innings pitched. While he isn’t happy with the loss, the right-hander viewed Chicago’s sweep as a potential wake up call, via Zach Sweet of MLB.com.

“Sometimes, a punch in the face is needed to get going,” Fedde said. “We’re still in a good spot in the division. Obviously, [we’re] making it a little harder on ourselves, but it’s a good wake-up call. Teams aren’t going to roll over for us. It’s time to dig our cleats in and get the job done.”

Manager Will Venable is in the same boat. He knows getting swept is a bad look for the franchise and not indicative of a true playoff contender. But he also understands just how far the White Sox have come this season. The franchise isn’t waiving their white flag anytime soon.

“We all understand the situation,” Venable said. “You never want to get swept, and certainly not here down the stretch. At the same time, I think our clubhouse and our vibe inside there is in a really good spot.”

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As the Chicago White Sox took on the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday, things got heated to end the seventh inning. Infielder/outfielder Sam Antonacci doesn’t think tensions should’ve risen in the first place.

Antonacci was trying to break up an inning-ending double play. To do so, he slid late and made contact with Pirates second baseman Brandon Lowe with his elbow. Lowe didn’t take too kindly to the utility man’s move, sending some choice words Antonacci’s way.

Things got heated between the Pirates and White Sox after Sam Antonacci caught Brandon Lowe with his elbow while sliding into second.

The two exchanged words before benches and bullpens cleared. pic.twitter.com/hIpgeuDNxZ

— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) September 10, 2026

From there, both sides blew up with the benches clearing. No punches were thrown and eventually everyone settled down. Still, it was a moment that won’t be forgotten in what was otherwise a 4-2 loss for the White Sox.

There was no malicious intent from Antonacci on the play. To him, he was just trying to put his team in a better place to win.

Sam Antonacci backs benches clearing play

With the bases loaded, breaking up a double play would score a run for Chicago. There’s nothing in the rulebook that would bar his decision. Antonacci was trying to make a smart baseball play, via James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times.

“Went into the base pretty hard, trying to make a harder throw for him to have to make,” Antonacci said. “Completely legal play if you go look at the rule book. You can slide as late as you want as long as you keep contact with the bag. That’s exactly what happened. Nowadays in this game, a lot of people are used to letting up on that play. Here, we’re trying to get a run anyway we can. It’s a close ball game, these are playoff games and all I’m trying to do is scratch a run there.”

Sam Antonacci stood by his slide during postgame, to say the least pic.twitter.com/6kneX1sJfQ

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) September 10, 2026

From a personal perspective, Antonacci didn’t appreciate Lowe walking away after using those choice words.

“When you have a problem and you walk away like that…I’m happy enough to have a conversation, but you can’t walk away. He’s a grown man,” the infielder/outfielder said.

Overall, Antonacci and the White Sox will now look to move on. It doesn’t seem like the utility man is going to change his style of play, not with Chicago in the playoff hunt. But for Antonacci, the worst part of the entire ordeal is that it came in a loss.

“They won the game, they get the last laugh,” he concluded.

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The Chicago White Sox enter Thursday looking to avoid getting swept by the Pittsburgh Pirates. To help aid their cause, the White Sox are turning to an intriguing name on the mound.

Former top prospect Hagen Smith will start on Thursday, via James Fegan of the Chicago Sun-Times. It’ll mark his first start at the major league level, as his first 10 appearances have come out of the bullpen.

The left-hander has impressed, holding a 0.56 ERA and a 23/10 K/BB ratio over his first 16 major league innings. Now, he’ll get an opportunity to prove he can succeed as a starter at the highest level. For at least his first start, how far Smith is stretched out is yet to be seen. He hasn’t thrown more than 48 pitches in a single outing yet.

But even if his stint is short, the White Sox are expecting results. If Smith succeeds, he’ll only further stake his claim in Chicago’s pitching rotation of the future.

Chicago White Sox turn to Hagen Smith 

Smith ranked as the third-best prospect in the organization during the 2025 season, via MLB Pipeline. He remained highly regarded in prospect circles before his call up. Still only 22-years-old, Smith represents another player the White Sox are hoping leads their youth renaissance.

Over his 43 appearances at the minor league level – 37 of them being starts – the left-hander put up a 3.88 ERA and a 202/98 K/BB ratio. While there were some bumps in the road in Triple-A, Smith has found his footing at the major league level. He’s hoping to remain there long-term.

Starting in MLB will be an entirely different atmosphere. But it’s ultimately where the White Sox want Smith to be. While there will be an unspoken pitch count, Smith will be ready to prove himself on Thursday. The South Side is looking to see a future star in action.

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The end of August and start of September have been anything but kind to Will Venable and the Chicago White Sox. Since the end of the series against the Minnesota Twins, the White Sox have gone just 3-7. They still hold a two-game lead in the American League Central, but their recent slide has vibes trending in the wrong direction, and some of Venable’s decisions are now starting to draw scrutiny.

Chicago White Sox manager Will Venable catching heat for questionable choices amid playoff race

Miguel Vargas left out of starting lineup

On Wednesday, September 9, with just 18 games remaining in the regular season, Venable made a decision that raised some eyebrows. After just having an off day two days prior, he left Miguel Vargas out of the White Sox starting lineup. Asked about the decision before the game, Venable explained, “Just trying to get through this stretch, so most likely will be the last off day for Miguel Vargas. I think this is 13 or 14 in a row that we’re getting going, so you’re just trying to get through here and put everyone in the best spot.”

Venable is right that Chicago is entering a grueling stretch of 13 consecutive games, but proactively resting one of the team’s key players at the start of that stretch is difficult to justify when the White Sox desperately need an offensive spark. At the time, if any player needed a rest one would have thought it was Munetaka Murakami, who in the sixth inning of Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, snapped a streak of striking out in eight consecutive at-bats after being hit by a pitch.

Furthermore, Venable’s decision looks even more puzzling in hindsight, considering Vargas eventually entered the game as a pinch hitter for Andrew Benintendi and wound up making three plate appearances. If Vargas was healthy enough to play three times, it begs the question of why he wasn’t in the lineup from the start.

Ultimately, despite a late rally, highlighted by Murakami’s solo home run in the eighth inning, the White Sox couldn’t complete a comeback and endured another loss. Chicago loaded the bases with one out after the homer, but an inning-ending double play snuffed out the threat. The White Sox failed to mount another rally in the ninth, ultimately falling 4-2.

Hagen Smith announced as starting pitcher for Thursday’s game

After the game, Venable provided another notable update, announcing rookie Hagen Smith as the starter for the series finale as the White Sox look to avoid a sweep. Smith has been impressive to begin his career and was a starter throughout the minor leagues, but his role has been limited to relief since reaching the majors.

Dating back to his MLB debut on August 9, Smith has topped out at just 48 pitches in a single appearance, raising questions about how much length he can provide in a game the White Sox desperately need to win.

With Chicago in the middle of a grueling 13-game stretch, how much Smith can give them could prove especially important. If he struggles or is unable to provide meaningful length, the decision to put him in that spot will only invite more scrutiny toward Venable, particularly with the White Sox fighting to hold onto their place atop the division.

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On Sunday, September 6, the Chicago White Sox cruised to a 10-1 victory over the Minnesota Twins. While the offense certainly stood out, the bullpen may have been even more impressive, as the White Sox relied exclusively on their relievers to cover all nine innings.

Bryan Hudson was the opener in this contest, going 1.2 innings. Following him was Jordan Hicks for 1.1 innings, Hagen Smith for 3.0 innings, Grant Taylor for 2.0, and Tyler Davis for the last 1.0 to finish out the game. All-together Twins batters accumulated just four hits, walked once, and struck out a total of 15 times.

Of that group of pitchers, Smith earned the win after tossing three perfect innings. He retired all nine batters he faced while striking out four, showcasing impressive efficiency along the way. Smith threw 27 of his 35 pitches for strikes.

For Smith, this outing was another example of just how impressive he has been to begin his MLB career. Through 10 appearances, he now owns a 0.56 ERA across 16.0 innings, allowing just five hits while striking out 23. Opposing batters are hitting just .096 against him and striking out 37.1% of the time, while Smith has posted a 0.94 WHIP.

Chicago White Sox rookie left-hander Hagen Smith has impressed early in his MLB career

Beyond the traditional numbers, Smith’s advanced metrics further support his impressive performance. The 6-foot-3 southpaw ranks in the 88th percentile in extension, giving his 93.9 mph fastball a higher perceived velocity to opposing hitters. That heater has allowed just two hits so far while generating whiffs on 31.4% of swings.

Complementing the fastball is a devastating slider that has also surrendered just two hits. 13 of Smith’s strikeouts have come on the pitch, which has generated an impressive 42.6% whiff rate. The final pitch in Smith’s primary repertoire is his cutter, which he throws 14.8% of the time. His changeup, meanwhile, is his least frequently used pitch and has allowed his lone extra-base hit of the season.

While it is still early in Smith’s MLB career, the results have been difficult to ignore. His combination of a dominant fastball, devastating slider and strong underlying metrics has made him one of the more intriguing young arms in the White Sox bullpen. A shot in the starting rotation is likely at some point beyond this season, but for now he has established himself as a multi inning relief weapon.

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The Chicago White Sox were hoping Tommy Pham could play a role in their playoff push. However, a left calf strain has sent him to the 10-day injured list.

In turn, the White Sox have called up catcher Edgar Quero, the team announced. It’s yet another chapter in Chicago’s 2026 catcher saga.

Quero is joining a pair of backstops already on the roster in Kyle Teel and Jake Rogers. Fellow catcher Drew Romo appeared in 60 games with the team before being demoted to the minors. Simply put, it’s been bit of a revolving door behind the plate in Chicago.

Based on their former top prospect pedigree, the White Sox would likely want Teel or Quero to win the job long-term. But for now, Chicago is focused on clinching the NL Central. Whoever gives the White Sox the likeliest chance to win in their eyes will earn the more immediate opportunities.

But now back in the majors, Quero will have another opportunity to carve out his role. He isn’t in the lineup on Sunday though, as Teel earned the start.

What Edgar Quero offers White Sox

Quero has appeared in 65 games for the White Sox in 2026, hitting .208 with three home runs and 19 RBIs. His numbers may not be the most inspiring, but the catcher showed flashes of brilliance during his rookie season. Quero’s first 111 games in the league resulted in a .268 batting average with five home runs and 36 RBIs.

The catcher is still only 23-years-old. In 2024, he ranked as the fourth-best prospect in the organization, via MLB Pipeline. Long-term, the White Sox will remain high on Quero.

Whether that leads to regular season playing time is yet to be seen. With Rogers in the mix as well, Chicago will need to have a nightly conversation about who gets the start. Perhaps once the playoffs draw closer the franchise will have a firm starter in place.

Quero is looking to be that answer at catcher. Solidification behind the plate would end the South Side’s continuous carousel.

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The Chicago White Sox jumped out ahead 3-0 in the first inning of Saturday’s game against the Minnesota Twins, but were unable to overcome Anthony Kay’s fourth and fifth inning struggles where he got tagged with five earned runs. Ultimately the Sox dropped the contest 6-4, but if there is a silver lining, history was made during the contest and both the Cleveland Guardians and Houston Astros lost as well, meaning there was no change in the American League Central or No.2 seed post season races.

Three historical notes from a 6-4 Chicago White Sox loss to the Minnesota Twins

During the White Sox three run first inning, they achieved the lead with home runs from Munetaka Murakami and Colson Montgomery. For Murakami, he not only snapped a 74 plate appearance homeless streak, but he reached No.30 on the season. This makes him just the fourth Japenese born player to reach that threshold in a single season, with Shohei Ohtani, Seiya Suzuki, and Hideki Matsui being the others.

Murakami’s blast also gave Chicago three members of the 30 home run club this season. This marks the fourth time in franchise history that feat has been achieved, with the 2008, 2006, and 2004 White Sox all completing it in the past. In 08, the players to hit 30 home runs was Jermaine Dye, Carlos Quentin and Jim Thome, 06 Joe Crede, Dye, Thome, Paul Konerko, and in 04 Ponerko, Carlos Lee, and José Valentín.

Lastly, Montgomery’s first-inning home run marked his 31st of the season and the 10th time he and Murakami have homered in the same game. That ties the most such instances by a White Sox duo in a single season, matching Luis Robert Jr. and Jake Burger in 2023, Joe Thome and Jermaine Dye in 2006, and Frank Thomas and Carlos Lee in 2003.

As interesting as all the history surrounding the home runs is, the White Sox ultimately came away with a loss and missed an opportunity to gain ground in the playoff races. Fortunately, the Guardians and Astros also lost, allowing Chicago to maintain a 2.5-game lead in the division and a 1.5-game advantage in the race for the No. 2 seed entering play Sunday, Sept. 6.

However, Chicago does not hold the tiebreaker advantage over Houston, whereas that is undecided yet against Cleveland, but the White Sox need to win just one of the three remaining games against the Guardians to secure that tiebreaker.

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Kyle Teel is back with the Chicago White Sox once again. The 24-year-old has endured a difficult stretch of injuries this season, beginning with a hamstring injury during the World Baseball Classic, followed by a knee injury while on a rehab assignment and, most recently, an ankle sprain at the end of July.

Now, as of September 4, Teel has returned to the big leagues. The White Sox opted against carrying three catchers and instead optioned Drew Romo to the minor leagues, clearing a spot for Teel to rejoin the club.

For Chicago, Teel’s return provides more than just the optimism of getting production from behind the plate. It also comes at a time when several key offensive players are in a slump. For instance, Munetaka Murakami is hitting for just a .133 batting average over his last 27 games with 44 strikeouts while Colson Montgomery has just five home runs since July 31.

The result has been Chicago ranking 16th in total runs scored over the last two weeks. Additionally, the American League Central + No.2 seed playoff race has become more closely contested. Perhaps Teel’s return can provide the spark the White Sox need to get the lineup going and get the Sox back on track.

Chicago White Sox activating Kyle Teel may have come at the perfect time

While Murakami and Montgomery are going through the dog days of summer, Teel has looked sharp at the plate throughout his rehab assignment. Across six games, he recorded a hit in all but one contest, including a three-hit performance and a home run.

With that kind of production, Teel should be able to shake off any rust quickly and make a positive impact on the club right away, which is something the White Sox desperately need as they look for a spark.

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Manager Will Venable has done an impressive job in his first season at the helm of the Chicago White Sox. For much of the season, his club has held the top spot in the American League Central while maintaining the No. 2 seed in the playoff picture. However, a recent series loss to the Houston Astros, who are right on their heels in the standings, has tightened the race and left the White Sox with little room for error down the stretch.

That said, 2026 trade deadline acquisition Luis Castillo has struggled since joining the White Sox. Through his first six starts, Castillo owns a 7.52 ERA and has completed at least five innings just once. He has also surrendered four or more earned runs in four of those outings. Following his most recent start Thursday against the Astros, when he allowed six earned runs over 4.0 innings, Venable provided some clarity on his expectations for Castillo down the stretch, as well as the potential for changes moving forward.

Will Venable will be shortening the leash on Luis Castillo going forward

Venable’s message to reporters regarding Castillo’s recent struggles was one of confidence in the veteran right-hander, but also not naive to the fact that changes are needed.

“We have high confidence in him. We had a conversation with him to reaffirm that. His job isn’t to go out there and throw six scoreless; he just needs to give us a chance to win. There have been a couple where we haven’t been able to get there, but we believe he can.”

As for potential changes, Venable was not opposed to using an opener for Castillo moving forward. He also emphasized that the games ahead will need to be managed much like playoff games, with the entire pitching staff available and shorter leashes when pitchers run into trouble.

Ultimately, Castillo’s struggles have created a difficult situation for Venable and the White Sox, as they hoped he would address an area they needed improvement in, but the opposite has occurred. While the club clearly still believes in the veteran right-hander, the margin for error is shrinking with the postseason race tightening.

Castillo will likely need to find a way to regain his form quickly, whether that comes as a traditional starter or in a potentially modified role. With every game carrying increased importance down the stretch, the White Sox will need results more than anything from their deadline acquisition.

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For some time now, the Chicago White Sox have held the No. 2 seed in the American League playoff picture. Despite having the league’s fourth-best overall record, Chicago has maintained that position because the three teams ahead of them all come from the American League East. With the White Sox owning the best record in the Central and holding an edge over the teams in the West, they have remained in the No. 2 spot.

While September has only just begun, much of the focus surrounding the White Sox is on whether they can hold off the Cleveland Guardians in the race for the American League Central title. However, another important race is unfolding behind the scenes: the battle for the No. 2 seed, with Chicago and the Houston Astros competing for the spot.

On Thursday, September 3, the two teams will wrap up their regular-season games against one another. While that final game will have an impact on the standings, in which the White Sox currently hold just a 2.5 game lead over the Astros, it is worth noting that Houston’s 2-0 victory Wednesday night carried large significance as it gave the Astros the deciding tiebreaker over Chicago. That could prove crucial if the two teams finish the regular season with identical records.

The Chicago White Sox do not hold the tiebreaker over the Houston Astros

A few years ago, Major League Baseball eliminated Game 163 as a way to settle ties, instead awarding the tiebreaker to the team with the better head-to-head record during the regular season. Following the White Sox’s loss to the Astros on Wednesday, that advantage officially belongs to Houston. The Astros have won four of the six meetings between the teams this season, with one game still remaining.

Ultimately, the White Sox still control their own path to the No. 2 seed, but the margin for error has become smaller as they have to have an outright better record than Houston and hold off the Guardians in the division. Chicago’s current lead over Houston gives them some breathing room, but if the White Sox want to secure the higher seed, they will need to finish strong and leave no doubt during the final stretch of the regular season.

Importantly, the White Sox currently hold the tiebreaker over the Cleveland Guardians, thanks to a 6-4 advantage in the season series. With three games still remaining between the two teams, Chicago can secure the tiebreaker outright by winning just one of those matchups. The White Sox also won four of six games against the Texas Rangers this season, giving them another potential tiebreaker advantage should Texas work its way back into the No. 2 seed race.

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Chicago does not usually get a month like this.

The city’s sports calendar tends to run in shifts. Baseball fades, football takes over, hockey and basketball arrive once the leaves turn. Somebody is always rebuilding. Somebody is always already eliminated. The idea of four or five Chicago teams mattering in the same three-week window has been closer to a fantasy than a schedule.

September 2026 is different. Both baseball teams are heading toward October. The Bears open a season carrying genuine expectations for the first time in a generation. The Blackhawks are about to reopen camp with Patrick Kane back in the room. The Sky are closing out a season that will define their offseason.

Here is what each of them is actually playing for, and which dates decide it.

The Cubs Are Now Fighting for Something They Thought They Had

For most of the summer, the Cubs held the National League’s top wild card spot with room to spare. That cushion is gone.

Chicago enters September at 78-60 and level with the Philadelphia Phillies at the top of the wild card standings. A lead that reached five games at one point has evaporated, largely because the Phillies went on a tear while the Cubs dropped four of five series. The Padres and Diamondbacks are close enough behind to matter too.

The distinction is not academic. The top wild card team hosts the entire first round. The second one travels. For a club built around a strong home record and one of the best defenses in baseball, playing that series at Wrigley Field rather than Citizens Bank Park is worth real games.

The division is a different conversation. Milwaukee has held the NL Central in a vice grip all year and the maths no longer favors a comeback, even with seven meetings left between the two clubs, including a season-closing series in Milwaukee. Manager and front office alike have been careful not to frame the month as a division chase.

What they do have is pitching that finally looks whole. Kevin Gausman and Clay Holmes both arrived at the deadline. Pete Crow-Armstrong has spent the season in the MVP conversation. Alex Bregman has provided the middle-of-the-order production the roster lacked. Whether the rotation holds up is the single biggest variable in how far this team goes.

The White Sox Are Chasing the Most Improbable Division Title in Years

Two years ago the White Sox lost 121 games. Last season they finished under .500 for the third straight year and were eliminated by early September.

They enter this September in first place.

Chicago sits at 73-65 and holds a three-game lead over Cleveland in the AL Central, currently slotted as the American League’s second seed and in line for a first-round bye. They added a veteran outfielder from Philadelphia to strengthen the group for the stretch. National coverage has spent the last week trying to work out whether this qualifies as the most unlikely division win in modern baseball history, which tells you how far outside the projections this team has landed.

The schedule gives them control of their own fate. A three-game set against Cleveland from September 14 to 16 is the pivot point of their month. One win there secures the tiebreaker against their closest pursuer, which in a race this tight could end up deciding the whole thing.

For a fan base that has spent three seasons watching a teardown, the question has flipped entirely. It is no longer whether the rebuild works. It is whether the rebuild is already finished.

The Bears Open With Expectations Attached

Ben Johnson’s first year in Chicago produced 11 wins, a division title and a playoff run that ended in the divisional round. His second begins on September 13 in Carolina.

Caleb Williams enters year three as a legitimate MVP candidate after the way he finished last season, and Johnson has treated him accordingly. Williams did not take a snap in the preseason opener. The coaching staff spent August prioritizing practice volume and health over exhibition reps, which is the behavior of a team that believes it already knows what it has.

What it does not know is the back end of the defense. Ryan Poles has publicly raised concerns about Kyler Gordon’s availability for the season, the safety pairing of Coby Bryant and Dillon Thieneman is still unsettled, and Ozzy Trapilo’s return from injury has its own timeline. Those are the questions that decide whether a good offense turns into a serious team.

September stacks the schedule against them early. Carolina on the road, Minnesota at Soldier Field on September 20, then Philadelphia on Monday Night Football on September 28. Three weeks in, Chicago will know exactly what this team is.

The Sky Close Out a Season of Transition

The Sky are the one Chicago team without much left to play for. Tyler Marsh’s group sits at 15-23 and fifth in the Eastern Conference with the WNBA schedule paused for the World Cup break.

That is an improvement on last year’s 10-34, but it comes in a season reshaped by Angel Reese’s departure to Atlanta, where she has continued to put up the kind of numbers that made her the face of the franchise in Chicago. Following her from a distance has been a strange experience for Sky supporters.

The real business is the offseason. What Chicago does with its cap space and its draft position will say more about the next three years than anything left on the 2026 schedule.

Hockey and Basketball Are Already Warming Up

The Blackhawks reopen camp this month with the most interesting roster they have had since the rebuild started. Patrick Kane is back on a two-year deal. Connor Bedard is entering another season as the organization’s centerpiece. Kyle Davidson had an active summer, and the general consensus around the team is that the excuses have run out.

The Bulls are further out, with camp arriving at the end of the month, but Matas Buzelis has spent the offseason making it clear he intends to be a problem for people.

Where the Betting Markets Fit In

A month this crowded is also the busiest stretch of the year for Chicago sports markets. Illinois has had legal mobile sports betting since 2020, and a September featuring two baseball playoff races, an NFL opener and the start of hockey camp produces a volume of local action that no other point on the calendar comes close to matching.

The wider online gaming market has changed alongside it. A growing share of players now fund accounts with digital currency rather than cards or bank transfers, mostly for the speed of deposits and withdrawals. That shift has brought a flood of new platforms, and the quality varies enormously. Anyone weighing how to choose a reliable eth casino for online crypto gaming should be checking licensing, published withdrawal times and the platform’s operating history before anything else, because the headline bonus figure is usually the least informative number on the page.

Worth saying plainly: this is entertainment, not a revenue plan. Anyone for whom it stops feeling that way should step back and look for support.

The Dates That Decide the Month

• September 13 — Bears open the season in Carolina
• September 14-16 — White Sox host Cleveland with the AL Central tiebreaker on the line
• September 20 — Minnesota visits Soldier Field
• September 28 — Bears host Philadelphia on Monday Night Football
• September 29 to October 1 — Cubs close the regular season in Milwaukee

Five teams, one city, three weeks. Chicago has spent a long time waiting for a September that actually matters. This is it.

The post Chicago’s Crowded September: What the Bears, Cubs, White Sox and Sky Are All Playing For at Once appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Catcher was a major topic of discussion for the Chicago White Sox leading up to the trade deadline. The team ultimately acquired Joey Bart, only for him to break his hand just three games into his tenure with the organization. At the time, there were also questions about whether Kyle Teel, who suffered a significant ankle injury a few weeks earlier, would be able to return at all in 2026.

Now, with roster expansion looming on September 1, Teel is already four games into an injury rehab assignment, which includes a three-hit performance on Sunday August 30. That means the White Sox will eventually have to decide whether carrying three catchers makes sense, even if that decision doesn’t come immediately on September 1.

For now, Jake Rogers and Drew Romo occupy the two catcher spots on Chicago’s active roster, but Teel’s impending return could force the team to make an interesting roster decision.

Once Kyle Teel is ready to return, will the Chicago White Sox carry three catchers during expanded September rosters?

Despite Rogers’ recent walk-off home run against the New York Mets on Aug. 21, he has not outperformed Romo offensively over the past two weeks. Rogers is slashing .150/.261/.300 across six games, while Romo has posted a .227/.346/.364 line during that same span, which is eight games for him.

That makes Teel’s potential return even more intriguing. Despite his health struggles this season, he still represent the organization’s best opportunity to get offensive production from the catcher position, something that could prove critical if Chicago reaches the postseason.

All that said, carrying three catchers during expanded rosters could make plenty of sense for the White Sox. Having a trio behind the plate would allow the team to better manage each catcher’s workload while giving manager Will Venable greater flexibility. It would allow him to use pinch-runners or defensive replacements more aggressively without worrying about leaving himself without a primary catcher later in the game.

Whenever Teel is ready to return, the White Sox will have an interesting roster decision to make, but carrying three catchers may be the best solution. With Rogers and Romo already on the roster and Teel potentially providing the biggest offensive upside, Chicago could benefit from having all three available down the stretch. The added flexibility would be especially valuable in September as well, as they look to close out an American League Central Division championship and possible bye to the Divisional Series.

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The Chicago White Sox have won five of their last seven games as September and the postseason nears. Sitting at 72-64, the Sox hold a 3.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians, who are a red-hot 8-2 in their last 10 games and getting closer with each victory.

With September looming, rosters will expand across the entirety of Major League Baseball, and the White Sox have wasted no time when it comes to adding a much-needed veteran in the locker room.

Today, the Sox made a small roster move as they decided to trade for veteran outfielder Tommy Pham. Pham signed a deal with the Philadelphia Phillies in July and has been on a handful of teams thus far in the season.

Trade news: The Chicago White Sox are acquiring outfielder Tommy Pham from the Philadelphia Phillies, sources tell ESPN. Pham is expected to join the White Sox when rosters expand Sept. 1. The 38-year-old rejoins the Sox after spending parts of 2026 with the Mets, O's and Phils.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 31, 2026

This will be Pham’s fourth team of the season, and his second stint with the Chicago White Sox during his career. Pham has been a very good playoff performer in his career, hitting .315 over 37 career games. He last played in the postseason with the Kansas City Royals in 2024.

Funny enough, this is the second trade this year that the two clubs have made. The Phillies acquired outfielder Derek Hill from the White Sox in June for some international pool cash and a few prospects.

Tommy Pham will add a much-needed veteran presence to the Chicago White Sox clubhouse

The Chicago White Sox have enjoyed a fun and unexpected winning season thus far. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions for fans, but with about a month left to play, you couldn’t ask for the club to be in a better position. They’ve hit plenty of home runs and watched some young talent turn into potential long-term pieces.

Before the season began, the White Sox were the youngest team in baseball, as they had the lowest average age across the entire league. Luckily, a surprise playoff push has made the front office go out and grab veteran talent like Luis Castillo and now Tommy Pham. They now sit 11th in the youth rankings, a massive jump from Spring Training.

Pham won’t break the home run record or steal bases as he used to in St. Louis, but he adds something that can’t be overlooked on a young playoff roster. Obviously, the Sox still need to finish September strong to play in October, but this move will surely encourage fans and the team, as you can never have enough veteran outfielders.

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Throughout the rich history of the Chicago White Sox, the 2000s stand out as one of the franchise’s more successful stretches. From 2000-09, the White Sox posted a winning record in eight of the nine seasons and made three trips to the postseason, including their memorable 2005 World Series championship. It’s also important to remember that the playoff field was much smaller at the time, making a trip to October considerably harder to achieve than it is today.

In 2026, the White Sox are not only on pace to return to the postseason, but one of their biggest strengths closely resembles those successful teams from the early 2000s: the home run ball. Chicago has launched 180 home runs this season, tied for the third-most in the league. As a team, they are on pace to reach a total similar to what several of those teams accomplished more than two decades ago.

2026 Chicago White Sox on pace to crack franchise’s top five home run seasons

 

As things stand, the White Sox are averaging 1.34 home runs per game, putting them on pace to finish the season with 216 long balls. If they reach that total, they would tie the 2000 White Sox for the sixth-most home runs in a single season in franchise history.

Chicago would need just one more home run to tie for fifth with 217. From there, the total’s climb as followed: the 2003 White Sox hit 220, the 2008 team hit 235, the 2006 club hit 236, and the franchise record belongs to the 2004 team, which launched 242 home runs.

With more than a month remaining in the regular season, it will be interesting to see where the White Sox ultimately finish from a home run standpoint. Munetaka Murakami and Miguel Vargas are both just one homer away from reaching 30 on the season, while Colson Montgomery is two away. Chicago has also received some unexpected power contributions, with Tristan Peters recently homering in five consecutive games, while Chase Meidroth has 12 and Andrew Benintendi has 14.

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Tristan Peters has emerged as one of the best stories in baseball this season. Acquired by the Chicago White Sox in December after being designated for assignment by the Tampa Bay Rays, Peters earned his way onto the Opening Day roster with an impressive spring training and hasn’t looked back since.

His 2026 season has been filled with memorable moments. Peters recorded the first of what are now three walk-offs on April 3 against the Toronto Blue Jays, then delivered a six-RBI performance against the Kansas City Royals on June 26. He hit for the cycle against the Athletics on July 10, earned his first All-Star selection, and hit a walk-off home run last weekend.

Now, on August 25, Peters nearly added another cycle to his resume, falling just a triple short. He still reached base five times however. Then on August 26 he extended his home run streak to five consecutive games, adding yet another impressive chapter to what has become a remarkable breakout season.

Chicago White Sox Tristan Peters continues to build impressive 2026 season resume

Taking all of that into account, Peters has joined an exclusive group in MLB history. According to OptaSTATS, he is just the third player ever to record a six-RBI game, reach base five times in a game, hit a grand slam, hit a walk-off home run and homer in at least four consecutive games. The only other players to accomplish all five feats are Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx and Joe DiMaggio.

Feats for Tristan Peters in 2026:

6 RBI in a game
5 times on base in a game (H/BB/HBP)
4 straight games with a HR
cycle
grand slam
walkoff HR

Only 2 others in MLB history have done all of that in one season: Jimmie Foxx (1933) & Joe DiMaggio (1937). pic.twitter.com/W1zE4LVaw6

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) August 26, 2026

Furthermore, Peters joins teammates Munetaka Murakami as a White Sox player to homer in five consecutive games this season. That is a franchise record, a mark currently shared with Peteres, Murakami, A.J. Pierzynski, Paul Konerko, and Frank Thomas.

Peters’ latest surge is more than just another hot streak, it is the latest chapter in what has become one of the most remarkable breakout seasons in baseball. Overall this year he is now slashing .282/.346/.475 with 11 home runs and 52 RBI’s.

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The Chicago White Sox have plenty to be excited about when it comes to both the present day and their future. The organization has struck a golden balance between winning at the Major League level and developing a talented group of prospects who could soon factor into its long-term plans. One of those players is Caleb Bonemer, the team’s second-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.

At just 20 years old, Bonemer has turned heads this season, belting 33 home runs across the High-A and Double-A levels, including 18 with High-A and 15 with Double-A. However, his power is not the only thing drawing attention late in the season. The White Sox recently approached him about a position change, a move that suggests the organization is proactively preparing for the future.

Chicago White Sox prospect Caleb Bonemer will play center field during the final stretch of the Double-A season and Arizona Fall League

Originally drafted as a shortstop, as several great athletes out of High School are, Bonemer has played both short and third base throughout his professional career. However, he now will be getting live game action in center field as Chicago approached him about adding this tool to his arsenal.

White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield told MLB.com’s Scott Merkin, “By no means is he no longer an infielder. We see this as adding another tool in his bag. And he’s super athletic. He’s capable of doing it.”

With an infield featuring Chase Meidroth at second base, Colson Montgomery at shortstop and Miguel Vargas at third base, all of whom are under team control for several years, the White Sox are taking a proactive approach with Bonemer by getting him meaningful reps in the outfield for the remainder of the minor league season as well as Arizona Fall League.

Expanding his defensive versatility could give him a clearer path to consistent playing time once he reaches the Major Leagues. That becomes even more important considering Chicago also has top prospects such as Roch Cholowsky and Billy Carlson, who are both infielders.

For Bonemer, the move to center field is about much more than simply learning a new position. The White Sox are giving one of their most promising young players another tool that could ultimately make him more valuable and easier to fit into the Major League roster. With plenty of talented infielders also in the organization, developing the ability to play center field now could give him more opportunities down the road and ensure Chicago has as many options as possible when his time to reach the big leagues arrives.

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Tristan Peters, an All-Star for the Chicago White Sox this season, is now responsible for three of the team’s 11 walk-off wins. His latest came during Players’ Weekend and was his first walk-off home run of the year. Peters launched a game-ending shot off Kodai Senga of the New York Mets while using a Savannah Bananas bat, paying homage to a time with the team a few years ago. His previous walk-offs came on April 3, when he delivered a walk-off hit, and July 30, when he drew a game-winning walk.

TRISTAN. PETERS. WALK-OFF. HOME RUN. pic.twitter.com/WCYuSvE6kQ

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 23, 2026

Peter’s shot came just two days after his teammate Jake Rogers hit a walk-off home run in extra innings that plated two runs in the process. It also marked the White Sox fifth walk-off long ball of the year, with Braden Montgomery, Miguel Vargas, and Edgar Quero having the others. This total not only is the most in the Majors this year, but it ties a White Sox franchise record.

Tristan Peters’ walk-off home run ties a Chicago White Sox franchise record

According to Sarah Langs, five walk-off home runs hit by five different players is tied for the most in White Sox franchise history. Chicago has accomplished the feat in three other seasons: 2014, 2008 and 1988. All of the players who helped make history during those seasons are listed in the post below.

5 different players with a walk-off HR ties the most in a season in White Sox history:

2026 Miguel Vargas, Edgar Quero, Tristan Peters, Braden Montgomery, Jake Rogers
2014 Adam Dunn, Tyler Flowers, Dayan Viciedo, Alexei Ramirez, Jose Abreu
2008 Jim Thome, Nick Swisher, A.J.… https://t.co/PyZ7JfjyYd

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) August 24, 2026

Peters’ latest heroics add another memorable moment to what has already been a very fun season for the White Sox. With his third walk-off of the year, and the latest finally coming via a home run, he not only helped Chicago secure another dramatic win but also tied a franchise record.

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After several miserable seasons, the Chicago White Sox have built a winning team while having one of the stronger farm systems in baseball, with impressive depth throughout the organization. That talent has already begun making its way to the majors, as 15 players have made their MLB debuts with the White Sox this season, including four former first-round picks: Noah Schultz (2022), Jacob Gonzalez (2023), Hagen Smith (2024), and Braden Montgomery (2024).

Of that group, Schultz, Smith, and Gonzalez were all originally drafted by Chicago, while Montgomery was selected by the Boston Red Sox before eventually joining the White Sox. Gonzalez, however, is no longer with the organization after being traded for left-handed pitcher Jaden Woods and the No. 34 overall pick in this year’s draft. Chicago used that selection on Landon Thome, the son of Hall of Famer and White Sox legend Jim Thome.

Among the White Sox’s more recent first-round picks, significant news was announced regarding Billy Carlson (2025) and Roch Cholowsky (2026), as both have been shut down for the remainder of their respective minor league seasons. Carlson is dealing with a skin infection, while Cholowsky is being sidelined due to wrist soreness.

Chicago White Sox shut down first round picks Billy Carlson and Roch Cholowsky

Carlson, the 20-year-old shortstop, will see his season come to an end after appearing in just 60 games during his first professional campaign. He already missed time earlier this year with a thumb fracture and is now dealing with a skin infection that requires treatment. In his debut season, Carlson hit .252/.380/.335 and is still searching for his first professional home run.

Meanwhile, Cholowsky wasted little time making an impact, hitting his first professional home run within his first week. However, the 2026 first overall pick struggled to find his footing over his nine games, going just 6-for-36 at the plate. While the slow start is far from ideal, this season was ultimately about getting his feet wet and gaining valuable experience heading into 2027, which could be a pivotal year for a player the White Sox expect to move quickly through the minor leagues.

Related: Roch Cholowksy lands high on first post draft MLB Pipeline top 100 ranking

Overall, the early shutdowns of Carlson and Cholowsky are certainly disappointing, but they should not overshadow the bigger picture. They both still have plenty of time to get healthy, develop, and continue working toward the big leagues. If shutting them down now and prioritizing their health is what gives them the best chance to succeed long term, then it is the right decision for the White Sox.

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The 2026 Chicago White Sox have proven to be one of the most resilient teams in baseball. Not only have they far exceeded expectations in the win column, but they have built a comfortable lead in the American League Central and would enter the postseason as the No. 2 seed if the season ended today, earning a first-round bye into the Division Series.

More importantly, this is a team that simply refuses to quit. Friday night’s matchup against the New York Mets was a perfect example. After falling behind by four runs, the White Sox rallied with back-to-back-to-back home runs before Jake Rogers delivered the walk-off winning long ball, capping their largest comeback of the season with an exclamation point.

JAKE ROGERS WALK-OFF HOME RUN pic.twitter.com/4t2KU76vwf

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 22, 2026

Chicago White Sox come from behind and walk-off the New York Mets

Despite trailing 4-0 entering the sixth inning, the White Sox refused to go quietly. Miguel Vargas, Randal Grichuk, and Colson Montgomery launched three consecutive home runs to tie the game, with Vargas’s being a two-run blast. Then, in the ninth, recently acquired catcher Jake Rogers, playing for his fourth team in less than a month, delivered the game-winning home run to complete the 6-4 comeback victory.

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At 66-61, the Chicago White Sox are currently sitting 3.5-games up and in first place in the American League Central Division. Even the most optimistic fan likely could admit that they did not foresee this being a true statement before the season started.

Indeed, the 2026 White Sox have been one of best feel-good stories in baseball in recent memory. After three straight seasons in which they lost more than 100 games, Chicago is on the verge of making the American League postseason.

The season, however, is not over yet. There are 35 games remaining on their schedule, and they will need to finish strong in order to cap off what has been a surprisingly entertaining year.

Chicago White Sox insider questions the team’s starting pitching

MLB.com recently asked each team’s insider what the biggest question is that their club is facing. White Sox reporter Scott Merkin wrote the following:

“The White Sox added right-hander Luis Castillo at the Deadline, hoping to give the team another experienced starter who can help them get through these innings during the stretch drive to the postseason. Sean Burke also has been one of the best starters in the game since June 18.

“But Davis Martin currently is on the 15-day IL with a blister issue, posting a 6.52 ERA since he hit a low ERA mark of 1.61 on May 16. Noah Schultz, one of the team’s top pitching prospects, is currently back with Triple-A Charlotte, as the White Sox not only try to lock down the American League Central title but keep this rotation strong into the playoffs. They used an opener and bulk hurlers in each of the last two games of their series at Wrigley Field.”

Martin has certainly come down to earth after his fantastic start to the season. In March/April, he was 4-1 with a 1.95 ERA. The following month, he went 4-0 with a 2.05 ERA. By the end of May, he was an impressive 8-1 with a sparkling 2.00 ERA.

Since then, he is 1-6 with a 6.52 ERA. In his last seven starts, he has an ERA of 8.48.

Luis Castillo has not been the stabilizing force that they had hoped he would be when they traded for him. In three starts since arriving in Chicago, he is 1-0 with a 4.60 ERA with just one quality start.

If the White Sox are to finish the season at the top of the AL Central, their pitching needs to hold up, and based on recent performances, it is fair to wonder if they will.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Jake Rogers’ quirky MLB record gets even weirder after first White Sox hit
• White Sox see surprising player highlighted in latest power rankings
• White Sox winning weekend made even sweet by slugging duo’s rare feat

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The bad news: the Chicago White Sox were defeated by the Atlanta Braves 2-0 today. The good news: Anthony Kay pitched six strong innings of two-run ball. Quality starts and length of any kind have been a rare sight from Chicago’s starters as of late, and Kay’s performance gave their bullpen a much-needed reprieve.

At 66-61, the White Sox still lead the American League Central Division by 3.5 games. The fact that they are in this position at all, in hindsight, is a tremendous surprise. Coming into 2026, no one expected Chicago to be anywhere close to contending after three consecutive seasons in which they lost more than 100 games.

Now that they are here, though, the onus is on them to finish strong.

The Chicago White Sox go up in the power rankings, but starting pitcher concerns abound

The age-old saying in baseball is that pitching wins championships. It is no secret, though, that Chicago has largely been carried by their high-powered offense this season. Indeed, their starting rotation has been serviceable at best for the majority of the year. One has to wonder how long they can continue to tread water without their current starters becoming more consistent.

That is the question ESPN asked when they ranked the White Sox 10th (up on spot from last week) in their weekly power rankings:

“The White Sox’s rotation has been thin since the All-Star break, and though manager Will Venable and his staff have done a good job of leveraging their hot relievers to stay afloat, Chicago runs the risk of burning out the bullpen if some of its starters don’t get going.

“The White Sox rank 25th in rotation ERA (4.68) since the All-Star break and have gotten only eight quality starts in 31 outings. Six of those seven have come from Sean Burke and Anthony Kay, while deadline pickup Luis Castillo has one quality start over his first three White Sox outings.

“Castillo is obviously a key to the rotation getting deeper behind Burke and Kay, but Chicago also badly needs early-season phenom Davis Martin to find himself. After posting a 3.41 ERA over 18 starts before the break, Martin has a ghastly 8.48 ERA over his first seven second-half starts.”

As ESPN points out, Chicago targeted Luis Castillo at the MLB trade deadline in hopes that he would help stabilize their starting rotation.

He has not.

What is more concerning, though, is that Davis Martin has struggled mightily after appearing to be an early-season Cy Young candidate. As noted above, he has an 8.48 ERA over his last seven starts. At the end of May, he was 8-1 with a 2.00 ERA. Since the beginning of June, though, he is 1-5 with a 6.52 ERA.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Jake Rogers’ quirky MLB record gets even weirder after first White Sox hit
• White Sox see surprising player highlighted in latest power rankings
• White Sox winning weekend made even sweet by slugging duo’s rare feat

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Jake Rogers has heard his name attached to quite a few teams over the past three weeks. Most recently, it was “Rogers, you’re a Chicago White Sox,” but that came after stops with the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Detroit Tigers in a whirlwind stretch for the journeyman catcher.

According to Cody Stavenhagen of The Athletic, Rogers’ wild journey across four teams in just 21 days is the fastest such turnaround in MLB history. He surpassed Frank Huelsman, who also played for four teams in 1904, but did so over a 42-day span, which is twice as long as Rogers’ remarkable stretch.

Making Rogers’ journey even more remarkable is the fact that he has recorded a hit with all four teams he has played for during this stretch. That accomplishment puts him in an exclusive group, as he is now just the seventh player in MLB history to record a hit for four different teams in such a span.

Current Chicago White Sox catcher Jake Rogers’ is just one of seven players to record a hit with four different teams in the same season

With Rogers officially in the White Sox hit column, he becomes the first player since José Bautista in 2004 to record a hit for four different teams in the same season. Before Bautista, Dave Martinez accomplished the feat in 2000, while Dave Kingman did it in 1977. The list also includes Wes Covington (1961), Paul Lehner (1951), Willis Hudlin (1940) and Frank Huelsman (1904), putting Rogers in some fascinating historical company.

While Rogers’ whirlwind 2026 season has already been one of the strangest stories in baseball, he can now say his unusual journey has placed him in a unique corner of MLB history alongside players who also bounced around the league. The fact that he managed to record a hit with all four teams makes things even more impressive, giving Rogers a quirky piece of baseball history that few players can claim. For a player who has spent the past few weeks constantly changing uniforms, he has certainly made each stop count.

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For years, the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox rivalry has often felt more like a local tradition than a genuine battle for the postseason. That has changed in 2026.

The two Chicago teams entered their latest Crosstown Classic series with legitimate reasons to believe they could make the playoffs.

The Cubs came into the series at 72-53, while the White Sox sat at 65-58 and held first place in the AL Central.

That alone makes this year’s rivalry worth watching. The teams are not simply playing for bragging rights across the city. Both have something substantial to protect.

For Chicago sports fans, that changes the feeling around every game. A rivalry becomes more interesting when both sides have a season to save or a postseason position to defend.

The White Sox Have Changed the Conversation

The biggest surprise in this year’s Crosstown Classic is probably the White Sox.

Coming off a 102-loss season in 2025, Chicago’s South Side team was not expected to be leading the AL Central deep into the 2026 campaign.

Yet the White Sox have remained near the top of the division for much of the year and entered the Crosstown series after sweeping the Detroit Tigers.

The team’s overall improvement has not come from a single player.

The club added veteran pitcher Luis Castillo at the trade deadline, while younger players have helped give the lineup more life. Chase Meidroth, for example, entered the series as one of the team’s hottest hitters.

The Cubs remain the more established contender, but the White Sox are no longer simply waiting for their next rebuild to take shape. They have spent much of the season showing that they can compete now.

For fans who have followed Chicago baseball through the rougher years, that kind of turnaround can be more exciting than a flashy offseason signing. It is the sort of development that makes people check the standings every morning.

Why the Cubs Still Have the Edge

The Cubs have plenty of good reasons to feel confident, too.

Their 72-53 record gives them a significant advantage over the White Sox in the overall standings, and they have historically had the better results in recent Crosstown meetings.

The Cubs entered this series having won 11 of their previous 13 games against the Sox and six straight at Wrigley Field.

Chicago’s North Side club entered the latest matchup after losing three of its previous four games and dealing with an injury to shortstop Dansby Swanson.

Meanwhile, the White Sox were coming off their sweep of Detroit and carrying considerably more momentum.

Baseball can turn quickly. A pitching matchup, one defensive mistake, or one big swing can change an entire series. The Cubs have the stronger overall season, but the White Sox arrived with momentum and a division lead.

It is almost like watching a GPerya game where the result can turn on one quick moment, except here the stakes spread throughout an entire baseball season.

What Makes This Rivalry Different?

Chicago has no shortage of sports rivalries, but the Cubs and White Sox have something the city’s other major teams cannot quite replicate: they share the same sport and the same city while playing in different leagues.

The Cubs represent the National League and play at Wrigley Field on the North Side. The White Sox play in the American League on the South Side.

Fans do not just argue over which team is better. They often identify and resonate with a part of the city that they belong to.

The stakes become even more interesting when both clubs are competitive simultaneously. According to Bleed Cubbie Blue, the two teams have reached the postseason in the same year only three times: 1906, 2008, and the pandemic-shortened 2020 season.

A fourth occurrence in 2026 is therefore possible. The teams play in different leagues, and the postseason paths remain complicated.

But simply having both sides seriously involved in the playoff race creates a different kind of energy around Chicago baseball.

Why Chicago Baseball Is Worth Watching Right Now

The most interesting part of the 2026 baseball season may be that Chicago’s two teams are giving fans different reasons to pay attention.

The Cubs entered the Crosstown Classic as the stronger overall club, with a record that puts them firmly in contention. The White Sox, meanwhile, have turned what looked like another rebuilding season into a legitimate playoff chase.

You do not need to memorize every advanced statistic to understand what is happening. The Cubs are trying to maintain their position among the National League contenders. The White Sox are trying to prove that their dramatic improvement is real.

There is also something refreshing about watching a rivalry regain its competitive edge.

Chicago sports fans are used to passionate debates about the Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Cubs, and White Sox.

But baseball has a particularly long season, which means these teams have plenty of time to establish identities before October arrives.

Whether both clubs ultimately reach the postseason remains uncertain. What is already clear is that the 2026 Crosstown Classic carries more weight than it has in several recent seasons.

And for a city that loves arguing about sports, having both sides believe they have a case makes the conversation much more fun.

The post Why the 2026 Crosstown Classic Feels Different for Chicago Sports Fans appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Every year, there are great stories that stand out in Major League Baseball. None may be better in 2026, though, than the Chicago White Sox. After three seasons of 100+ losses, they are currently 65-58 and have a 5.5-game lead for first place in the American League Central Division.

Indeed, there have been many reasons for this team’s turnaround. New faces have brought a fresh perspective to the game, as well as some intense home run power.

However, the contributions of others that have persevered through the past three seasons should not be overlooked. Among those is Andrew Benintendi, who was long-believed to have one of the worst contracts in baseball.

He has not been too bad this year, though, as he is hitting .248/.311/.423 with 12 home runs and 60 RBI. While his home run total is not on par with what it has been, his 60 RBI have already matched his total from last season.

Andrew Benintendi gets praised as the Chicago White Sox land 8th in latest MLB power rankings

On Monday, MLB.com released their weekly power rankings. The White Sox came in slotted eighth, but with a special shoutout to Benintendi:

“It really, seriously, honestly, may be happening on the South Side. Their division lead is now 5 1/2 games after a sweep of the Tigers this weekend, the highest it has been since they won the division back in 2021. You know who has been nice for them this year? Andrew Benintendi. The player once considered to have one of the worst contracts in baseball is slashing .302/.362/.488 with seven RBIs in his past 15 games.”

Indeed, Benintendi is not going to get the same level of attention as Chicago’s star sluggers. That being said, if they are to have any hope of making a deep run in the postseason, they will be relying on Benintendi and other role players like him to elevate their performances.

Over the last 15 games, he has proven that he is capable of doing so. Hopefully it continues for the rest of the year and into October.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox winning weekend made even sweet by slugging duo’s feat
• White Sox release Eric Haase in favor of Jake Rogers
• Roch Cholowsky lands high on 1st MLB pipeline ranking since draft

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox weekend could not have gone any better. They swept the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park for the first time since 2022, by scores of 9-5, 4-3, and 7-5. Sunday’s win was particularly impressive as they were down 4-1 at one point, but stormed back in the fifth and sixth innings before adding on in seventh with a Munetaka Murakami two run blast and Miguel Vargas solo shot in the ninth.

For Murakami and Vargas, their home runs in Sunday’s game brought each of them to 28 on the season. According to ESPN’s Jesse Rogers, it marked the first time since 2019 that two White Sox hitters have each reached 28 home runs in the same season. The last duo to accomplish the feat was Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez.

In 2019, Abreu launched 33 home runs and Jimenez 31. With six weeks to go in the regular season yet, it is very realistic that Murakami and Vargas surpass what that duo did eight years ago.

The Chicago White Sox’s future is bright with young sluggers leading the way

As of August 16, the White Sox not only hold a 5.5-game lead in the American League Central, but they would also enter the playoffs as the No. 2 seed and earn a bye into the Division Series. The long ball has played a significant role in getting them there, with Chicago ranking fifth in the league with 164 home runs.

Beyond Murakami and Vargas, Colson Montgomery has also played a major role in Chicago’s power production, launching 26 home runs so far this season. And there is even more power waiting in the minor leagues. Outfield prospect Caleb Bonemer has already hit 30 home runs this year, while No. 1 overall pick Roch Cholowsky possesses 60-grade power, according to his scouting evaluations.

All that said, the White Sox’s recent success has been fueled in large part by the power of their young hitters, and there is plenty of reason to believe that trend can continue. Murakami, Vargas and Montgomery have already established themselves as legitimate home run threats, while prospects like Bonemer and Cholowsky could add even more power to the lineup in the years ahead.

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The solution to the Chicago White Sox’s catching situation in 2026 remains a mystery. Kyle Teel has been unavailable for much of the season after suffering an injury during the World Baseball Classic, followed by another setback during his rehab assignment. He is once again sidelined as he continues working his way back from an ankle sprain.

Trade-deadline acquisition Joey Bart is also currently out with a hand fracture, adding to the uncertainty behind the plate. Bart was acquired after Drew Romo and Edgar Quero failed to establish themselves as reliable options, while Eric Haase had been added on a minor league deal before the trade.

Following Bart’s injury, it appeared Haase could be in line for a call-up, but the White Sox instead released him despite posting a 1.027 OPS over a week of games with Chicago’s Triple-A affiliate. Following up Haase’s release was Chicago claiming catcher Jake Rogers off waivers from the Boston Red Sox, in which he is expected to officially join the club later today, August 15.

Chicago White Sox make head-scratching waiver claim at catcher by adding Jake Rogers

Once Rogers arrives, he will be added to the White Sox’s 40-man roster and active roster. According to MLB reporter Francys Romero, Quero is expected to be the odd man out once again, with another option to the minor leagues potentially on the horizon. Interestingly, Quero has swung the bat well in August, going 7-for-16 across five games, but recently came under scrutiny for allegedly tipping pitches during a series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Hearing that Edgar Quero will be optioned again to make room for Jake Rogers.

— Francys Romero (@FrancysRomero) August 15, 2026

Rogers, a 31-year-old catcher, owns a .617 OPS this season after spending time with the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and White Sox. On paper, he does not appear to be the long-term solution behind the plate and instead looks more like another stopgap until Teel returns in the coming weeks. Regardless, it is surprising that Rogers will get the opportunity over Haase, who offers more offensive upside and had been swinging the bat well in the minors.

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It has been one month since Roch Cholowsky was selected first overall by the Chicago White Sox in the 2026 MLB Draft. The 21 year old shortstop has wasted no time getting his professional career started as he reported to High-A Winston Salem and has already appeared in seven games. Cholowsky already has his first home run as a pro, after hitting 52 over his college career, including 21 this year.

Being the No.1 overall pick, there is significant hype and expectations surrounding Cholowsky. That said, MLB Pipeline just released their new top 100 prospect rankings, which includes players taken in this year’s draft. Cholowsky came in at No.11 overall, with three total White Sox players making the list. Caleb Bonemer came in at No.30 and Billy Carlson No.62.

Roch Cholowsky lands as baseball’s No.11 overall prospect on MLB Pipeline’s first rankings since draft

Interestingly, Cholowsky narrowly missed the top 10 prospects in baseball, with Grady Emerson ranking ahead of him despite being selected No. 2 overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in this year’s draft. That said, Cholowsky is older, more polished, and has a MLB ETA of 2027 whereas Emerson is three years younger and has a MLB ETA of 2029.

With roughly a month remaining in the minor league season, it will be interesting to see how Cholowsky performs. In his first week, he went 5-for-30 with three extra-base hits. He also stole three bases, while striking out seven times and drawing five walks.

Regardless of how the remainder of this season plays out, his performance in 2027 will be far more telling after the whirlwind of a year that saw him transition from college baseball to the professional ranks. If he does make his big league debut next year, as MLB Pipeline suggests, it likely would not be until later in the season, as Chicago has no reason to rush him up given their current influx of young talent on the roster currently.

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Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth has been absent the last two games. He missed the series finale on Sunday against the Cleveland Guardians and sat out again during the opener Tuesday against the Cincinnati Reds. At this time frame it is unclear how long he will remain out of the lineup for, but by all accounts the issue appears to be minor.

Left wrist issue has sidelined Chicago White Sox second baseman Chase Meidroth

When speaking with reporters, Meidroth said he initially injured his wrist on a swing last Friday. He played the following day, but the discomfort continued to worsen. Rather than risk making the injury worse by continuing to play through it, the decision was made to give him some time off and try to “nip it in the bud” before it became a bigger issue.

Chase Meidroth is dealing with a lingering left wrist issue that will keep him out of the lineup again tonight for the #WhiteSox but doesn’t believe it’s a long term thing:@thekapman pic.twitter.com/lDcAXtvkTk

— Ryan McGuffey (@RyanMcGuffey) August 11, 2026

While no official diagnosis has been provided for Meidroth’s wrist issue, he did indicate that he underwent an MRI and received a cortisone injection. More importantly, he confirmed that he does not have a hamate fracture, a relatively common wrist injury among baseball players that can result in an extended absence and often requires surgery.

For now, the hope is that the combination of rest and the cortisone injection will be enough to get Meidroth’s wrist feeling better without turning this into a prolonged absence. For a White Sox team counting on Meidroth, the priority now is simple: give his wrist the time it needs to heal now and have him on the field for the stretch run of the season and hopefully the post season.

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A week ago, the Chicago White Sox were quite active in the trade department before the August 3 trade deadline. One of the deals they struck was with the Seattle Mariners, bringing in much needed starting pitching help by adding veteran Luis Castillo. However, he was quite costly, having to part ways with MLB reliever Seranthony Dominguez, catching prospect Boston Smith, and outfielder Nolan Jones in the process.

Among the players involved in the deal, Smith was one of the more intriguing names, having put together a breakout campaign. The 23-year-old was acquired from the Washington Nationals in March as part of the Curtis Mead trade and had only been selected in the sixth round of the 2025 MLB Draft. That made 2026 his first season of professional baseball, but at the plate he is making quite the name for himself.

Former Chicago White Sox catching prospect Boston Smith had an incredible first week in the Seattle Mariners organization

Before the trade, Smith had already launched 22 home runs across Low-A, High-A and Double-A. Eight of those came during his brief 23-game stint at the Double-A level with Chicago. Since joining Seattle’s Double-A affiliate, however, his power has gone to another level, as he added five home runs in his first week alone to push his season total to 27.

Boston Smith hits his 4th HR this week. pic.twitter.com/LreB4rRkze

— Mariners Minors (@MiLBMariners) August 9, 2026

During Smith’s incredible week, he homered in three consecutive games before putting together a multi-home run performance on Sunday, Aug. 9. His dominant stretch was enough to earn him Texas League Player of the Week honors, capping off an impressive first week with Seattle’s Double-A affiliate.

For a player in his first professional season, Smith’s rapid rise has been remarkable. The Mariners are now getting a firsthand look at the power that made him such an intriguing prospect, while Chicago has to watch from afar as one of the players it moved at the deadline continues to make a name for himself.

The post Prospect White Sox parted with at 2026 trade deadline rapidly adds to home run total in first week with new organization appeared first on ChiCitySports.

Chicago White Sox first-year manager Will Venable has played a major role in the team’s remarkable turnaround this season. The White Sox have spent 57 days in first place and currently hold a 3.5-game lead in the American League Central. They also sit alone as the No. 2 seed in the American League playoff picture, with the three teams ahead of them record wise all coming from the AL East, meaning the non-division winners would be Wild Card teams if the playoffs started today.

One of the teams currently ahead of Chicago in the standings is the Boston Red Sox, who have been one of baseball’s hottest teams over the past month. Boston recently went on a historic 27-3 run, winning nine consecutive series while putting together winning streaks of 15 and nine games. Before this surge, they were 10 games under .500, but now they sit at 64-53, having just had their streak of series wins snapped after surprisingly dropping a weekend series to the Athletics.

The turnaround is even more impressive considering Boston fired manager Alex Cora after a 10-17 start and replaced him with Triple-A manager Chad Tracy. Despite stepping into a difficult situation, Tracy has done an excellent job helping turn the season around, and his work may have now pushed him ahead of Venable in the Manager of the Year race.

Will Venable and Chad Tracy headline tight 2026 AL Manager of the Year race

The Manager of the Year award often goes to the skipper who leads his team well beyond preseason expectations. So far, Venable has done exactly that, but his work is far from finished with 45 games remaining in the regular season.

If the White Sox can maintain their position and finish the season being playoff bound, Venable’s case becomes especially compelling. Doing so as a first-year manager while helping turn around one of the losingest franchises in baseball history would give him a strong argument to take home the award.

However, not everyone may see it that way. Bob Nightengale reported in his Sunday Notebook that Venable is no longer considered the favorite, with Tracy overtaking him following Boston’s historic surge.

The biggest argument against Tracy may be that the Red Sox were expected to be competitive entering the season and are now simply playing closer to those preseason expectations. Venable, meanwhile, took over a White Sox team without nearly the same expectations and has helped lead Chicago far beyond what many anticipated.

Regardless, there is still plenty of baseball left to be played, and how each manager fairs down the stretch will factor into who wins the award.

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Munetaka Murakami has played a major role in the Chicago White Sox’s success in 2026. The 26-year-old rookie arrived in MLB as an accomplished slugger in Japan and has continued to show off that power, homering in each of his last two games, and bringing his season total to 26 overall.

His latest long ball helped propel Chicago to its 60th win of the season, a crucial 6-3 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. With Cleveland lurking in the American League Central race, Murakami’s recent production could prove especially important as the White Sox push toward the postseason.

Perhaps lost amid the home-run headlines is just how consistently Murakami has gotten on base since returning from the injured list. After being activated on July 10 following a hamstring strain, Murakami has reached base in all 24 games he has played, putting together his longest streak of his season.

Munetaka Murakami has reached base safely in every contest since being activated off the IL on July 10

Over his last 24 games, Murakami is slashing .231/.352/.495, collecting 21 hits, including six doubles and six home runs, while drawing 17 walks. He also put together an 11-game hitting streak from July 24 through Aug. 4, further highlighting the consistency he has shown since returning from the injured list.

While Murakami’s home-run power has understandably continued to grab the headlines, his ability to consistently reach base should not get lost. Before his stint on IL, he had shown extreme patience at the plate and an ability to get on base, but he’s been on a whole new level over the last month.

The post Munetaka Murakami riding season-best 24 game on-base streak since IL return appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox have hit a bit of a rough patch lately, going 4-6 over their last 10 games. That stretch includes a season-long four-game losing streak, and one issue in particular has become increasingly difficult to ignore: the pitching staff could use some reinforcements.

The struggles have been especially evident during the current skid, with Chicago being outscored 38-15 over the four-game stretch. As the offense has failed to keep pace, the need for more reliable pitching has only become more apparent.

According to a report from Ian Eskridge of Future Sox, and later confirmed by MLB reporter Scott Merkin, Chicago is calling up its top two pitching prospects: LHP Hagen Smith and RHP Tanner McDougal. Smith is currently the organizations No.2 prospect and McDougal No.4.

Can confirm this report from @dailywhitesox per baseball source. https://t.co/dnr8nEtKz7

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) August 8, 2026

Per reports, the Chicago White Sox are calling up LHP Hagen Smith and RHP Tanner McDougal

While the organization has not yet confirmed the corresponding move, the White Sox will need to clear a spot on the 40-man roster for Smith. McDougal is currently on the 40-man after being added last offseason to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft, but, like Smith, he has yet to make his MLB debut. In another report, from James Fox at Future Sox and Just Baseball Media, Noah Schultz and David Sandlin will be optioned to Triple-A in order to make room for this pair of pitchers.

Need a 40-man spot for Hagen Smith. Noah Schultz and David Sandlin optioned to @KnightsBaseball sources confirmed to @FutureSox and @JustBB_Media. #WhiteSox https://t.co/uP0znXiH0Q

— James Fox (@JamesFox917) August 8, 2026

Hopefully the combination of Smith and McDougal can provide the White Sox some stability from the pitching front. Smith has exceptional swing and miss stuff, and McDougal has exceptional velocity that is capable of hitting triple digits. Chicago needs a pitcher to “catch fire” per say, and hopefully one or both of these players can do so.

The post No.2 and No.4 White Sox prospects being promoted to MLB (report) appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox shook up their outfield ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. Chicago acquired Brenton Doyle, a former Gold Glove Award winner who has struggled offensively, while also parting ways with Everson Pereira and Austin Hays as the club reshaped its roster and made room for their other additions.

After being designated for assignment, Pereira was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals, while Hays went unclaimed and was subsequently released, making him a free agent. With those departures creating a need for additional organizational depth, Chris Getz wasted little time addressing the outfield.

Chicago White Sox sign outfielder Joey Wiemer to a minor league deal

The White Sox signed former third-round pick Joey Wiemer, giving the organization another experienced outfield option in the minor leagues. The move provides valuable depth in case injuries arise at the major league level while also giving Wiemer an opportunity to get his career back on track.

After a scorching start to the 2026 season with the Washington Nationals, that saw Wiemer reach base in all 10 of his first plate appearances, he eventually settled into a platoon role against left-handed pitching. He continued to produce, posting a solid .286/.398/.512 slash line in the majors.

His results in the minor leagues, however, have been a much different story. Wiemer has struggled to find the same consistency, slashing just .196/.277/.257 this season. The White Sox now have added him to the organization to be called upon in the case of an emergency.

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The Chicago White Sox suffered a heartbreaking loss to the Boston Red Sox on Thursday night, falling 12-11 in dramatic fashion. Chicago raced out to a 4-0 lead and seemed in control for much of the game, holding advantages of 5-2, 7-5, 9-7, 10-9, and 11-10.

But Boston refused to go away. In the bottom of the 13th inning, Caleb Durbin delivered the decisive blow, lining a walk-off single to center field to complete the Red Sox’s comeback. This White Sox loss was not only a crushing defeat, but it marked the third consecutive game they have dropped while also losing 2026 trade deadline addition Joey Bart in the process.

Chicago White Sox 2026 trade deadline addition Joey Bart broke his hand on a hit by pitch

The White Sox’s difficult night became even worse in the seventh inning when newly acquired catcher Joey Bart was hit on the left hand by a pitch from reliever Erik Miller. Bart was unable to finish the at-bat and was replaced by Drew Romo.

Afterwards, the White Sox announced that Bart had suffered a fractured fifth metacarpal in his left hand. The injury puts his availability for the remainder of the season in serious doubt and is a significant setback for Chicago just days after acquiring him at the trade deadline.

This will probably end Joey Bart’s season. Sucks as we just got him pic.twitter.com/NiqT61tnyU

— Herb Lawrence (@Ecnerwal23) August 7, 2026

Bart was acquired from the Atlanta Braves at the trade deadline in exchange for right-handed pitcher Duncan Davitt. Although he remains under team control through the 2027 season, he was Chicago’s immediate thought to upgrade its offense behind the plate while Kyle Teel continues to recover from a high ankle sprain as Bart was viewed to be a clear offensive improvement over Drew Romo and Edgar Quero.

Now, Teel’s recovery timeline carries even greater importance. The organization has been targeting an early September return, but with Bart sidelined indefinitely, getting its top catching prospect back as soon as he’s healthy becomes even more critical.

With the trade deadline behind them, Chicago’s alternative options over the next month are limited. One possibility is promoting veteran Eric Haase, who signed a minor league deal on July 28 and has started his Triple-A stint with eight hits in his first six games. While not officially announced by the team, baseball reporter Francys Romero has indicated that Quero is getting called up in light of Bart’s injury.

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The Chicago White Sox are 59-54 on the season so far. While they have lost two games in a row, fortunately the two teams closest to them in the American League Central Division have longer losing streaks. As a result, the White Sox still hold a 3.5-game lead in their division.

Indeed, very few people, if anyone, saw Chicago being a position to buy at the deadline prior to the start of the 2026 MLB season. However, the young core of players that the organization has assembled has helped the rebuild progress faster than expected.

To that end, Chicago did add several pieces ahead of the MLB trade deadline. However, those moves left a little to be desired for one key reason.

The Chicago White Sox were named a loser of the MLB trade deadline

The biggest move that Chicago made was the acquisition of three-time All-Star starting pitcher Luis Castillo. He certainly gives the White Sox needed depth in their rotation, but is also having a down year. What is more, they had to give up a pretty significant package of prospects in order to pry Castillo away from the Seattle Mariners.

For this reason, The Athletic has determined that the White Sox are one of the losers of the trade deadline:

“The White Sox were busier than just about everybody in the last week, but because most moves amounted to little more than better depth, their deadline will be defined by the Luis Castillo trade. Not only did GM Chris Getz take on the $30 million left on the contract of an aging starter with a 5.06 ERA this season, but he parted with a real prospect to do so.

“It’s unclear where catcher/outfielder Boston Smith will land on the diamond, but it’s not hard to see that the kid can hit. Seattle is happy to have him.

“The White Sox roster is better than it was a week ago — Huascar Brazobán strengthens the bullpen; Brenton Doyle fills out a Gold Glove platoon in center; Joey Bart eases a need at catcher while Kyle Teel is hurt — but there was no big win to make up for the Castillo overpay.”

As one can see, there are no real concerns about the quality of players Chicago acquired outside of Castillo. The Athletic acknowledges the White Sox are a better team now after the deadline than they were before it.

However, trading for Castillo is a huge risk, and giving up one of their better prospects to get him could come back to bite them. Hopefully the three-time All-Star can find his form again in Chicago and make it worth the team’s sacrifice.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox trade deadline move called “surprisingly significant”
• White Sox named a loser of the 2026 MLB trade deadline
• 1 thing every White Sox acquisition has in common

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox came out of the MLB trade deadline having addressed every need that they wanted to. At 59-53, Chicago is clinging to a three-game lead in the American League Central Division. It is their hope, obviously, that they are able to hold on and make the postseason this year.

2026 has truly been a surprise for White Sox fans, who did not expect their team to compete for a few more years. Similarly, one particular move they made ahead of the MLB trade deadline took a lot of people by surprise.

Chicago White Sox acquisition of Luis Castillo named a significant surprise

One of the trades that Chicago made was for three-time All-Star starting pitcher Luis Castillo. While he does have a good resume, Castillo is having a dismal season this year, and currently is 3-9 with a 5.06 ERA.

Starting pitching remains a concern for the White Sox, and adding a pitcher with an ERA over 5.00 with another year on his contract was a huge question mark for many.

Indeed, MLB.com named the Castillo trade one of the “significant surprises” of the deadline:

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox named a loser of the 2026 MLB trade deadline
• The 1 thing every White Sox acquisition has in common
• Kyle Teel’s injury timeline justifies White Sox catcher acquisition

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox came into the final weekend before the MLB trade deadline looking to fulfill multiple needs on their roster. They made no secret of the fact that they wanted a starting pitcher, a reliever, an outfielder, and a catcher. Injuries and inconsistent performances have affected all of those roles all season long. In order to maintain their lead in American League Central Division, they needed to improve these areas.

But while the White Sox were able to add a player to address each of those needs, there are some who believe they could have done better.

ESPN named the Chicago White Sox of the losers of the MLB trade deadline

ESPN is among the hardest critics of what Chicago did ahead of the trade deadline. In their article documenting winners and losers of one of the busiest weekends in baseball, they named the White Sox one of the latter:

“The White Sox are ahead of schedule, so it’s understandable why they weren’t more aggressive, but they didn’t do much to improve the team. Castillo hasn’t been that good with the Seattle Mariners and will cost $24 million next year. Brenton Doyle is a good defensive outfielder but can’t hit.

“Huascar Brazoban might help the bullpen, but there were more impactful relievers who were traded. Joey Bart might help only because Chicago’s catching situation has been so bad (last in the majors in the offense).”

The positive thing that many point to about the new White Sox players is that they are all under club control for next year. However, if they do not improve on their play from their previous teams, that may end up being a terrible thing for Chicago.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• The 1 thing every White Sox acquisition has in common
• Kyle Teel’s injury timeline justifies White Sox catcher acquisition
• White Sox add C Joey Bart just ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

The post Chicago White Sox named a loser of the 2026 MLB trade deadline appeared first on ChiCitySports.

The Chicago White Sox were among the busiest teams at this year’s trade deadline. Between Aug. 2 and the 5 p.m. CT deadline on Aug. 3, they acquired four players: right-hander Luis Castillo, reliever Huascar Brazoban, center fielder Brenton Doyle, and catcher Joey Bart.

To complete those deals, the White Sox parted with reliever Seranthony Domínguez, catcher Boston Smith, outfielder Nolan Jones, pitchers Gabe Davis, Zach Franklin, Mason Adams, and Duncan Davitt, as well as shortstop Carlos Vielma.

All told, general manager Chris Getz addressed every area he identified as a priority without dismantling the farm system he has spent years rebuilding. By strengthening the major league roster while preserving much of the organization’s prospect depth, the White Sox have positioned themselves to compete not only this season but for years to come.

Perhaps most importantly, each of Getz’s four trade acquisitions remains under team control beyond 2026, reinforcing that these moves were made with both the present and the future in mind.

All four of the Chicago White Sox 2026 trade acquisitions are under team control for multiple more seasons

Thirty-three-year-old Luis Castillo is under contract beyond this season after signing a five-year, $108 million deal with the Seattle Mariners. Following his trade to the White Sox, he is owed $24.15 million in 2027 and has a $25 million vesting option for 2028 that will trigger if he reaches 180 innings pitched in 2027.

Huascar Brazoban, who is already 36 years old, also provides long-term value, despite his age. He remains under team control for three additional seasons beyond 2026, all years of arbitration, giving the White Sox another controllable arm in the back end of their bullpen.

• Related: Newest White Sox Huascar Brazoban has underdog story Chicago fans will love 

In the outfield, Brenton Doyle also has three years of arbitration left before free agency and catcher Joey Bart is under control through the 2027 season.

Taken together, those contract situations reveal a clear theme with Chris Getz’s trade deadline strategy. Rather than adding short-term rentals, the White Sox targeted players who can contribute immediately while remaining part of the club’s core beyond this season.

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A few weeks ago, Kyle Teel suffered a high ankle sprain while attempting to apply a tag at home plate. Given that it was already his third injury of the season, and with how much pain he appeared to be in afterwards, many feared the White Sox rookie’s year could be over.

The uncertainty surrounding Teel’s recovery, and poor performances of those at the position this year, ended up influencing general manager Chris Getz’s approach at the trade deadline. With Chicago’s remaining catching options providing little offensive production, adding help behind the plate became a clear priority. Getz ended up adding veteran Joey Bart, who is a former second overall selection by the San Francisco Giants in 2018.

In 2026 alone, Chicago will be the third organization for Bart. He began the campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates, was dealt to the Atlanta Braves in June, and then most recently to the White Sox. Among fans, the move was viewed as a low-risk transaction, one that doesn’t look like an obvious solution to their problem, but certainly could pan out if the talented catcher finds lighting in a bottle with yet a new organization.

Amid all the trade deadline excitement, one important update may have flown under the radar. According to James Fegan, the White Sox believe Teel is roughly four weeks away from returning, putting him on track to return around September 1.

The Chicago White Sox are not only confident Kyle Teel will return in 2026, but he will continue to be their guy at catcher

There is little doubt that Teel remains the White Sox’s catcher of the future. However, after three separate injuries this season, the organization could have opted to shut him down and turn its attention to 2027. Instead, the White Sox reiterated their confidence that he will not only return before the end of the season, but they hinted that he will be their guy behind the plate.

Chris Getz said for Kyle Teel’s return to action:

“Sept. 1 is kind of a rough timeline. As we move along, further along from when the injury happened, we’ll get a better idea. He will be back this season. I think we’re confident in that, and that’s a big boost too.”

— James Fegan (@JRFegan) August 3, 2026

That perspective helps explain the modest acquisition of Joey Bart. Rather than replacing Teel, Bart gives Chicago a short-term option while Teel recovers, adding needed depth without altering the organization’s long-term plans. Additionally, Bart remains under team control after this season as well, meaning the two could continue to work together after this year.

For Teel, this injury-plagued season has undoubtedly been frustrating, but he can continue his rehabilitation knowing the organization still views him as a key piece of its playoff push. The White Sox have made it clear they expect him to reclaim the starting catcher role once he’s healthy, giving him the opportunity to return for the stretch run and, potentially, experience postseason baseball.

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The Chicago White Sox approached the Major League Baseball’s trade deadline with three goals in mind. First they wanted to add a starting pitcher. They accomplished this by acquiring three-time All-Star Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners. They also got reliever Huascar Brazoban from the New York Mets.

Additionally, Chicago wanted to get some quality outfield depth. This they accomplished by trading for outfielder Brenton Doyle from the Colorado Rockies.

All that was left was finding a catcher, and this they did in a last-minute deal with Atlanta Braves.

The Chicago White Sox have traded for catcher Joey Bart

In the final minutes before the MLB trade deadline, it was reported that the White Sox have added catcher Joey Bart, whom they have acquired from the Atlanta Braves:

The White Sox finally get the catching help they’ve been looking for, acquiring Joey Bart from the Braves for RHP Duncan Davitt, per source.

— Mark Feinsand (@Feinsand) August 3, 2026

Chicago is sending Duncan Davitt to Atlanta. Davitt, a relief pitcher, was recently recalled from Triple-A following the Castillo trade.

Bart fills a dire need for the White Sox, who have been struggling to find consistent offense at the catcher position all season long. Kyle Teel missed the first few months of the season, and then struggled at the plate before going on the injured list again.

Edgar Quero has not been the answer.

Hopefully, Bart will have more success with the White Sox than he has throughout the majority of his career. This season, he is hitting just .226/.303/.477 with four home runs and 13 RBI.

This is actually the second time Bart has been traded this season. The Pittsburgh Pirates traded him to Atlanta back on June 18. His numbers with Atlanta are even worse (.188/.316/.375).

A former second overall pick by the San Francisco Giants, Bart has all the potential in the world. Hopefully Chicago can help him realize it.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox shockingly named possible trade destination for Mason Miller
• Sky guard Jacy Sheldon turns heads at White Sox game
• White Sox add 9-year MLB veteran catcher ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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With the success the Chicago White Sox have had this season, they put themselves in a spot to be a buyer at the MLB Trade Deadline. Going into Monday’s deadline, the White Sox have a three-game lead in the AL Central and are looking to get even better.

Chicago has already made a few big moves, headlined by acquiring Luis Castillo over the weekend. That helped the White Sox rotation for their postseason push. Now, they are adding another player to the outfield.

On Monday, the White Sox agreed to a deal to acquire outfielder Brenton Doyle from the Colorado Rockies. Chicago will send right-hander Mason Adams and shortstop Carlos Vielma to Colorado in the deal.

White Sox acquiring CF Brenton Doyle from the Rockies, sources tell me and @WillSammon

— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) August 3, 2026

Chicago White Sox make buy low deal to acquire Brenton Doyle

The addition of Doyle is huge defensively for the White Sox. He’s a two-time gold glove winner and a really good option in center field for the White Sox. He now gives them a good option to put in the outfield to showcase his defense.

On offense, he’s still a work in progress.  Here is what MLB Trade Rumors wrote on the deal to send Doyle to Chicago:

In 129 plate appearances this year, he’s batting just .214/.287/.282 with a single home run. Doyle is striking out at a 32.6% clip, and 54.8% of his batted balls are on the ground, a marked increase from 46.2% last year and 41.0% in his solid 2024 season. He is walking at a career-best 9.3% rate, but that’s about the only thing going well for him at the dish.

In that 2024 season, Doyle produced a line of .260/.317/.446 in just over 600 plate appearances. He struck out at a more manageable 25.4% clip while showing decent power and speed, including 23 home runs and 30 stolen bases. The end result was a 97 wRC+, indicating that Doyle was 3% below league average when adjusting for Coors Field.

Chicago may not be done adding at the deadline just yet.

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The Chicago White Sox entered the 2026 trade deadline as buyers, a dramatic shift after years of rebuilding. Following several difficult seasons spent trading established veterans for young prospects, the organization’s long-term plan is finally coming to fruition, and Chris Getz is rewarding the club by acquiring players that will help position the club to not only contend for a playoff berth, but make a legitimate post season run.

With the trade deadline set to pass later this afternoon, Getz has already been busy reshaping the White Sox roster. He began with lower-profile additions, acquiring José Urquidy and signing Eric Haase to a minor league deal, before making a much bigger splash by landing Luis Castillo, a move that immediately strengthens Chicago’s starting rotation.

The Castillo trade came at the cost of reliever Seranthony Domínguez, who was sent to Seattle, creating an opening in the White Sox bullpen. Getz wasted little time addressing that need, acquiring Huascar Brazoban from the New York Mets in exchange for pitching prospects Gabe Davis and Zach Franklin.

Brazboan, age 36, is currently in the middle of his best MLB season yet, a journey that began at age 32. This year, he owns a 2.61 ERA with 47 strikeouts and 22 walks over 51.2 innings pitched. He should immediately slide in as a high leverage reliever as his 96 MPH sinker and devastating changeup, one opposing batters are whiffing on 30% of the time this year, has been dialed in all year.

Newest Chicago White Sox addition Huascar Brazoban has an amazing underdog story

Brazobán’s road to the major leagues was anything but conventional. He didn’t make his MLB debut until 2022, when he broke through with the Miami Marlins at 32 years old.

His journey began after signing with the Colorado Rockies as an international free agent in 2012, but reaching the majors required years of perseverance. Along the way, he pitched in the Venezuelan Winter League, Dominican Winter League, and independent baseball, remaining outside affiliated baseball as recently as 2021 before finally earning an opportunity with Miami.

Since breaking through, Brazoban has looked the part in the Majors. He owns a career 3.49 ERA across 258 big league innings. He also have 42 holds and two saves under his belt, further proof that he should make an immediate impact in the White Sox bullpen. Under team control through the 2029 season, Brazoban could remain a key fixture for years to come yet, which may be why the Mets received two prospects in return for his services this year.

Overall, Brazobán’s story is one built on perseverance. After spending a decade grinding through the minors, winter leagues, and independent baseball before finally reaching the majors at 32, he has never taken his opportunity for granted. In many ways, that journey mirrors the White Sox’s own path. After years of enduring losses, rebuilding the organization from the ground up, and waiting for young talent to develop, Chicago has finally emerged as a contender. Now, their paths intersect at the perfect time, with both hoping their perseverance is rewarded by a deep postseason run.

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The Chicago White Sox were expected to be buyers ahead of the Major League Baseball trade deadline. While the deadline has not yet passed, Chicago has already proven that they are, indeed, trying to improve their roster. At 58-52, the White Sox are the only team in the American League Central Division with a winning record. Of course, they want to maintain their lead.

It is no secret that, in order to remain competitive this year, Chicago needs both pitching and catching help. On Saturday night, they addressed one of these needs, which caused a domino effect on their active roster.

The Chicago White Sox move Erick Fedde to the bullpen after acquiring Luis Castillo

On Saturday night, it was announced that the White Sox had acquired three-time All-Star starting pitcher Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners. In order to get him, they had to give up reliever Seranthony Dominguez, Nolan Jones, and catching prospect Boston Smith.

Adding Castillo gave them an All-Star caliber starter (in theory), but the return package they had to give up left a hole in the bullpen. To address this, Chicago decided to move Erick Fedde to the pen:

Will Venable said with the trade, they’re moving Erick Fedde to the bullpen. #whitesox

— Brooke Fletcher (@BrookeFletcher) August 2, 2026

Castillo is having a down year, and is just 3-9 with a 5.06 ERA. The hope, of course, is that a change of scenery will help him return to form.

Fedde, meanwhile is 6-6 with a 4.13 ERA in 22 games (12 starts).

The White Sox also announced that they have recalled right-handed pitcher Duncan Davitt from Triple-A.

Prior to today’s game at Tampa Bay, the Chicago White Sox recalled right-handed pitcher Duncan Davitt from Class AAA Charlotte.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) August 2, 2026

Davitt pitched in one game for the White Sox already this year (his Major League debut) and did not give up a run in one inning of work.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox shockingly named possible trade destination for Mason Miller
• Sky guard Jacy Sheldon turns heads at White Sox game
• White Sox add 9-year MLB veteran catcher ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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At 58-52, the Chicago White Sox are the only team in the American League Central Division with a record over .500. They currently have a three-game lead over the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians, while the Detroit Tigers (who have won two games in a row), are 5.5 games back.

It would appear, though, that the Tigers have waved the white flag on their season. On Saturday night, they traded two-time AL Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal to the Los Angeles Dodgers. What is more, they are expected to trade more of their players ahead of Monday’s deadline.

For their part, the White Sox made a trade last night, though not as notable of one as fans may have wanted.

Chicago White Sox general manager Chris Getz does not want to part with top prospects’

Last night, it was reported that Chicago had acquired three-time All-Star Luis Castillo from the Seattle Mariners. The White Sox sent reliever Seranthony Dominguez, Nolan Jones, and catching prospect Boston Smith to the Mariners in return.

Castillo has made 20 starts this year, but is just 3-9 with a 5.06 ERA. He is, though, under club control through next season.

On Sunday, White Sox general manager Chris Getz revealed that they were not and are not in the market for any rentals that would cost them any top prospects.

According to Chicago insider Jesse Rogers, Getz said, “When you’re having these conversations about potential rental starters or controllable starters and you get an idea of what the cost is going to be, and candidly, with some of these meaningful rental starters that will be available here in the next day or so, we didn’t want to go into our top 100 prospects.”

Castillo may not have been on many fans’ radars, especially considering he is having a down year. But the White Sox have turned their ship around quite quickly and, at this point, should be given the benefit of the doubt.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox shockingly named possible trade destination for Mason Miller
• Sky guard Jacy Sheldon turns heads at White Sox game
• White Sox add 9-year MLB veteran catcher ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are 58-52 on the season and hold a 2.5 game lead in the American League Central Division. As they prepare for an unexpected playoff push, it is clear that the team is in need of starting pitching and catching help.

On Saturday night, they addressed one of those needs, agreeing to a trade with the Seattle Mariners for a three-time All-star starting pitcher.

The Chicago White Sox acquire Luis Castillo in a trade with the Seattle Mariners

As first reported on X by ESPN’s Jeff Passan, the White Sox have acquired three-time All-Star pitcher Luis Castillo:

BREAKING: The Chicago White Sox are acquiring right-hander Luis Castillo in a trade with the Seattle Mariners for reliever Seranthony Dominguez, outfielder Nolan Jones and catching prospect Boston Smith, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) August 2, 2026

In order to get Castillo, Chicago had to send reliever Seranthony Dominguez, Nolan Jones, and catching prospect Boston Smith.

Castillo is having a down year in Seattle. Leading up to the trade, he was 3-9 with a 5.06 ERA in 20 games (17 starts). This is a huge plummet in production from 2025, when he was 11-8 with a 3.54 ERA.

He was last an All-Star in 2023 when he went 14-9 with a 3.34 ERA in 33 starts for the Mariners.

In his career, Castillo is 87-93 with a 3.65 ERA. He spent the first five-and-a-half years with the Cincinnati Reds before being traded to Seattle in 2022. That was the year he made his second career All-Star team. In 25 starts between the Reds and Mariners, he was 8-6 with a 2.99 ERA.

Castillo’s first All-Star season was in 2019 when he was 15-8 with a 3.40 ERA.

In 2021, he led the Major Leagues in losses, going 8-16 with a 3.98 ERA.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox shockingly named possible trade destination for Mason Miller
• Sky guard Jacy Sheldon turns heads at White Sox game
• White Sox add 9-year MLB veteran catcher ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are 58-52 on the season following their 1-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday. As of this writing, they still hold a 2.5 game lead in the American League Central Division.

This is a huge weekend in Major League Baseball because the trade deadline lands on Monday. The White Sox are a surprise contender this year, and for the first time in a while will be buyers at the deadline as opposed to sellers.

As the trade deadline nears, Chicago is in need of both pitching and catching. A recent trade proposal would solve both problems.

Trade proposal with the Cincinnati Reds would give the Chicago White Sox 2 pitchers and a catcher

Bleacher Report recently published an article in which they proposed a trade for every team that is believed to be buyers at the deadline. For the White Sox, they suggested a trade would would bring pitchers Brady Singer and Brock Burke as well as catcher Tyler Stephenson to Chicago:

“The White Sox are known to be looking for rotation help and catching depth after Kyle Teel was injured, and every contender can use more quality bullpen pieces, so this is a quantity package that addresses multiple needs.

“Singer has been hit-and-miss, but with a 4.24 ERA in 962.2 career innings, there is a long enough track record of production to believe he can potentially be a playoff starter. Stephenson is a league-average hitter who can handle a staff, while Burke has a 2.61 ERA over an NL-leading 56 appearances.”

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox shockingly named possible trade destination for Mason Miller
• Sky guard Jacy Sheldon turns heads at White Sox game
• White Sox add 9-year MLB veteran catcher ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are 55-51 on the season, good for first place in the American League Central Division. They currently have a 1.5-game lead over the Cleveland Guardians with just a little over two months remaining in the regular season.

Obviously, the division is still wide open. However, the fact that the White Sox are even in a position to be in the conversation this year (after three consecutive 100+ loss seasons) is nothing short of amazing. Clearly, they are further ahead in their rebuild than many believed they were.

And with the MLB trade deadline looming, Chicago is poised to be serious buyers for the first time in a while.

The Chicago White Sox named a possible landing spot for Mason Miller

One of the areas in which the White Sox must see improvement if they are to continue contending in 2026 is the bullpen. Obviously, Mason Miller, the two-time All-Star closer from the San Diego Padres, is the most high-profile name on the trade market as the MLB deadline nears.

It is not yet known whether or not Miller will even be moved, but if he is, Fox Sports believes that Chicago is a possible destination:

“Acquiring Miller would give the White Sox their undisputed closer, taking the burden off younger/less experienced relievers like Bryan Hudson and Grant Taylor to shut the door. Plus, veteran Seranthony Domínguez, who owns a 4.21 ERA and is 12 of 17 in save situations for Chicago, previously found more success in a setup role with the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays.”

Miller, who has a 0.81 ERA and 27 saves so far this season, would give Chicago the chance to move their current relievers into roles in which they have been more successful, as noted above.

Additionally, Miller has three more seasons of club control remaining after the 2026 season. While this makes him all the more enticing for teams interested in trading for him, it also makes him more expensive. The White Sox would have to give up significant prospect resources in order to acquire him.

That being said, Chicago has an embarrassment of riches when it comes to middle infield prospects. They could certainly offer the Padres an intriguing package.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Sky star Jacy Sheldon turns heads at White Sox game
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For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Jacy Sheldon is playing her first season with the Chicago Sky after being traded from the Washington Mystics. She is currently averaging 6.6 points, 1.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists.

The fifth overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft spent the majority of the 2025 season with the Connecticut Sun before a mid-season trade to the Washington Mystics. 

Sheldon has been a solid rotation piece for the Sky. However, they are currently 13th in the WNBA standings. Chicago is 9-18 this season.

The 2021 WNBA Champions last made the playoffs in 2023. Since then, they have yet to crack more than 13 wins in a season. 

Chicago Sky’s Jacy Sheldon attends a Chicago White Sox game

On Tuesday, Sheldon as tasked with throwing the first pitch of the Chicago White Sox’s game against the New York Yankees. 

The White Sox shared the moment on their Instagram page.

“From the court to the mound. @chicagosky’s own, Jacy Sheldon! ,” the team said in the caption.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Chicago White Sox (@whitesox)

The 5-foot-10 guard represented the Sky at the Rate Field, home of the White Sox. Her appearance garnered multiple reactions from Chicago fans.

“The sky looks good in black and white!” a fan commented.

“Goooo Jacy! @jacysheldon,” another wrote.

“Jacy!” a user mentioned.

“Yeah Jacy!!” a supporter said.

“@jacysheldon let’s gooooo south side ,” another added.

“she’s beautiful asf,” a comment mentioned. 

The White Sox dropped to 55-51 on the season after suffering a 2-3 home loss to the Yankees on Tuesday. They are now 0-2 in the series with the third of four games scheduled for Wednesday.

After hosting the 2026 WNBA All-Star Weekend, the Sky are preparing for the next match. Chicago looks to snap their two-game losing streak as it will host the Connecticut Sun on July 30. 

Sheldon has only scored a total two points on 2-of-8 shooting in their last two games. She’ll be looking to bounce back and help the Sky get their 10th win of the year.

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It’s no secret that the Chicago White Sox are prioritizing upgrades to both their pitching staff and catching position ahead of the August 3 trade deadline. However, instead of making a splash right away, the organization has taken a more measured approach to the market.

Chicago has already added right-hander José Urquidy via trade and has now signed nine-year MLB veteran catcher Eric Haase to a minor league deal, signaling a willingness to improve the roster while continuing to evaluate for bigger opportunities.

Catcher Eric Haase has joined the Chicago White Sox on a minor league contract

Haase, a 33-year-old catcher, has historically provided value with his bat and the ability to impact the game offensively. He owns a 22-home run season on his resume, which came with the Detroit Tigers in 2021, but his recent MLB opportunities have been limited. He has appeared in fewer than 30 games in each of the past three seasons, including 2026, when he spent time with the San Francisco Giants before being released.

Now with the White Sox organization, Haase will need to earn his way back to the major leagues while the team continues to evaluate its options behind the plate ahead of the trade deadline. Still, the timing of the signing makes it a smart move for Chicago. By bringing him in now, Haase remains eligible for the postseason if other additions don’t materialize and he performs well enough in the minor leagues to force his way into the conversation.

While Haase is far from a guarantee to solve the White Sox’s catching situation, the move represents the type of low-risk addition that makes sense before the trade deadline. Chicago can continue exploring larger upgrades while adding experienced depth and a potential offensive spark if Haase finds his swing again. With a proven track record and postseason eligibility, Haase gives the organization another option as it looks to strengthen the roster for the stretch run.

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The Chicago White Sox opened trade deadline week by trading for veteran right-hander José Urquidy, a low-risk move that carries intriguing upside if he can rediscover his form. While the addition adds experienced depth to the pitching staff, it shouldn’t signal the end of general manager Chris Getz’s deadline activity.

If the White Sox are serious about making a postseason push, more moves are likely still to come. One area they desperately need to see improvement in is catcher. Kyle Teel hasn’t been able to stay healthy this year, and a combination of Edgar Quero, Drew Romo, and Reese McGuire hasn’t worked out.

Fortunately, it seems like the White Sox have a few rental options to choose from, which makes sense given Teel has incredible upside when healthy. Here are two of those options.

Catchers Ryan Jeffers and Tyler Stephenson make a ton of sense for the Chicago White Sox to target at the 2026 trade deadline

Ryan Jeffers

While intra-division trades are somewhat rare, it will be intriguing to see if Chicago and Minnesota link up for a deal involving Ryan Jeffers. The 29 year old catcher is enjoying one of his best offensive seasons so far, evidenced by a .930 OPS through 48 games. Jeffers missed time earlier this year following a hamate fracture, but has been back in the big leagues since July 10.

Jeffers is playing on a $6.7 million contract that expires at the end of the season, and Chicago could ask Minnesota to absorb a portion of his remaining salary. While doing so might increase the Twins’ asking price if they decide to sell, it shouldn’t dissuade the White Sox from addressing a clear area of need ahead of the trade deadline.

Tyler Stephenson

Another right-handed catching rental who could be available at this year’s trade deadline is Tyler Stephenson. The 29-year-old is slashing his way to a .712 OPS with eight home runs and 28 RBIs this season. While his offensive ceiling may not be quite as high as Jeffers’, Stephenson would still represent a significant upgrade and would immediately become the White Sox’s top offensive option behind the plate.

Stephenson also comes with a modest financial commitment, earning $6.8 million in 2026. As a pending free agent, he’d be an affordable rental whose remaining salary shouldn’t prevent the White Sox from pursuing other upgrades before the trade deadline.

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Before the All-Star break, the Chicago White Sox were expected to be in the market for pitching help as they plan to make an aggressive push for the postseason.

The White Sox have been the surprise of the MLB this year, and they lead the American League Central by 2.5 games over the Cleveland Guardians after defeating the Houston Astros 12-3 on Sunday.

Following Sunday’s win, the White Sox appear to have made a move that will help the bullpen this summer.

Per Robert Murray, Chicago is set to trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitcher Jose Urquidy.

“The Chicago White Sox are acquiring pitcher Jose Urquidy from the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to sources familiar with the deal,” Murray posted on X.

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The Chicago White Sox trade for a Pirates pitcher

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Urquidy, 31, won a World Series with the Houston Astros in 2022. The right-handed pitcher appeared in five  games for the Pirates this season, earning one save and one loss in 6.1 innings pitched. He has an ERA of 8.53 this season and a career ERA of 4.07.

Urquidy has given up 15 hits, 10 runs, and earned six strikeouts this season.

The White Sox are gaining a pitcher with postseason experience, but Urquidy has not been as dominant since he left the Astros organization. He had a 7.71 ERA with the Detroit Tigers in two games pitched last season.

Urquidy signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract with the Pirates before the season.

The bullpen for the White Sox is ranked No. 14 in the MLB with an ERA of 4.03. Urquidy could do better on the White Sox with a change of scenery.

Chicago could still use starting pitching help this summer. The starting rotation for the White Sox ranks No. 29 with an ERA of 4.70.

The trade deadline is set for Aug. 3, giving the White Sox a week to add help as they make a late-season push for the playoffs.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are in a position that very few, if anyone, expected them to be in at this point in the season. Prior to 2026, Chicago had lost more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons. This included a Major League record 121 losses in 2024.

As it stands now, though, they are 54-48 and in first place in the American League Central Division. In the past, the White Sox have been one of the worst teams in baseball and, as such, traded away many of their more productive players at the MLB deadline each year. Now, though, they are making a push for the postseason and are expected to trade for talented Major Leaguers instead of sending them away.

In order to add, though, they are going to have to part with notable prospects.

The Chicago White Sox are predicted to trade Billy Carlson

There are multiple holes that Chicago has on its roster as they enter the season’s home stretch. Among these are pitching and catching, two positions that are going to cost a bit to address due to the scarcity of high-profile players that will be available at those positions.

This is not to say that there will not be any, but rather that any needle-pushers that are on the trade block are going to cost interested teams some noteworthy prospects.

With this in mind, The Athletic believes that 2025 first round pick Billy Carlson is the White Sox prospect most likely to be traded:

“Carlson was Chicago’s first-round draft pick in 2025, taken 10th overall as a high schooler out of California. The White Sox, notably, drafted another shortstop No. 1 overall earlier this month. That’s to say nothing of their current young shortstop, Colson Montgomery, who is a bona fide great player.

“So while you can never have too much shortstop talent in your system, parting with Carlson might make some sense to bolster a club that could win the AL Central, and maybe even get a postseason bye. It’s been an incredible turnaround, and Chicago needs to capitalize at the deadline by adding some pitching.”

The 19-year-old shortstop is hitting .263/.391/.354 with no home runs and 18 RBI in 48 games this year, which is his first season of professional baseball.

As The Athletic notes, the White Sox just drafted a shortstop with the first overall pick this year, and Colson Montgomery has established himself as a great player in the Majors already.

In other words, they can afford to part ways with Carlson, who has a former first round pick would draw interest from teams looking to add prospects.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox trade acquisition is leading MLB’s hottest bullpen
• White Sox ideal target ahead of MLB trade deadline revealed as former NL Cy Young winner
• Anthony Kay called out to be White Sox 2nd half All-Star

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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In February, the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox agreed to a trade that sent pitchers David Sandlin and Jordan Hicks to Chicago and Gage Ziehl to Boston. Hicks, who has been both a starter and reliever throughout his career, has strictly been a bullpen arm under Will Venable this year, but his season did not start off all that strong.

Before landing on the injured list with a lat strain at the end of May, Hicks owned a 5.60 ERA. Since returning on June 21, he has been virtually untouchable, not allowing an earned run across 11 appearances. During that span, Hicks has logged 10.2 innings, struck out 18 batters, posted a 0.47 WHIP, and held opponents to a .093 batting average, lowering his season ERA to a better looking 3.49.

Coincident or not, the White Sox bullpen has been equally as dominant as a unit over the last month, ranking among the leagues best in several pitching categories.

Jordan Hicks return from injury is fueling the Chicago White Sox bullpen, which since has been among the best relief corps in the league

Since June 23, just two days after Hicks returned to the White Sox bullpen, Chicago’s relief corps has been one of the most dominant units in baseball. Entering play on July 23, White Sox relievers ranked first in the majors with 119 strikeouts during that span while also placing second in ERA (2.21), opponent batting average (.194), opponent slugging percentage (.293), and innings pitched (105.2).

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The Chicago White Sox are 54-47 on the season and clinging to a one-game lead for first place in the American League Central Division. Indeed, Chicago has been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball this year. After three straight seasons of losing more than 100 games a year, they have put a contender together that is poised to compete for years to come.

As is the case with every contender, though, they have some pieces missing. While the offense generally puts up a plethora of runs each game, the pitching has turned out to be suspect. As the MLB trade deadline nears, it is clear that the White Sox will need to add to their pitching staff.

Sandy Alcantara named the ideal trade target for the Chicago White Sox

There are, of course, many pitchers that are going to be available leading up to the MLB trade deadline. One interesting name that could be moved is 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara.

Recently, Bleacher Report named him as Chicago’s ideal target:

“If the White Sox can get that ace for a prorated $5M this year and a $21M club option next year, that would be huge. After entering this season feeling at least one more year away in their rebuild, they’re not likely to be a “swapping prospects for rentals” deadline team. But maybe they get a bit aggressive for a guy who would also be their Opening Day starter in 2027—assuming there eventually is an Opening Day in 2027…”

Back in 2022, Alcantara won the Cy Young Award in the National League by going 14-9 with a 2.28 ERA and 0.99 WHIP. He also threw six complete games and one shutout.

Since then, however, he has been a shadow of his former self. In 2023, he was 7-12 with a 4.14 ERA, and he missed all of 2024 due to injury.

Last season, Alcantara was 11-12 with a 5.36 ERA, and this season is 10-6 with a 4.01 ERA.

The good news is that he leads all baseball with 22 starts, indicating that he is healthy. He also leads the Majors with 143.2 innings pitched.

Chicago may be taking  risk by adding Alcantara to the rotation at the deadline, but if he can get better with a change of scenery, he would be a huge boost to a team that is right in the thick of a postseason berth.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Anthony Kay must pitch like an All-Star for the Chicago White Sox in the second half
• White Sox predicted to add Jose Soriano at the MLB trade deadline
• White Sox place C Kyle Teel on 10-day injured list

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are 53-46 on the season. Not only is this immensely better than anyone thought they would be at this point in the year, but it is also good enough for first place in the American League Central Division. Whereas many thought that Chicago would, once again, be among the worst teams in the league, they are now among the best.

The reason for this has primarily been the high-powered White Sox offense. All season long, they have ranked among MLB leaders in team home runs. Unfortunately, their starting pitching, by in large, has not been able to match how impressive their batting order is.

In order for them to continue stacking wins and secure a postseason spot, they need the pitchers they already have to step up.

Chicago White Sox LHP Anthony Kay gets called out in latest MLB power rankings

One of the pitchers that Chicago hoped would be a reliable starter for them in 2026 was Anthony Kay. After playing two seasons in Japan and seeing some success, returned to MLB by signing with the White Sox.

He has not been as good as the team had hoped, as The Athletic wrote in their weekly power rankings:

“After two seasons in Japan, where he posted a 2.84 ERA in 48 games, the White Sox signed Kay to a two-year, $12 million contract with a mutual option for the 2028 season. So far, his return stateside has been a mixed bag of sorts.

“Entering Monday, Kay had a 4.24 ERA over 20 games (18 starts), though xERA (5.34) and FIP (5.08) suggest he’s been a bit worse than advertised. There have been some highlights, like six scoreless innings against the Guardians in June, as well as some lowlights, like a six-run blowup against the Phillies, also in June.

“Kay also leads the league with 18 hit-by-pitches. Any more and he’s putting himself in territory with guys named James McJames and Phenomenal Smith.”

The White Sox, by the way, were slotted in at tenth in the power rankings. These particular rankings not only listed each MLB team in order from best to worst, but also identified the player on each team that needs to improve the most.

Obviously, they believe the White Sox player that needs to show some improvement is Kay.

The fact of the matter is that Chicago likely is not going to land one of the big-name rental starting pitchers on the trading block. In order for their staff to improve, pitchers like Kay need to realize the potential the team saw in them.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Another frustrating Kyle Teel injury should force White Sox hand at trade deadline
• MLB analyst reveals White Sox most important player for remainder of 2026 season
• White Sox stand pat in top-10 of latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are 53-46 on the season, which is good for first place in the American League Central Division. They currently have a +52 run differential, which is the second-best in the American League and fifth-best in all Major League Baseball.

Indeed, the White Sox are the biggest surprise in baseball this year. From 2023-2025, they lost 100+ games every season. No one expected them to be much better in 2026, but here they are knocking on the door of a postseason berth.

As the MLB trade deadline approaches, Chicago is now seen as a buyer whereas previous seasons saw them selling their best players to contending clubs.

The Chicago White Sox are predicted to trade for Jose Soriano

Recently, Bleacher Report published an article in which they made eight bold predictions for the 2026 MLB trade deadline. One of them was that the White Sox would acquire Los Angeles Angels right-handed starting pitcher Jose Soriano:

“Will José Soriano really be available in the next two weeks? According to Jon Heyman of the New York Post, he is, in fact, expected to be.

“But one is skeptical, precisely because one knows the Los Angeles Angels are still ultimately in Arte Moreno’s hands. If there’s anything he hates, it’s greenlighting trades of star players.

“There’s perhaps even more uncertainty on the Chicago White Sox’s side of this. They lead the AL Central and do need starting pitching, but this is Year 1 of hopefully a multi-year contention cycle. As per Scott Merkin of MLB.com, Pale Hose GM Chris Getz should not be expected to sacrifice the farm depth he’s built just to ‘jump at a one-year possibility.’

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Another frustrating Kyle Teel injury should force White Sox hand at trade deadline
• MLB analyst reveals White Sox most important player for remainder of 2026 season
• White Sox stand pat in top-10 of latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox improved to 53-46 on the season with their 10-3 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday night. Unfortunately, though, they also suffered a devastating loss.

Catcher Kyle Teel was injured early in the contest as he attempted to dive across home plate to apply a tag. He was removed from the game, of course, in a development that continues an unfortunate trend for the young catcher in 2026.

The Chicago White Sox have placed Kyle Teel on the 10-day injured list

On Tuesday afternoon, it was reported that Teel suffered a sprained ankle. As a result, the White Sox are placing him on the 10-day injured list. They also have recalled Edgar Quero from Triple-A:

Prior to tonight’s game at the Texas Rangers, the Chicago White Sox placed catcher Kyle Teel on the 10-day injured list with a left ankle sprain and recalled catcher Edgar Quero from Class AAA Charlotte.

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 21, 2026

This is just the latest in line of frustrating injuries for Chicago’s young catcher. He was initially injured during the World Baseball Classic, suffering a strained hamstring. While on rehab assignment for that injury, he sprained his knee, which delayed his 2026 debut even further.

Teel has only appeared in 19 games for the White Sox this season. What is more, he has not been very productive either. In that time, he is itting just .190/.271/.317 with two home runs and 14 RBI.

Quero has not been much better while filling in for Teel this season. He is hitting .187/.253/.233 with two home runs and 15 RBI in 55 games played at the Major League level.

In 15 games down in Triple-A, Quero was hitting just .230/.295/.295 with a home run and six RBI.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Another frustrating Kyle Teel injury should force White Sox hand at trade deadline
• MLB analyst reveals White Sox most important player for remainder of 2026 season
• White Sox stand pat in top-10 of latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox had high expectations for Kyle Teel in 2026. After a strong showing across 78 games in 2025, consisting of a .273/.375/.411 slash line, the 24 year old catcher hasn’t been able to stay healthy in 2026, thus impacting his performance.

After initially injuring his hamstring during the World Baseball Classic, Teel sustained a knee sprain while on minor league rehab assignment. This delayed his 2026 debut until June 22, but now, less than a month afterwards, a new injury to his ankle has him likely landing on the injured list, according to Francys Romero anyway.

The Chicago White Sox have recalled C Edgar Quero, per sources.

He’s expected to join the team tomorrow in Texas.

— Francys Romero (@francysromeroFR) July 21, 2026

Prior to this ankle injury, which per Teel occurred while diving across the plate to apply a tag early in the game, he was slumping at the plate. Over 19 games, he owns a .190/.271/.317 slash line. Unfortunately his struggles have been a continuation of poor production from the catcher position this year, which should force the White Sox hand at the upcoming trade deadline.

Between Kyle Teel’s new injury, and the Chicago White Sox lack of production at catcher this year, a move at the upcoming trade deadline feels imminent

Including Kyle Teel’s numbers, no White Sox catcher has hit above .200 or posted an OPS higher than .588 this season. The combination of Edgar Quero (55 games), Drew Romo (37 games), and Reese McGuire (11 games) has provided virtually no offensive production, leaving Chicago with one of the least productive catching groups in baseball.

With Teel now sidelined again and the position already struggling offensively, the White Sox would be wise to pursue an upgrade before the Aug. 3 trade deadline. Even if Teel’s ankle injury proves to be minor, counting on him to suddenly rediscover the form he showed in 2025 after an injury-plagued season is a risky proposition. For a team trying to maintain its hold atop the AL Central, adding a proven catcher could be a worthwhile investment.

Internally, 23-year-old Boston Smith, acquired in the Curtis Mead trade earlier this season, has enjoyed a breakout campaign. The left-handed slugger has launched 20 home runs across three minor league levels, but with only 12 games of Double-A experience, promoting him to the majors this season would likely be too aggressive. As promising as Smith’s future appears, he doesn’t seem like a realistic solution for Chicago’s 2026 playoff push.

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The Chicago White Sox have taken Major League Baseball by surprise in 2026. From 2023-2025, they lost more than 100 games every single year. Very few thought that this season would be any different.

Over the course of this past off-season, Chicago did not make very many noteworthy moves. The one that stood out, though, was the signing of Japanese slugger Munetaka Murakami to a two-year $34 million contract. Every other MLB team passed on him due to his high strikeout totals in Japan, but the White Sox were willing to take the risk.

And it has paid off for them.

Munetaka Murakami named the Chicago White Sox most important player for the rest of 2026

The biggest question surrounding Murakami, other than his strikeouts, was whether or not his power would translate to the Majors. It did not take long for everyone find out that it did.

Prior to missing a month before the MLB All-Star Game with a strained hamstring, Murakami had already hit 20 home runs. He was able to return to play right before the break, and was one of three White Sox players named to the AL All-Star roster.

In order for Chicago to continue their winning ways, MLB.com believes that Murakami will have to continue hitting home runs at a prolific rate:

“Simply put, the slugging first baseman from Japan has changed the franchise in so many positive ways. Murakami missed 35 games before the All-Star break due to a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, with the White Sox posting a 17-18 record in his absence.

“He went 1-for-11 with seven strikeouts in his return this past weekend, but the White Sox also comfortably won all three games over the A’s. His mere presence helps the lineup and gives a greater overall feeling for victory.”

As one can see, the Japanese rookie slugger has struggled in his return from the injured list. Chicago currently has a one-game lead in their division, and will need him to get back to hitting consistently in order for them to maintain their pace.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• 3 former White Sox thriving elsewhere further validates Chicago’s turnaround
• White Sox predicted to lead MLB in this statistical category in 2026
• White Sox reportedly scouting 2x All-Star on Mets trading block

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Prior to the start of the 2026 MLB season, the Chicago White Sox were listed last or second-to-last in just about every publication’s power rankings. And who could blame them! After all, the White Sox had gone three straight years without fielding any semblance of a competitive team. They lost more than 100 games in each of thoes three seasons.

But as the 2026 season has progressed, Chicago has emerged as one of the best teams in the American League. At 52-46, they are in first place in the AL Central by a full game, and have one of the most exciting young rosters in the game.

The Chicago White Sox maintain the ninth spot in Bleacher Report’s MLB power rankings

Going into the MLB All-Star break, Bleacher Report had the White Sox listed as ninth on their power rankings list. After Chicago won two out of three against the Toronto Blue Jays, they have maintained that spot:

“At 31-17, the White Sox have one of the best home records in baseball, so picking up a series win on the road against a Blue Jays team fighting to stay in the contender hunt was a nice way to start the second half. Over his first 162 career games, Colson Montgomery logged a 119 wRC+ with 44 home runs and 108 RBI, and he has quickly developed into a franchise cornerstone.”

As one can see, White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery got special recognition in their explanation for the White Sox ranking. So far this season, he is hitting .224/.307/.477 with 24 home runs and 57 RBI. Since he came into the league, he leads all MLB shortstops in home runs.

The power from Montgomery is undeniable, and ensures that he will be a useful player for years to come. That being said, he needs to draw more walks in order to really be considered an elite batter.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• 3 former White Sox thriving elsewhere further validates Chicago’s turnaround
• White Sox predicted to lead MLB in this statistical category in 2026
• White Sox reportedly scouting 2x All-Star on Mets trading block

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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For much of the past several years, joining the Chicago White Sox wasn’t viewed as an especially appealing opportunity, particularly for newcomers. Entering the 2026 season, the franchise had endured three consecutive 100-loss campaigns and had not posted a winning record since 2021, when they last reached the playoffs and were eliminated in the American League Division Series.

That said, the organization has undergone significant change over the past three to four years. Since taking over as general manager on Aug. 31, 2023, Chris Getz has overseen a major overhaul of the roster and farm system. After weathering two more difficult seasons, the White Sox now appear to be on solid footing, with a first-place major league club and a farm system stocked with promising talent for the future.

Additionally, the club has received contributions from unexpected players, a testament to Getz’s ability to find and acquire talent. All-Star Tristan Peters is a prime example of this, but players like Kyle Teel, Braden Montgomery, Chase Meidroth, and Miguel Vargas all came over via trade.

Even so, roster turnover inevitably comes with difficult decisions, and not every move works out as planned. Along the way, the White Sox have watched several former players go on to find success elsewhere. In 2026, three former members of the organization stand out as prime examples of players who have flourished after Chicago moved on from them.

Three former Chicago White Sox thriving elsewhere actually further validates the organizations turnaround

1) 1B Curtis Mead

After being acquired from the Tampa Bay Rays in the Adrian Houser trade a year ago, Curtis Mead didn’t make a huge impression over 41 games with the organization in 2025, posting just a .584 OPS. With the addition of Munetaka Murakami over the winter, Mead was traded to the Washington Nationals where his 17 home run and .865 OPS breakout has him standing out in Washington.

2) OF Derek Hill

Through 50 games with the White Sox this year, Hill’s overall numbers were not great. However he did have a pair of pinch hit home runs and a knack for delivering in the clutch. He was traded to the Phillies on June 11, where over the last 23 games he is slashing .327/.352/.538. Notably, on June 24 he hit a pinch hit home run to cap off an improbable comeback win for Philadelphia.

3) 1B Jacob Gonzalez

Although this trade is just a week old, Jacob Gonzalez has wasted no time making an impact on the Pittsburgh Pirates. On July 18, during just his second at-bat, he took Gavin Williams of the Cleveland Guardians deep.

Jacob Gonzalez LAUNCHES a home run in just his 2nd AB as a member of the Pirates!

106.7 MPH, 428 FT pic.twitter.com/qULqS84v86

— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) July 18, 2026

No organization gets every personnel decision right, and the White Sox are no exception. The difference now is that Chicago is in a great spot thanks to Getz’s ability to scout and find players. While it’s never ideal to see former players thrive elsewhere, the White Sox have assembled a roster capable of competing in the present while also having a promising farm system.

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For years, the Chicago White Sox were one of the hardest Major League Baseball teams to watch. From 2023-2025, they lost more than 100 games a year, hitting an all-time low with a 41-121 record in 2024. Indeed, it seemed like Chicago had nothing going for themselves for a long time.

2026 has been an entirely different story. At 51-46, the White Sox are tied for first place in the American League Central Division. Indeed, Chicago has now become one of the most entertaining teams to watch this year, and the fact that they, as a team, are absolutely mashing the ball is a big reason why.

The Chicago White Sox are predicted to lead MLB in home runs

Bleacher Report recently released an article in which they give a bold prediction for each MLB team for the rest of the 2026 season. They predict that the White Sox will end the year leading the Majors in home runs:

“The White Sox finished 23rd in the majors with 165 home runs last season, and Lenyn Sosa was the team leader with 22 long balls.

“This year they entered the All-Star break fourth in the league with 129 homers, behind only the Yankees (142), Nationals (138) and Astros (132). With Munetaka Murakami back healthy and Kyle Teel also rejoining the lineup, the South Siders should continue to pile up impressive power numbers, while the Yankees are still without Aaron Judge and the Nationals and Astros both have second-half fade potential.”

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox reportedly scouting 2x All-Star on Mets trade block
• Murakami emerges and embraces role as face of the White Sox
• White Sox insider gets never before seen look into decision of picking first overall

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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As the 2026 trade deadline approaches, rumors have indicated that the Chicago White Sox are targeting controllable pitchers to improve their staff. In the starting rotation, finding someone to take the No.2 spot after Davis Martin should be a priority. A few players that fit that mold include Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants, Reid Detmers of the Los Angeles Angels, and Michael Wacha of the Kansas City Royals.

Despite this, Bob Nightengale’s latest reporting from his Sunday Notebook indicates that Chicago has sent a scout to evaluate Clay Holmes of the New York Mets. Holmes, who owns a $12 million player option for the 2027 season, is currently on injury-rehab assignment after breaking his fibula on May 15.

Chicago White Sox reportedly scouting 2x All-Star Clay Holmes as he progresses back from injury

The New York Mets, who have been one of baseball’s biggest disappointments this year, have made it known that several of their players are available for trade. Holmes is included in this group and could be exactly the player Chicago is looking for as the 33 year old would provide a significant boost in the rotation without an extremely high cost.

Before landing on the injured list, Holmes posted a stellar 2.39 ERA across his first nine starts of the season. He also proved his durability in 2025, his first full year as a starter, making 31 starts while recording a 3.53 ERA. One factor working in the White Sox’s favor, should they acquire him, is that his current injury is unrelated to his throwing shoulder. Combined with his relatively light workload this season, Holmes could return well-rested and fresh for the stretch run as Chicago pursues its first postseason appearance since 2021.

Furthermore, if Holmes were to exercise his $12 million player option for 2027, it would represent a relatively modest financial commitment. Based on the White Sox’s current payroll, that salary would rank behind only Munetaka Murakami and Anthony Benintendi. With the rest of the roster built around young, cost-controlled talent, retaining Holmes at that price appears to be a realistic and affordable option for Chicago.

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Chicago baseball fans have a special kind of rivalry on their hands, one that splits households and offices right down the middle every single summer. With the Wrigley Field portion of the 2026 Crosstown Classic coming up in August, and this year marking the twentieth anniversary of one of the most infamous moments in the series’ history, it felt like the right time to look back at what makes this rivalry so much fun.

The Punch That Started It All

You can’t talk about Crosstown Classic history without bringing up May 20, 2006. Cubs catcher Michael Barrett threw a punch at White Sox catcher A.J. Pierzynski after a play at the plate, and it sparked a full on brawl that’s still talked about two decades later. It’s the kind of moment that transcends the box score, genuinely one of the defining images of this entire rivalry.

Twenty years later, and the series still carries that same intensity, even if the punches have stayed confined to the batter’s box.

This Year’s Rate Field Drama

The 2026 season already gave us a taste of that classic back and forth energy. During the South Side leg of the series in May, the finale turned into an absolute rollercoaster. The Cubs jumped out to an early lead, the White Sox rallied to go ahead late, Michael Conforto tied it up with a three run homer, and then Edgar Quero walked it off in extra innings to win both the game and the series for the South Siders. In front of a sellout crowd at Rate Field, it was exactly the kind of chaotic finish that keeps this rivalry must watch television every year.

The Numbers Behind the Rivalry

Heading into the Wrigley portion of this year’s series, the all time head to head record sits incredibly close, with the Cubs holding a slim edge in the series history. That tightness is honestly part of what makes this rivalry so compelling. Neither side has ever been able to fully claim bragging rights for long, and every new season adds another chapter to a story that’s been building since the two teams first squared off in interleague play back in 1997.

Why the Rivalry Keeps Delivering

Part of what makes Cubs versus White Sox so much fun is that it’s not really about playoff races or division titles most years. It’s pure, unfiltered city pride. North Side versus South Side, Wrigley versus Rate Field, and neighbors, coworkers, and family members picking sides for a few days every summer. That kind of built-in drama doesn’t need October stakes to matter. Even mega casino slots couldn’t manufacture the kind of unpredictable emotions and bragging rights that this crosstown rivalry creates year after year.

Looking Ahead to Wrigley

With the Wrigley Field games set for mid August, fans on both sides will be looking to settle the score from that wild finish back in May. Given how this year’s series has already gone, there’s no reason to expect anything less than another memorable few days of baseball, and possibly a new moment that gets talked about for years to come.

Final Word

Twenty years after “The Punch,” the Crosstown Classic still delivers the kind of drama that makes Chicago baseball special. Whether you bleed Cubbie blue or Sox black, this is one series that never disappoints. See you at Wrigley in August.

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The Chicago White Sox selected Roch Cholowsky, the highly touted shortstop from UCLA, with the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB amateur draft. It was a decision that, while not entirely surprising, was not exactly 100% predicted. In most MLB drafts, there is usually a consensus number one overall pick, or at least a really good idea of what the team drafting first will do.

For their part, the White Sox did not reveal anything until they sent Cholowsky’s name to the powers that be in Major League Baseball to claim him as their first overall pick.

But while they kept their process leading up to draft a secret, they invited ESPN insider Jesse Rogers into their war room on draft day, and he has provided never before seen insight as to what kind of discussions are had on draft day.

Jesse Rogers reveals how the Chicago White Sox came to the decision to select Roch Cholowsky

Fans from all over the world enjoy a variety of sports. In that vein, movies made about sports are very popular, including baseball flicks such as “Moneyball.”

But the thing about Hollywood is that so much of what goes into movies like that is dramatized for effect. Very rarely are fans treated to what really goes on in front offices and behind the scenes for their favorite teams.

But Rogers got to see exactly what went into Chicago selecting Cholowsky.  His account of the discussions that went into it is quite fascinating.

After much discussion, Chris Getz and his crew settled on Cholowsky as their pick. And they feel good about it.

“You make a decision and you go with it,” Getz said to Rogers. “You don’t look back. You just f—ing make it happen. And that’s what we do. That’s what we’ve done. And that’s the White Sox. That’s what we do.”

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox 1B Munetaka Murakami addresses future in Chicago
• White Sox earn praise for 2026 MLB draft haul
• Munetaka Murakami makes special announcement ahead of Home Run Derby

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox will soon have to worry about the contract for first baseman Munetaka Murakami.

The rookie has taken the MLB by storm, earning an All-Star appearance this season with a .232 batting average, 20 home runs, and 42 RBIs despite only playing in 60 games due to a hamstring issue that caused him to miss 35 games.

Murakami has been key reason why the White Sox are tied with the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central at the All-Star break with a 50-45 record, a dramatic turnaround after two disappointing campaigns in 2024 and 2025.

Murakami, a four-time All-Star in Nippon Professional Baseball, signed a two-year contract with the White Sox worth $34 million in December. He’s set to become a free agent after the 2027 season, and there is some concern in the South Side that a team like the Los Angeles Dodgers would love to pounce on the 26-year-old budding star.

More News: Grading the White Sox 5 day 1 2026 MLB Draft selections

Munetaka Murakami wants to stay with Chicago White Sox

More News: White Sox 2025 All-Star could be back soon after latest milestone

Per James Fegan of SoxMachine, Murakami said Tuesday that he wants to stay with Chicago past 2027, but he’s not worried about signing a contract extension in the immediate future.

“All-Star first baseman Munetaka Murakami said he’s not thinking or talking specifics about contract extensions right now, but affirmed that he would like to stay with the White Sox long-term,” Fegan posted on X.

That’s good news for the White Sox. Chicago should try to lock down Murakami as soon as possible rather than delay it towards the end of the 2027 season. Frankly, it’s possible that he could put up even better numbers as he gains more experience in the MLB.

Murakami has been impressed with the culture the White Sox have in the clubhouse this season and believes the team can make a push to make the World Series this season.

“We’re not afraid of anything right now,” Murakami said, via Ryan McGuffey of The REKAP. “We want to win, and we have that winning culture in our blood, so we’re going to look forward to going to the World Series, and that’s where we’re aiming right now. Nothing is surprising us at the moment.”

A hefty contract extension for Murakami this offseason shouldn’t surprise the White Sox.

For More Chicago Sports:

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The Chicago White Sox find themselves in a spot not many believed they would be in at this point of the season. With the MLB All-Star break here, the White Sox sit in first place in the AL Central.

They have been one of the most surprising teams so far this season, surging after a bit of a sluggish start. While the White Sox are hoping to speed up this rebuild and get a taste of the playoffs this season, the future is also looking bright.

Over the weekend, the White Sox had the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft, selecting former UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky. The White Sox then took Landon Thome, out of Nazareth Academy, the son of Jim Thome at No. 34 overall. While those two picks stand out, the White Sox are earning some praise for their entire draft class already.

MLB analyst was blown away by White Sox draft haul

Senior MLB writer Jim Callis focuses on the draft year round, so he knows a lot about each class and prospect. When he praises you, it’s a good thing and that’s exactly what happened Monday for the White Sox.

While appearing on the “Mully & Haugh” show on 104.3 The Score, Callis says he was “blown away” by the White Sox draft haul.

“I always joke, the teams that always look the best are the teams that have the most draft picks or biggest bonus pool,” Callis said. “I’ll go to the White Sox, they had a $20 million bonus pool. You got Roch Cholowsky who is one of the two best players in the draft, you got two of the best high school hitters in Landon Thome and Cole Prosek. . . To get Cholowsky, Thome and Prosek at the top of the draft, I mean, I know they have other players and I’m not dismissing players in the big leagues or the system but I mean, you can have a scenario where that could be 3-4-5 for some team, or 1-2-3 for some team three or four years down the line. The White Sox draft just blew me away.”

"The White Sox draft just blew me away."@jimcallisMLB reacted to what the White Sox accomplished this weekend. pic.twitter.com/WCAYBiNkrP

— 104.3 The Score (@thescorechicago) July 13, 2026

While there was some talk the White Sox could target another player at one, they stuck to their plan. Landing three players like the trio Callis mentioned could be something we look back on a few years from now in a very positive way.

Even with a promising shortstop, the White Sox are hoping Cholowsky will be right there in the middle of their lineup for years to come.

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Chicago White Sox rookie Munetaka Murakami has been one of the best stories in Major League Baseball this season. His efforts have helped the White Sox sit in first place in the AL Central at the MLB All-Star Break.

In 60 games, Murakami is hitting .232 but has 20 home runs with 49 hits and 42 RBI’s overall. He’s primed for a big season overall if he can keep this pace for the second half. He was also named an AL All-Star for the game in Philadelphia and also is participating in the Home Run Derby.

But before Murakami participated in the Home Run Derby on Monday, he made a very special announcement.

Munetaka Murakami officially joins Jordan Brand

As Murakami took the field on Monday night for the Home Run Derby, he did so sporting the Air Jordan 3 “True Blue” cleats. That’s because Murakami is now officially a Jordan Brand athlete.

The rookie signed a deal to be a Jordan Brand athlete, joining a talented MLB team. He’s the first White Sox player since Tim Anderson to be signed to Jordan Brand.

Chicago White Sox star Munetaka Murakami is signing a deal with Jordan Brand

Murakami will debut the “True Blue” Air Jordan 3 cleats at the MLB Home Run Derby pic.twitter.com/nFadv0vbeg

— Nice Kicks (@nicekicks) July 14, 2026

“Joining Jordan Brand is a dream come true,” Murakami said. “The Jumpman stands for greatness, confidence and pushing beyond limits — values that have inspired me throughout my career. To be part of a family that includes some of the world’s greatest athletes is an incredible honor, and I’m excited to represent Jordan Brand on the field and help grow the game of baseball for the next generation.”

As part of the deal, Murakami will sport Jordan Brand gear throughout the year. As we previously mentioned, he’s also wearing the Air Jordan 3 cleats which are set to release this weekend via Nike.

Murakami’s story is a fun one and now he’s joining a prominent brand headlined by a Chicago legend in Michael Jordan.

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One of the talking points about the Chicago White Sox potentially passing on Roch Cholowsky was that the UCLA shortstop was expected to land a hefty rookie deal.

The White Sox chose to draft Cholowsky with the No. 1 pick on Saturday and are set to pay him a record deal.

Per MLB.com, Chicago gave Cholowsky a signing bonus of $10.35 million, over $1 million more than the bonuses given by the Cincinnati Reds to Chase Burns and the Colorado Rockies to Charlie Condon in 2024.

Via the MLB:

“The No. 1 selection in this year’s MLB Draft, UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky, has passed his physical and will sign with the White Sox with a record-setting signing bonus of $10.35 million (the slot value for the pick was $11,350,600), a source told MLB Pipeline’s Jim Callis.

“Cholowsky’s bonus eclipses the $9.3 million bonuses given to Reds right-hander Chase Burns and Rockies outfield prospect Charlie Condon when they were drafted in 2024.”

More News: Grading the White Sox 5 day 1 2026 MLB Draft selections

Roch Cholowsky happy to be with Chicago White Sox

More News: White Sox 2025 All-Star could be back soon after latest milestone

After learning he was drafted by the White Sox, Cholowsky said he was excited to play for a contender in Chicago.

“It’s awesome,” he said. “I know I’m not going straight to the big leagues; there’s a lot of work that needs to be put in. But seeing how well the team at the top is doing and the moves they’re making, the way they’re playing, it’s definitely a lot more motivation to get up there and join those guys at some point.

“Being able to be part of a contender is pretty cool. I value winning a lot. Seeing what they’re doing up there for the first half of the season is pretty special.”

The White Sox won’t play Cholowsky, 21, during the regular season this year, at least not in the majors. However, there is a chance he could be called up into the big leagues by the end of the 2027 campaign.

Chicago is set to make a push for the postseason this year after a dramatic turnaround from the embarrassing 2024 and 2025 seasons. Cholowsky could be a part of a World Series push in the next few seasons with the White Sox.

And he’ll be paid handsomely for it.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox entered the All-Star break this week tied with the Cleveland Guardians for first place in the American League Central with a 50-45 record, 10 wins short of their total victories for the entire 2025 campaign.

Even if the White Sox don’t win the division, they’re set up well to make the Wild Card, though any postseason appearance would be stunning from a team that went 41-121 in 2024 and 60-102 in 2025.

To say the turnaround has been dramatic would be an understatement, though some around the MLB are curious if the White Sox are riding a fluke. With a win differential of plus-35, Chicago seems for real, though the team would benefit from adding help to their starting pitching rotation for the back half of the season.

The White Sox sent three players to the All-Star game this week: 3B Miguel Vargas, OF Tristan Peters, and 1B Munetaka Murakami.

Murakami told Ryan McGuffey of The REKAP that the White Sox intend to make a World Series push coming out of the All-Star break.

More News: White Sox 2025 All-Star could be back soon after latest milestone

Munetaka Murakami: Chicago White Sox can make World Series

More News: Grading the White Sox 5 day 1 2026 MLB Draft selections

“We’re not afraid of anything right now,” Murakami said. “We want to win, and we have that winning culture in our blood, so we’re going to look forward to going to the World Series, and that’s where we’re aiming right now. Nothing is surprising us at the moment.”

It might be a long shot, but the White Sox can’t be counted out of the World Series picture this summer. Chicago is one of only five AL teams with a winning record at the break.

The White Sox surprised the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in June by taking two games of a three-game series in Chicago.

The White Sox have been dominant at Rate Field, going 31-17 at home. Chicago will need to improve playing on the road to be a World Series threat. The White Sox are 19-28 during away games this season.

Even if the White Sox fail to make a deep push in the postseason, the team looks like it will contend for the MLB crown in the future, and their latest draft class could continue a dynasty.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox look like a completely different team in 2026 than they did just one year ago. Entering the All-Star break, they’re 50-45, tied for first place in the American League Central, and are sending three players to the Midsummer Classic: Munetaka Murakami, Tristan Peters, and Miguel Vargas.

The contrast to last season couldn’t be greater. At the same point in 2025, the White Sox were just 32-65, sitting in last place in the AL Central, with breakout rookie starter and Rule 5 Draft pick Shane Smith serving as the club’s lone All-Star.

That said, to begin the 2026 campaign, Smith got the nod as the teams Opening Day starter, but command issues and poor performance resulted in him being optioned to Triple-A. Then, in early May, he was placed on the injured list with a rotator cuff strain. Now halfway through July, he is back pitching again and seems to be nearing a return.

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Shane Smith is one step closer to returning

Before landing on the injured list, Smith last appeared in a game on April 30. At that point, command was still an issue as through four minor league starts he had walked eight batters. After a two month absence between outings, he has returned looking sharp, both with the Winston-Salem Dash in High-A and Charlotte Knights in Triple-A.

Smith made two rehab appearances with High-A Winston-Salem on July 1 and July 7. As planned, he logged a combined 4.2 innings, allowing just two walks while recording six strikeouts, including a five-strikeout performance over 2.2 innings in his second outing.

He then returned to Triple-A on July 12, where he tossed 4.0 strong innings, walked one batter, and struck out five. He clearly has more building up to do in the pitch count area, but so far the results are promising that he has returned to All-Star form.

Shane Smith is fired up after a sharp start today. His first outing with the Knights since April 30th.

4 IP, 1 ER, 1 BB, & 5 K make up his final line.@KnightsBaseball #WhiteSox pic.twitter.com/OIy1W9soDA

— Kendall Smith (@SmithKendall__) July 12, 2026

If Smith is able to rejoin the White Sox this season, his upside could arguably slot him in as the club’s No. 2 or No. 3 starter behind Davis Martin. A healthy Smith returning to the form that earned him an All-Star selection would provide a significant boost to Chicago’s rotation as it pushes for a postseason berth.

Should the White Sox reach October, having Smith alongside Martin would give them a much stronger foundation for a playoff rotation and improve their chances of competing in a short series.

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The Chicago White Sox reached the MLB All-Star break 50-45 record, which has them tied for first place in the American League Central Division. Their record and level of play this season has been a surprise to many, who thought that the White Sox would, once again, be among the worst teams in Major League Baseball.

Instead, Chicago is one of just a handful of American League teams with a record over .500. What is more, for the first time in several years, they have more than one player representing them in the MLB All-Star Game.

Miguel Vargas was the only one named to the initial roster, but Munetaka Murakami and Tristan Peters have been added since.

Where Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami ranks among Home Run Derby participants

In addition to being added to the American League All-Star roster as a replacement, Murakami accepted an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby, which is being aired on Netflix on Monday night.

On Monday morning, MLB.com released its rankings of the eight sluggers who are participating in the event. Murakami, who is a rookie, was ranked fourth:

“There aren’t many players in baseball — in baseball history, really — who have hit moonshots quite like Murakami. And even if injuries have slowed him down in his rookie season, having him back and ready to go is a sign we’re about to see some of these impressive big flies launched into the Philadelphia night.

“It’s also excellent to see the White Sox — one of the best stories of the first half of the season — represented during All-Star Week as well. This is a team, and of course a player, that the world should see more of.”

As mentioned, Murakami is only just returning from injury, a strained hamstring that kept him out for over a month. At the time he went on the injured list, he led the American League with 20 home runs.

While he has not homered in the three games since his return, Murakami still ranks among the AL and MLB leaders in home runs.

Seeing him hit in the Home Run Derby is going to be very entertaining, especially for fans who have not been able to watch him consistently.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Grading the 5 White Sox selections on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft
• White Sox select Roch Cholowsky with 1st pick in 2026 MLB Draft
• Tristan Peters named to AL All-Star roster 1 day after hitting for the cycle

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox have made to the Major League Baseball 2026 All-Star break. Who could have thought, before the season, that at this point in the year, they would be tied for the lead in the American League Central Division and one of just a handful of AL teams with a winning record?

After three consecutive seasons with more than 100 losses, including the worst record in MLB history in 2024, Chicago has emerged from the cellar further along in their rebuild than many thought.

This is not to say they have been elite. There are plenty of issues the team still can and needs to fix. But the fact of the matter is that, even as they are, the White Sox are one of the best teams in the league.

MLB analyst puts haters on blast as Chicago White Sox maintain top-10 ranking

At 50-45, the White Sox are tied with the Cleveland Guardians atop the AL Central. They got swept by the Boston Red Sox last week, but bounced back to sweep the Athletics.

Bleacher Report ranked Chicago as the ninth-best team in Major League Baseball after the weekend, writing:

“The White Sox ended up stuck in the middle of two teams heading in polar opposite directions, contributing to both the nine-game winning streak of the Red Sox and the nine-game losing streak of the Athletics. Though he didn’t homer, Munetaka Murakami returned for the latter, more encouraging series, which began with a 14-1 win fueled by Tristan Peters hitting for the cycle.

“If you’ve been waiting for this team to fade, here’s hoping you haven’t been holding your breath.”

Indeed, every time it has appeared that the White Sox were going to come down to earth, they have been able to bounced back. Now with Munetaka Murakami back, their offense is even more dangerous.

If they are able to land a stellar pitcher or two at the MLB trade deadline, they could be a force in the AL for the rest of the season.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Grading the 5 White Sox selections on Day 1 of the 2026 MLB Draft
• White Sox select Roch Cholowsky with 1st pick in 2026 MLB Draft
• Tristan Peters named to AL All-Star roster 1 day after hitting for the cycle

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox had five selections during day one of the 2026 MLB Draft. This includes four selections in the top 100, featuring No.1 overall, No. 34, which was a Competitive Balance Round-A pick recently acquired from the Pittsburgh Pirates in the Jacob Gonzalez trade, No.41, and No.77. Their lone selection outside of the top 100 came in the fourth round, at No.105.

Later today, July 12, the remaining rounds in MLB’s draft, rounds 5-20, will take place. However, here we evaluate each of the five selections from day one.

Grading the Chicago White Sox five day one 2026 MLB Draft selections

No.1 (Round 1): Roch Cholowsky, SS, UCLA

To little surprise, Roch Cholowsky was taken first overall by the White Sox. Cholowsky is viewed as a generational five tool talent, evidenced by his standout performances across three years at UCLA. Over his college career, he posted a 1.072 OPS, walked (105) more times than he struck out (100), and has two 20+ home runs seasons. This, combined with the fact he is expected to sign under the $11,350,600 slot value gives this selection an A+ grade.

No. 34 (Comp Balance A): Landon Thome, INF, Nazareth Academy

Landon Thome is the son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome, who spent the 2006-2009 seasons as a member of the White Sox. Although MLB Pipeline gifts Thome a 55 grade power, something his father was known for as he hit 612 home runs throughout his career, the left-handed hitter had just seven home runs his senior season. Rather, Thome stole 49 bases last High School season, so how his speed translates to the professional game will be worth monitoring. ESPN had Thome ranked No.67 on their pre-draft rankings, and he’ll likely sign close to slot value, giving this selection an overall grade of an A-, especially given he comes from a baseball family.

No. 41 (Round 2): Cole Prosek, INF, Magnolia Heights HS

Cole Prosek is the third infielder selected by the White Sox to begin the 2026 MLB Draft. The Mississippi standout was ranked No.27 on MLB Pipeline’s pre-draft rankings. His hit tool is his calling card, along with power, as he hit 18 home runs over 41 games his senior year at Mangolia Heights. This school also produced Cooper Pratt, who recently made his MLB Debut with the Milwaukee Brewers. Getting Porsek at No.41 could be a major steal for Chicago, giving this pick an A grade.

No. 77 (Round 3): Joey Volchko, P, Georgia

After having ERA’s in the five’s and sixes through two years at Standford, right-hander Joey Volchko found more success in 2026 at Georgia. Over 18 starts he posted a 3.68 ERA and struck out 119 batters over 95 innings pitched. MLB Pipeline gave him a 60-grade fastball and slider, giving him two plus pitches to work with. This pick isn’t a home run, but there are good traits for Chicago to work with. This pick earns a B – for grade.

No. 105 (Round 4): Eric Segura, P, Oregon State

Eric Seguara is a sinker baller from Oregon State who throws a ton of strikes. The right-hander walked just 27 batters in 2026, posting 3.3 B:9 ratio. He has some swing and miss in his game. Segura struck out 82 batters over 73 innings this year, while posting a nice 2.22 ERA. Chicago figures to have a strong infield for years to come, thus making Segura a good fit in this organization. We give this a grade of a B for the White Sox.

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The Chicago White Sox are 48-45 this season, and in first place in the American League Central Division. Despite how well they have played this year, their losing season in 2025 (their third straight with 100+ losses) led to them having the first overall pick in the 2026 MLB amateur draft.

In the weeks leading up to today’s first round, the White Sox were uncertain which player they would take with the number one overall pick. There were, of course, several quality candidates. And on Saturday, they took Roch Cholowsky, a shortstop from UCLA.

The Chicago White Sox draft Roch Cholowsky first overall

Cholowsky, 21, played three seasons at UCLA where he hit ..329/.448/.624. He has been especially notable in the last two years. In 2025, he hit .353/.480/.710 with 23 home runs and 74 RBI. He also walked (45 times) more than he struck out (30 times).

This past season, Cholowsky hit .320/.452/.636 with 21 home runs and 60 RBI. He walked just as much as he struck out (36 times a piece).

Jeff Passan was the first to report that the White Sox had selected the UCLA product:

The Chicago White Sox are choosing UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky with the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 11, 2026

After the pick was made, Bob Nightengale reported on X that Chicago decided to draft Cholowsky after he agreed to sign for a lesser slot amount. The White Sox hope to use the savings to sign Landon Thome, the son of franchise legend and Hall of Famer Jim Thome:

The White Sox chose Cholowsky after he agreed to below slot signing in which the Sox would love to use the savings to draft Landon Thome, son of Hall of Famer Jim Thome https://t.co/e3ZyVg6P3A

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) July 11, 2026

Thome, who plays second and third base, is considered one of the best overall high school hitters in this year’s class.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox acquire lefty and draft pick in trade with Pirates
• White Sox announce roster move for return of Munetaka Murakami
• White Sox first half MVP revealed in latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Last year, the Chicago White Sox were the worst team in Major League Baseball. As such, they only had one player named to the 2025 All-Star Game, starter Shane Smith. Now Smith is not even in the Majors and the White Sox are suddenly one of the better teams in the American League.

Despite how much they have turned it around in 2026, Chicago once again had just one player named to the AL All-Star roster: Miguel Vargas.

On Friday, when he returned from the injured list, Munetaka Murakami was named as a replacement All-Star player. He also accepted an invitation to participate in the Home Run Derby.

And now, the White Sox have a third All-Star.

Chicago White Sox outfielder Tristan Peters has been named to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game

On Saturday morning, it was announced that Tristan Peters, too, has been named as a replacement All-Star for the American League:

Hit for the cycle one day, named an All-Star the next. Congrats, Tristan! pic.twitter.com/CHDBTr8acO

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 11, 2026

On Friday night, Peters became the seventh player in franchise history to hit for the cycle. He became the first rookie in the history of Major League Baseball to accomplish the feat while hitting from the ninth spot in a lineup.

For the season, Peters is hitting .303/.357/.484 with six home runs, 35 RBI, and five stolen bases.

This is the first time since 2022 that Chicago has multiple All-Stars. That year, they were represented by Tim Anderson and Liam Hendricks. It is also the first time they have had more than two All-Stars since 2021, when they sent four players to All-Star Game. Those players were Anderson, Hendricks, Lance Lynn, and Carlos Rodon.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox acquire lefty and draft pick in trade with Pirates
• White Sox announce roster move for return of Munetaka Murakami
• White Sox first half MVP revealed in latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

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The Chicago White Sox are 48-45 so far in the 2026 MLB season. Prior to the start of the year, many believed that they would, once again, be one of the worst teams in the American League. After all, they had lost more than 100 games in three consecutive seasons, and they decided to rely on their young group of players to carry them this year.

As it has turned out, that was a great decision by the club. Chicago is just one of a handful of American League teams over .500. They also sit in first place in the AL Central, though the Cleveland Guardians are right at their heels.

As the MLB trade deadline draws closer, there are a plethora of rumors surrounding the White Sox and who they may try to acquire. ESPN analyst Jeff Passan has identified the one player they should target.

Reid Detmers named as the dream trade target for the Chicago White Sox

Recently, Passan published an article in which he listed the dream trade target for each MLB time. When it came to the White Sox, he named Los Angeles Angels pitcher Reid Detmers as not only their dream target, but also the best fit:

“Detmers, the 27-year-old who isn’t a free agent until after the 2028 season, is an ideal fit. Don’t let his 4.13 ERA fool you. The stuff is premium, the strikeouts are plentiful and the ability to carve good lineups is vital for any potential White Sox playoff run.”

What is also appealing about adding Detmers is that he is not going to be a free agent until 2029. That means the White Sox would not be getting him as a rental, but as a long(ish)-term piece for their starting rotation.

At the same time, though, his multiple years of club control remaining mean that he may cost a little bit more on the trade market in terms of prospects.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox acquire lefty and draft pick in trade with Pirates
• White Sox announce roster move for return of Munetaka Murakami
• White Sox first half MVP revealed in latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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Friday night saw the Chicago White Sox return to their winning ways. After being swept by the Boston Red Sox during the week, they exercised some demons by demolishing the Athletics by the score of 14-1.

The game marked the return of Munetaka Murakami after over a month spent on the injured list. He had previously suffered a strained hamstring in late May. He was 1-5 with an RBI and run scored in his return.

But the star of the night was rookie centerfielder Tristan Peters, who did something never before seen in the history of Major League Baseball.

Chicago White Sox rookie Tristan Peters made MLB history

Peters went 4-4 on Friday night. He hit for the cycle with those four hits, which is an impressive feat in and of itself. But what made his performance historic is that no rookie hitting ninth in the batting order had ever done that:

Tonight marks the first time in MLB history a rookie batting 9th in the order (Tristan Peters) hit for the cycle. pic.twitter.com/QPqSwHPbA8

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 11, 2026

Peters is now hitting .303/.357/.484 with six home runs, 45 RBI, and five stolen bases this season. He is the seventh player in White Sox history to hit for the cycle, and the first since Jose Abreu did it back in 2017.

Every other player who hit for the cycle in franchise history did so between 1901-1922.

• Fielder Jones (1901)
• Harry Lord (1913)
• Danny Murphy (1920)
• Nemo Leiobold (1921)
• Ray Schalk (1922)

Peters’ contract was purchased by Chicago in December of 2025 from the Tampa Bay Rays, who had previously acquired him via trade from the San Francisco Giants. They had received him a trade from the Milwaukee Brewers, who originally drafted him in the seventh round of the 2021 MLB amatuer draft.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox acquire lefty and draft pick in trade with Pirates
• White Sox announce roster move for return of Munetaka Murakami
• White Sox first half MVP revealed in latest MLB power rankings

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are getting an early start on trades before the Aug. 3 trade deadline, making a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Per the Pirates, they had acquired infielder Jacob Gonzalez and left-hander Brandon Eisert in exchange for a 2026 Comp A Pick (which is the No. 34th pick in this year’s draft) and left-hander Jaden Woods. The Pirates were reported to be open to moving their Comp A Pick and prospects to acquire talent.

More White Sox News: Chicago White Sox announce roster move for the return of Munetaka Murakami

The deal for the Pirates accomplishes their goal of filling two needs: finding bullpen help and a versatile infielder. Gonzalez had shown signs of life while spending 30 games with the White Sox, filling in for the injured All-Star, Munetaka Murakami.

We have made the following trade with the @whitesox: pic.twitter.com/addnYX8Jvk

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) July 11, 2026

The Pittsburgh Pirates will get great use out of Jacob Gonzalez and Brandon Eisert

The White Sox optioned the 24-year-old to Triple-A Charlotte once Murakami was activated from the injured list on Friday. But he will likely be joining the Pirates’ big-league roster, given some of their injuries. In his first 30 games, Gonzalez batted .244 with a .683 OPS and two home runs, but showed great strides in the minor leagues, having a 1.097 OPS and 19 home runs in 53 games at Triple-A Charlotte.

Shortstop Konnor Griffin will be out until September, as he recovers from a finger injury after making a diving play, while first baseman Spencer Horwitz (left hamstring strain) could return soon. A primary shortstop and third baseman, Gonzalez mostly played as the White Sox’s first baseman (29 games).

Current fill-in Jared Triolo has been struggling to hold things down at shortstop, so Gonzalez should figure to take over for Triolo. Gonzalez should also see time at first base until Horwitz returns to action.

As for Eisert, he should get good usage in the Pirates’ bullpen, as they have not been great this season. Eisert joins a bullpen that has the fourth-worst ERA (4.53) and fifth-worst WHIP (1.40) in the National League.

Did the Chicago White Sox get value in this trade?

Yes, the White Sox did well in this trade, despite the price they paid. Woods, 24, is an interesting arm who could be used in the bullpen if the White Sox chose to call him up this season.

Drafted by the Pirates in the seventh round of the 2023 MLB Draft, Woods quickly ascended through the minor leagues. In 28 appearances between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis, Woods is 3-2 with a 4.58 ERA. However, he has not been great since his call-up to Triple-A, posting a 7.71 ERA in 11 games (one start).

The real prize is the Comp A Pick, which now gives the White Sox two picks in the first round. Already holding the first overall pick, they could use their 34th-overall selection to land a starting pitcher for the future. The Draft is scheduled for July 11 and will start at 1 p.m. Eastern.

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The Chicago White Sox are 47-45 on the season and, somehow, still remain in first place in the American League Central Division. Indeed, they are one of the best stories in baseball this season. After three straight years of losing 100+ games, they are suddenly one of just a handful of American League teams with a winning record.

They have, however, been struggling as of late. Chicago just got swept by the Boston Red Sox and have lost six of their last eight games. Fortunately, Munetaka Murakami, their prized rookie slugger, is returning from the injured list today.

The Chicago White Sox activate Munetaka Murakami from the injured list

Back on May 29, Murakami was removed for the White Sox game with an injured hamstring. It was revealed afterwards that he had strained it, and he was placed on the 10-day injured list.

After completing his rehab assignment this week, Munetaka is returning to Chicago’s lineup for their final series before the All-Star break. To make room for him on the roster, the White Sox are sending Jacob Gonzalez back to Triple-A:

pic.twitter.com/rvORkeqMMJ

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 10, 2026

In 30 games played this season after getting called up, Gonzalez hit .244/.323/.360 with two home runs and 16 RBI.

Prior to going on the injured list, Murakami hit .240/.378/.560 with 20 home runs and 41 RBI. When he first went on IL, he was the AL leader in home runs and near the top of the league’s leader board in walks.

Adding the Japanese slugger, whom they surprisingly signed this off-season to a two-year $34 million deal, will give the White Sox yet another 20-home run hitter in their lineup. Both Miguel Vargas and Colson Montgomery have reached that plateau since Murakami went on IL.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Munetaka Murakami set to return to White Sox lineup for final series before All-Star break
• White Sox leapfrog New York Yankees in latest MLB power rankings
• White Sox urged to trade for 8x All-Star ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox have hit a bit of a rough stretch. They just got swept by the Boston Red Sox and have lost six of their last eight games. Still, they are 47-45 and sit in first place of the American League Central Division. Indeed, their recent struggles should not overshadow all they have been able to accomplish so far in 2026.

After three consecutive seasons of losing more than 100 games a year, the White Sox are suddenly competitive, just one of a handful of American League teams with a winning record. Numerous players have played a role in their early success, but Fox Sports believes Miguel Vargas is the most valuable.

Miguel Vargas named the Chicago White Sox MVP of the 1st half

Coming into 2026, no one thought Chicago was going to be any good. Vargas, for his part, had never hit more than 16 home runs in a single season.

As the first half of the year comes to a close, though, the White Sox are 47-45 and Vargas is hitting .239/.354/.477 with 20 home runs and 56 RBI (he also has 11 stolen bases).

He is the lone White Sox All-Star this season, and Fox Sports believes he is more than deserving of that honor. While ranking Chicago as the ninth-best team in Major League Baseball, they said of Vargas:

“Similar to the Pirates, I’m shocked the White Sox only got one All-Star rep (sorry, Davis Martin and Colson Montgomery). But if Miguel Vargas is the only player the South Siders send to the All-Star Game, he’s at least a worthy choice. The former Dodgers prospect is putting it all together offensively at 26 years old, trailing only Junior Caminero for the highest OPS among AL third basemen.”

In addition to providing some pop at the plate, Vargas has played good defense at third base and has filled in a bit over at first.

Should he continue to put up big power numbers, and should the White Sox remain in contention, he could get some American League MVP votes as well.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• Munetaka Murakami set to return to White Sox lineup for final series before All-Star break
• White Sox leapfrog New York Yankees in latest MLB power rankings
• White Sox urged to trade for 8x All-Star ahead of MLB trade deadline

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox have been given a major bolt of hope before the 2026 All Star break.

More news: Chicago White Sox advised approach to MLB trade deadline revealed

Following a rehab stint in Charlotte, it has been officially confirmed that Japanese rookie sensation Munetaka Murakami will indeed be returning to the Sox clubhouse on Friday.

The Chicago White Sox star slugger is expected to play in Friday’s series opener vs the Athletics

Scott Merkin confirmed the news following the Sox’s rough 2-1 loss to the Boston Red Sox. The Sox have now dropped three straight and remain tied with Cleveland for the AL Central lead.

Murakami officially back on Friday

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 9, 2026

Manager Will Venable told the media that the Japanese star “feels good and is ready to go” during Thursday’s presser.

https://Twitter.com/CHSN_WhiteSox/status/2075325527917834444/video/1?

Despite missing 35 games with a hamstring strain, Murakami still has the 14th most home runs in the MLB, with 20.

With the southsiders in a rough patch, this is the perfect time for Murakami to be back in the clubhouse.

It’s obvious that the team could use his power in the bat as the team has only scored three runs in their last three games. Hopefully, Mune can bring the team the spark it needs at the halfway point of the season.

The post Munetaka Murakami officially to return to Chicago White Sox lineup for final series before All Star Break appeared first on ChiCitySports.

There may be no better story in baseball right now than the 2026 Chicago White Sox. After years of historical futility, Chicago is currently 47-42 and sits atop the American League Central Division. Part of the reason for their surprising success this year has been how quickly their young core has acclimated to the Major Leagues.

While the season is over halfway through, it is still considered early given the fact that they play 162 games. There is still a possibility that the young White Sox will come down to earth at some point in the year.

Thus far, though, they have not, and are getting the recognition they deserve.

The Chicago White Sox jump to 8th in Bleacher Report’s MLB power rankings

For weeks, the White Sox did not get the recognition they deserved from national outlets when they released their power rankings. Perhaps it was because they thought Chicago would come back down to earth. Since they have not, and it is now July, the White Sox are starting to climb higher and higher.

On Monday, Bleacher Report released their weekly MLB power rankings, and slid Chicago in at eighth, one spot over the struggling New York Yankees:

“Colson Montgomery hit his 22nd home run on Saturday and his team-leading 23rd on Sunday. On Monday, Munetaka Murakami will begin a rehab assignment. Big stretch of three days for two of the biggest snubs from the initial All-Star rosters. Those two and Miguel Vargas make the White Sox the only team thus far with three players with at least 20 home runs.”

One of the biggest surprises for the White Sox this year has been the power of Miguel Vargas, who already has surpassed his previous career high. And not only does Colson Montgomery lead the team in home runs, but he also leads all Major League shortstops.

Oh, and Munetaka Murakami could be back as early as this week.

Needless to say, things are looking good on the South Side.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox announced exciting positive injury update on Munetaka Murakami
• White Sox suggest the Guardians were cheating
• White Sox receive frustrating MLB trade deadline update

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are 47-42 on the season and sit atop the American League Central Division. This is a development that, truly, no one saw coming prior to the 2026 season. After losing 100+ games in three consecutive years, many believed the White Sox would have another poor showing.

However, the team’s young core of prospects that now have found themselves in the Majors have made Chicago one of the most entertaining teams in baseball, and one of the best teams in the American League.

That being said, they still have fixes to make, namely in the bullpen, if they are going maintain this surprising division lead.

The Chicago White Sox are urged to trade for eight-time All-Star Aroldis Chapman

There are of course, many teams that are going to be looking to add some high-quality bullpen depth at the MLB trade deadline. Additionally, there is no shortage of such arms that will be made available.

Among these is Aroldis Chapman of the Boston Red Sox, whom The Athletic claims should be the top target of the White Sox as the deadline draws near:

“I think they should target both Aroldis Chapman and Sonny Gray of the Red Sox, but should be willing to consider all possibilities, including an in-division trade with the Royals. The White Sox trading a bat for either Michael Wacha or Seth Lugo could make sense for both teams.

Best fit: Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Boston Red Sox

“Chapman would become their lockdown closer and give them a much better shot at reaching the postseason and being competitive once there.”

An eight-time All-Star and two-time World Series champion, Chapman has been one of the few bright spots on what has turned out to be a disappointing Red Sox team. He is currently 0-3 with a 2.36 ERA and 18 saves so far in 2026.

Chapman will be a free agent at the end of the year, which means that he would only be a rental in Chicago if they were to acquire him. Three months of the Hall of Fame-caliber closer may not be worth the prospects they would need to give up to get him.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox announced exciting positive injury update on Munetaka Murakami
• White Sox suggest the Guardians were cheating
• White Sox receive frustrating MLB trade deadline update

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago  sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox are 46-42 on the season, and currently tied atop that American League Central Division with the rival Cleveland Guardians. After winning their game on Saturday, the White Sox reclaimed a tie for first place, and hold the tiebreaker over their rivals. The outcomes of Sunday’s game will determine who enters the new week of play in the AL Central lead.

It really is astounding that Chicago is in this position at this point in the season. Prior to the start of the year, no one thought they were anywhere close to contending for a postseason spot. And when Munetaka Murakmi went down with a hamstring strain, the belief was that their early winning ways would come to an end without him.

Chicago White Sox slugger Munetaka Murakami is close to returning

After the White Sox got off to a strong start to the season, Murakami received a great deal of credit for propelling the team to victory. When he went down, many thought that they were not going to be able to keep pace in the American League Central.

But they have. What is more, they gained ground on Cleveland and ended up overtaking them in the standings. And now, Murakami is nearing his return:

Munetaka Murakami is supposed to run today and if all goes well, he will travel to @KnightsBaseball Monday for injury rehab. Could rejoin the White Sox at some point this week if all goes well.

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 5, 2026

As one can see from the post above, if Murakami responds well to running today, he will head out on a rehab assignment. At that point, it would only be a matter of days until he is able to return to Chicago’s lineup.

In 57 games played this season, Murakami is hitting .240/.378/.560 with 20 home runs and 41 RBI.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox suggest the Guardians may have cheated
• White Sox receive frustrating MLB trade deadline update from insider
• White Sox advised approach to MLB trade deadline revealed

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox took a brief 3-1 lead in the top of the fifth inning via a three-run homer by Miguel Vargas with two outs in wet conditions on Friday night.

Then came a rain delay that was full of controversy.

While rain had been falling during Vargas’ at-bat, umpires called for the tarp to come out following the home run.

The delay caused the White Sox to pull starting pitcher Anthony Kay before the bottom of the fifth inning. He gave up one earned run and one hit in four innings pitched. He told reporters after the game that he was hoping to pitch at least two more innings and felt like the two teams could have played another 20 to 30 minutes in what he called “light rain.”

Kay felt the way Cleveland brought out the tarp showed poor gamesmanship.

“But the second that Vargas hits that home run, they pull the tarp,” Kay said, via the Chicago Sun-Times. “So there definitely was some bull— on their part to get me out of the game. It’s pretty messed up for them to do something like that and get me out of the game that way.”

“I stayed in the dugout for probably 15 more minutes. We played through it up until Vargas hit the homer. I don’t even think he was finished rounding the bases when they pulled the tarp out. So there was definitely some gamesmanship, and I don’t think it was right for them to do that.”

More News: White Sox receive frustrating MLB trade deadline update as July begins

Chicago White Sox unhappy with Guardians ground crew

More News: Chicago White Sox advised approach to MLB trade deadline revealed

But the tarp came out via the umpires’ decision, which wasn’t the fault of the Guardians. Still, White Sox manager Will Venable didn’t appreciate how the Guardians’ ground crew dumped water in the outfield.

“With Colson (Montgomery), just deep into the grass there, wasn’t able to stop that ball from getting by him,” Venable said. “And then (Sam Antonacci), that’s where they dumped all the water. It was a mess out there. He’s coming in hard trying to make a play, and it just got by him.”

The Guardians tied the game at 3-3 in the seventh inning thanks to hits into a sloppy-looking outfield that Montgomery and Antonacci had a hard time fielding in the wet conditions.

Cleveland wound up winning the game 4-3 in front of 33,646 fans at Progressive Field. In the midst of a three-game losing streak for Chicago, the Guardians now have a one-game lead in the AL Central before the two teams play on Saturday night.

No doubt, the White Sox will have some extra motivation to beat Cleveland on Saturday night and Sunday to end the critical four-game series.

For More Chicago Sports:

Follow me on Twitter at @JordanSig, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Jordan Sigler via email at jordanmsigler@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, For more on the NCAA, head to Newsweek Sports.Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox have been one of the most intriguing team in all of baseball this season. Just about everyone felt they would once again be in the basement of the AL Central heading into 2026, but instead, they are in first place past the halfway point.

So, it begs the question: what exactly will the White Sox do at the MLB trade deadline?

Will Chicago buy to continue its playoff push and to perhaps make an attempt at a deep October run? Will it sell off some pieces to focus on the future? Or will it mostly stand pat?

General manager Chris Getz has not really played his hand just yet, which makes perfect sense. You don’t want other teams to know your strategy, and to be quite frank, Getz himself probably doesn’t know for sure what to do just yet.

The next four weeks will surely determine the White Sox’s path, and Bleacher Report’s Joel Reuter has provided an update for the team as far as their trade deadline plans are concerned.

Chicago White Sox’s MLB trade deadline plans land update

July has officially begun, and with the trade deadline on Aug. 3, things are beginning to take shape.

However, Chicago is still in limbo as far as what its decision will be at the deadline, and Reuter seems to think the White Sox are either one big winning streak or one big losing streak away from coming to a consensus.

“The White Sox have arrived sooner than expected, so the question now is whether they start pushing chips in for short-term upgrades or continue to focus on building something sustainable for the long term,” Reuter wrote.

Of course, with Chicago being at the top of the AL Central and the second-place Cleveland Guardians showing very little sign of making a major run, it would be hard to market a sell-off to your fanbase in the coming weeks.

White Sox fans have been starving for success, and now, they’re finally getting a taste of it. It wouldn’t be a good look for Chicago move some key veterans in order to continue positioning itself for the long haul. But at the same time, can the South Siders risk mortgaging their future just for a pie-in-the-sky shot at a World Series this year?

We’ll see what the White Sox decide to do in the coming weeks.

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Prior to the start of the 2026 MLB season, no one thought that the Chicago White Sox were going be very good. After all, they had lost over 100 games in each of the previous three seasons. In 2024, they set the Major League record with 121 losses in a single season.

All fans hoped for was a step forward, signs that, someday, the White Sox could be a competitive baseball team again. And to their surprise, they not only got that, but they are watching a team that currently is tied for first place in the American League Central Division.

Chicago White Sox urged to take a conservative approach to the MLB trade deadline

Last week, ESPN had the White Sox slotted in the top-ten of their MLB power rankings. After a rough week, though, they have now been dropped down to 12th:

“The White Sox’s feel-good first half teetered a bit when they dropped five of six during a tough road trip against the Yankees and Tigers. While the young Sox remain well-positioned in the soft AL Central, it’s too soon to know if they’ll be in position to add at the deadline.

“One thing that has marked this Chicago squad has been the number of successful promotions of internally developed prospects they’ve seen this season. And seemingly, the younger the White Sox have gotten, the better they’ve played. As long as this keeps up, a conservative deadline approach might end up being the best bet for the short and long term.”

As one can see, the explanation for the ranking is actually filled with praise for Chicago’s young talent and the prospects they are still developing.

Due to these things, the White Sox are advised to take a conservative approach at the MLB trade deadline. Instead of trading prospects that can help them both now and in the future, they should try to acquire players whose price tags are not as steep.

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• The White Sox should avoid this one All-Star at MLB trade deadline
• White Sox predicted to land 1x All-Star at MLB trade deadline
• White Sox trade deadline plans just took an unfortunate turn

For More Chicago Sports

Follow me on Twitter at @theotherRobin19, and follow us @ChiCitySports23. You can also reach out to Robin Adams via email at robadams14@gmail.com. To read more of our articles and keep up to date on the latest in ALL of Chicago sports, click here! Chicago Bears, Chicago Bulls, Chicago Cubs, Chicago White Sox, Chicago Blackhawks

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The Chicago White Sox just took two out of three from the Cleveland Guardians to retake the lead in the AL Central, and given that Jose Ramirez is sidelined for the foreseeable future, the division could be theirs to lose.

Of course, the White Sox definitely need to patch up some holes between now and the MLB trade deadline if they want to truly separate themselves, and perhaps their primary issue of concern is their thin starting rotation.

Beyond Davis Martin and Sean Burke, Chicago’s pitching staff is very limited. The White Sox’s starters own a 4.37 ERA, and they really don’t even have any definitive answers after Martin, Burke and Anthony Kay. Noah Schultz is currently rehabbing from a knee injury that has kept him sidelined since last month, but he has a 5.82 ERA through eight starts.

Chicago wasn’t expected to be a buyer heading into the 2026 campaign, but now, it’s looking more and more like the South Siders might get aggressive. They could use some more offense, as well, but adding another starting pitcher should be the main priority.

There is one arm, however, that the White Sox should should absolutely avoid: New York Mets right-hander Freddy Peralta.

Chicago White Sox should steer clear of Freddy Peralta

The Mets acquired Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason, hoping that the two-time All-Star would lead their pitching staff.

Instead, Peralta has logged a 4.83 ERA across his first 16 starts, and while that number is definitely a bit inflated from his most recent start when he surrendered 10 earned runs against the Philadelphia Phillies, it wasn’t like he was pitching all that well at any point this season.

The 30-year-old owns a 4.32 FIP and 1.389 WHIP. His strikeout rate (8.7 K/9) has absolutely plummeted and is well below his career average of 10.9 punchouts per nine innings. What’s more, he is an impending free agent who will probably get overpaid next winter.

Chicago absolutely cannot afford to part with substantial prospect capital to land a struggling pitcher who will simply walk after the season. Yes, there is no question that Peralta’s price tag has dropped, but you can bet that there will still be somewhat of a bidding war for the Dominican native given the fact that he posted a 2.70 ERA last year.

The White Sox should stay far away from Peralta and explore more affordable options, preferably ones still under club control.

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The Chicago White Sox finished the 2024 MLB season 41-121. It was the worst season in Major League history, and a true rock bottom for one of baseball’s oldest franchises. Now, in 2026, they are 41-37 and, to the surprise of just about everyone, in first place of the American League Central Division.

Indeed, it certainly seems that, as the season approaches its halfway point, the White Sox are serious contenders for a spot in the postseason. That being said, they are far from a perfect team and will need to make some improvements in order to seriously make some noise.

The area with the most obvious room for improvement is their starting pitching.

The Chicago White Sox are predicted to trade for Seth Lugo

For years, the White Sox have been sellers at the deadline. They have traded away several former players for prospects and young talent, some of whom are currently contributing to their rebirth this season.

Now, though, Chicago needs to take on the role of buyers, and Bleacher Report predicts that Seth Lugo will be a starting pitcher they attain ahead of the trade deadline:

“It’s a nice season the White Sox are having, but their starting rotation is threatening to undo it. It ranks dead-last in innings for the season, and it has a 6.71 ERA in June. A horse like Lugo is therefore a perfect target on paper.

“Lugo is signed through 2027 with a club option for 2028, which is ideal for a White Sox club that is still early in its contention cycle. Even if it means upgrading an AL Central rival’s farm, he’s worth a lesser bat like Colby Shelton (No. 9) or Javier Mogollon (No. 10).”

More Chicago White Sox news from ChiCity Sports

• White Sox trade deadline plans just took an unfortunate turn
• White Sox trade proposal nets breakout start to solve growing problem
• White Sox make a change behind the plate

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The Chicago White Sox appear to be the cream of the crop in the AL Central, as they just took the first two games of a three-game series against the Cleveland Guardians to grab a two-game lead over the Guardians in the loss column for first place in the division.

However, even with the White Sox sitting at 41-37 and firmly in playoff contention, it’s clear this team has significant problems that need to be addressed.

The most glaring of all is Chicago’s starting rotation, which has incredibly limited depth beyond Davis Martin and Sean Burke and doesn’t have any immediate internal answers. As a result, the White Sox are expected to pursue starting pitching before the MLB trade deadline, but will they actually be able to land anyone?

Two names that were floated as possibilities for Chicago were Los Angeles Angels pitchers Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano given the fact that the Angels are essentially out of the playoff race at this point, but Bob Nightengale of USA TODAY has revealed some rough news for the South Siders on that front.

Apparently, the Angels won’t be moving either hurler.

Chicago White Sox receive bad MLB trade deadline news

Nightengale has reported that Los Angeles does not seem to be in any rush to move some of its more desirable pieces between now and Aug. 3.

“The Los Angeles Angels also plan to retain their key players at the deadline with owner Arte Moreno not wanting to unload starters Reid Detmers and Jose Soriano, or outfielder Jo Adell. Detmers and Soriano still are under team control through 2028, while Adell is eligible for free agency after the 2027 season,” Nightengale wrote.

Detmers had been linked to the White Sox numerous times in recent weeks, featuring a strong profile in terms of strikeouts and underlying metrics that had many teams interested in the left-hander. Soriano, meanwhile, leads the league with 46 walks, but owns a 3.03 ERA and boasts a 138 ERA+.

Of course, it’s still possible that the Angels have a change of heart in the coming weeks, and it’s entirely possible they are just trying to gain leverage in trade talks by pretending that neither pitcher is available. But whether or not Chicago would want to pay such an exorbitant price for either arm is the question.

The White Sox definitely have assets in their farm system, but they may decide not to mortgage the future just because they are a year or two ahead of schedule.

We’ll see if Chicago does decide to make a push to improve its starting rotation as we inch closer and closer to the deadline.

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The Chicago White Sox are somehow contenders this season, which I don’t even think the White Sox themselves anticipated. But that doesn’t mean the team doesn’t have significant problems that must be prepared before the MLB trade deadline.

Chicago needs to fix its starting rotation, and it could also use another bat in a lineup that is very top-heavy. Not only that, but the White Sox could stand to improve a bullpen that ranks 19th in baseball in ERA and 26th in win probability added.

Seranthony Dominguez has been a significant problem in the closer role, so Chicago will need to find a solution between now and Aug. 3 if it wants to make a serious playoff push this year.

Of course, elite closers don’t just grow on trees, and the cost to acquire them is typically steep. The White Sox surely don’t want to break the bank for a relief pitcher this summer, so they may try to explore some more affordable options.

Andrew Apostolakis of Southside Showdown has identified an intriguing trade target in that regard: Colorado Rockies right-hander Antonio Senzatela.

Chicago White Sox linked to trade for Antonio Senzatela

Senzatela was converted into a full-time reliever this year and has experienced considerable success, pitching to the tune of a 2.23 ERA. And while he’s making decent money this season and in 2027, Apostolakis feels that will diminish the cost in a potential deal.

“He currently owns a 2.23 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP. He only has three saves because his appearances in the ninth inning have been rare, but he’s still been incredibly effective in the role he’s been given. Senzatela is owed $12 million this season and has a $14 million option for 2027, so he’s a bit on the expensive side, but that should make him fairly cheap to acquire in terms of prospect cost,” Apostolakis wrote.

Senzatela entered the big leagues with the Rockies in 2017 and has actually spent his entire career there, laying claim to a 5.04 ERA and 1.491 WHIP. Keep in mind, though, that those numbers came as a starter. He seems much more comfortable in a bullpen role this season, so perhaps the 31-year-old has found new life.

The White Sox have one of the lowest payrolls in baseball, so they can afford to take on Senzatela’s money. The question is whether or not they would actually want to trade anything for a pitcher who had been subpar for the first nine years of his career.

If Chicago wants to make the playoffs, though, it will have to take some risks, and acquiring Senzatela could be one of them.

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After catcher Edgar Quero struggled to hold onto the starting catcher’s job this season, the Chicago White Sox are opting to make a change.

In a team announcement released on Monday morning, the White Sox have reinstated catcher Kyle Teel (right hamstring strain) from the 60-day injured list, while optioning Quero to Triple-A Charlotte. Teel had not appeared in a game for the White Sox all season after injuring his hamstring playing for Italy in the World Baseball Classic.

More White Sox News: Chicago White Sox linked to trade for slugger with elite trait

During his rehab assignment in Charlotte, Teel tore the cover off the baseball, batting .387 with a 1.054 OPS, mashing two home runs and driving in six RBI in eight games. Teel was a favorite to be the White Sox’s starting catcher this season, after putting together a solid rookie campaign last season. Teel batted .273 with a .786 OPS, eight home runs, 11 doubles and 35 RBI.

pic.twitter.com/8lsYPQJvEW

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) June 22, 2026

Kyle Teel will likely be the Chicago White Sox’s starting catcher moving forward

Quero had every opportunity to take the starting catching job and run with it, but he failed. In 55 games, the 23-year-old batted .187 with a .486 OPS and two home runs, while striking out 41 times in 150 at-bats. Quero’s poor performance led manager Will Venable to platoon him with Drew Romo, who has also not performed, other than hitting for power. Romo batted .144 with five home runs in 90 at-bats.

Teel will likely be in the starting lineup for Venable on Monday when the White Sox open a three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians. Having Teel back for this series is huge for the White Sox (39-37), as they sit a game behind the Guardians (41-37) in the American League Central standings.

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The Chicago White Sox have hit a bit of a rough patch over the last week, as they have lost fix of their last six games heading into a pivotal three-game series with the Cleveland Guardians that begins on Monday evening.

A litany of issues have plagued the White Sox during this stretch. Their starting rotation has been problematic, and their lack of offensive depth is beginning to become an issue.

Yes, Chicago is still without Munetaka Murakami, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, but even with Murakami healthy, it’s clear that its lineup is not entirely up to snuff. The White Sox are hitting just .237 as a team, and their .319 OBP could stand to improve.

Chicago could look to make some additions between now and the MLB trade deadline, and finding a strong contact hitter might be near the top of their to-do list.

On that note, Michael DeRosa of Southside Showdown has pitched a very intriguing trade target for the White Sox: San Francisco Giants outfielder Jung Hoo Lee.

Chicago White Sox linked to trade for Jung Hoo Lee

Lee has been one of the best average hitters in baseball this season, slashing .327/.359/.456 with four home runs, 18 doubles and 26 RBI. He has struck out just 26 times, which should definitely be appealing for a Chicago squad that ranks near the bottom of baseball in punchouts.

“Lee would have the potential to be an excellent addition to the White Sox’s roster as they continue their playoff push. While he has an opt-out in his contract following the 2027 season, they’d get at least one other year of control on Lee, which adds to his appeal,” DeRosa wrote.

The 27-year-old came over to the majors from Korea in 2024 and has slashed .282/.333/.409 since arriving. The 2026 campaign has definitely represented a breakout year for Lee, who was a fantastic .340 hitter in the KBO.

The one caveat with Lee is that he is an awful defender. He posted a minus-18 DRS and minus-5 OAA last season, and this year, he has registered a minus-5 DRS and minus-2 OAA. But the White Sox could really use his bat, so they may be willing to look past that.

Of course, cost matters, so Chicago would have to see exactly how much the Giants would be asking in return for Lee, but if San Francisco is willing to move the lefty slugger, the White Sox should at least listen pretty intently.

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