A realistic timeline for the new rebuild of the Chicago White Sox

The short answer to the question posed is two years ago, vs the Houston Astros in the AL Wildcard series when the Chicago White Sox notched one of the three wins they needed to move on in the playoffs.

But what about now? Two-thirds of the White Sox’s efficient starting pitching is gone, AA prospects fall into the system in return for players who are rented to competing teams, and the future in the minors looks a tad bit bleak.

Most of, if not all the returns reported as of now for Kendall Graveman, Lance Lynn and Joe Kelly, it looks as if the Sox are now full steam ahead on the future.

Now, not only do you have to work with the talent you have, Luis Robert Jr., Dylan Cease, Eloy Jimenez, and Zach Remillard are great build-around pieces, but also veterans that are brought in on ridiculous deals (looking at you Benintendi), and an effervescently revolving door to the manager’s quarters in the locker room.

If proper care is taken of returns in rental trades (which is most of what the Sox have made to this point), it won’t be too long, but a tough five years is a healthy ballpark number.

It’s still relatively early in the second half, and with Touki Toussaint stepping into Lucas Giolito’s rotation spot, on his scheduled start day, while Jake Burger continues to mash, the White Sox’s future is in good hands.

The next Chicago White Sox rebuild is officially underway.

With a few days still to go until we get to the MLB Trade Deadline, it is completely possible the White Sox are not done, especially with rumors still swirling regarding Tim Anderson, and his future with the club.

If Anderson is dealt, to this point, his performance has been below average, so Rick Hahn is going to have to be a master negotiator to get back some of what the club has lost, all while making sure not to be so over the top to get rid of TA, that it ends up being worse for the Sox, than the team the deal is made with.

The offseason, free agency, and the next few years of prospect development are going to be telltale in just how committed to shaping the best possible future, and the quickest run at contention the front office is.