As we all know, the White Sox set a historical record for futility by finishing with a record of 41-121. Now, the roster has been heavily turned over, there's a new manager in Will Venable, and promising prospects are pushing their way toward the major leagues.
What will this year bring?
On the surface, it seems like a Sox clubhouse cleared of the toxicity of the past should be better. Not only that but as bad as the Sox were in 2024, they also had their share of bad luck.
So perhaps, this team could be frisky.
To be clear, "frisky" doesn't mean playoffs or even playoff contention. This is still a team that will probably lose at least 90 and perhaps a tick over 100 games. It just seems, and this author admits it's mostly based on gut feelings, that this team could be fun to watch and could, perhaps, look good for periods of time before fading. The Pittsburgh Pirates, no stranger to the cellar, have done this in recent years.
On the other hand, the Sox have FIVE pitchers headed for Tommy John surgery. FIVE. Including prized prospect Drew Thorpe. The others are Prelander Berroa, Ky Bush, Juan Carela, and Blake Larson. Mason Adams might also be going under the knife.
It was uncertain how many of those guys were expected to see time with the big-league club this season, but they are part of the team's future. If not as rostered players then as potential trade chips. Whether it's bad training, conditioning, coaching, and preparation, or whether it's bad luck -- or some combination -- this is definitely something fans don't want to see on the eve of Opening Day.
What this fan wants to see is bounce-back seasons from Andrew Benintendi, Andrew Vaughn, and Luis Robert Jr. Sox fans would love to see if Colson Montgomery is ready to finally be the team's full-time shortstop, but back issues have slowed his ascent.
Once again, an injury is pushing back the career of a possibly exciting White Sox prospect.
There are other mysteries surrounding the Sox. Is Robert going to remain with this team through another rebuild or be shipped out for a massive haul of prospects? Is general manager Chris Getz capable of doing the job or is he simply a loyalty hire handpicked by owner Jerry Reinsdorf, doomed to fail due to a lack of ability? Maybe on-the-job training will suffice?
Will unpopular play-by-play man John Schriffen finally settle down and settle in -- and perhaps find a groove that finally allows him to be welcomed by Sox fans who aren't over the departure of Jason Benetti? Will this be the year that the jokes about a milkshake being the team's MVP are put to rest?
We're about to find out. Hope springs eternal on Opening Day, but injuries have put a black cloud over a franchise trying to emerge from a dark hole. Imagine climbing out of the cave from hell to be greeted by a thunderstorm, with the sun visible in the dim distance.
That's the 2025 Chicago White Sox. Anything can happen. But while most franchises have a sense of their direction, this one is still trying to get out of the ditch and get on the right road.