[jksander]

March 18, 2025: Though Reinsdorf has repeatedly told the press he expects this team to remain respectable on the field, observers in sports media do not agree ... today the preseason predictions from Sporting News came out and the White Sox, to many southside fans’ surprise, were predicted to win 56 games, which would mark a 15-game improvement over last year’s record-breaking loser. That seems unlikely unless new GM and Manager David Harrison can pull a bunch of miracles out of his hat.

Noah Schultz gives the team one bright spot to focus upon. The 21-year-old lefty starter has been ranked 4th nationally by the Baseball News Network among all prospects, and he’s currently set to start his season at AAA Charlotte in the International League. The White Sox also have #7 prospect Hagen Smith, a 21-year-old lefty starter, set to start his season at AA Birmingham in the Southern League, but neither are expected to help the team this season -- though if Schultz excels in AAA, he could potentially be a late-season call-up to prep himself to join the team in 2026, when he would have Prospect Promotion Incentive potential.

These White Sox don’t have a ton of bargaining power to improve for the current season outside watching the waiver wire ... trading away any young studs to buy in would be a huge mistake. So most fans are digging in for another long season of rebuilding, particularly with a long list of injured players including Andrew Benintendi (LF, broken hand, 6-7 weeks) and a rash of pitchers who are out for the year including Prelander Berroa, Ky Bush, Juan Carela and minor leaguer Blake Larsen.

March 21, 2025: The White Sox’s new GM has made himself a handful of free agency signings, hoping that he’s got an eye for some diamonds in the rough who can help this team keep their heads above water this season.

Major League Signings
RP Craig Kimbrel, 36 -- 1 year, $1,575,000
SP Noah Syndergaard, 32 -- 1 year, $1,700,000
SP Ryan Weber, 34 -- 1 year, $1,500,000

Minor League Signings
RP John McMillon, 27 -- becomes $1,400,000 deal if promoted
RP Zach Agnos, 24 -- becomes $1,180,000 deal if promoted
RP Juan Then, 25 -- becomes $1,080,000 deal if promoted
CL Jason Ruffcorn, 26 -- becomes $940,000 deal if promoted

March 23, 2025: The White Sox successfully claimed 31-year-old backup catcher Jorge Alfaro off waivers from Milwaukee. Alfaro is a significant defensive improvement over current backup Korey Lee, who the team is demoting back to the minors to make room.
 
March 26, 2025: With opening day tomorrow against Houston with a 7:05 p.m. first pitch at Rate Field, the White Sox have announced their official opening day rosters:

Lineup
C - Kyle Teel
1B - Miguel Vargas
2B - Lenyn Sosa
3B - Josh Rojas
SS - Chase Meidroth
LF - Michael A. Taylor
CF - Luis Robert Jr.
RF - Mike Tauchman
DH - Andrew Vaughn

Bench: C Jorge Alfaro, 1B Joey Gallo, 2B Brandon Drury, LF Corey Julks

Starters
1 - RHP Sean Burke
2 - LHP Martin Perez
3 - RHP Noah Syndergaard
4 - RHP Jonathan Cannon
5 - LHP Ryan Weber

Bullpen
CL - RHP Craig Kimbrel
SE - LHP Brandon Eisert, RHP Justin Anderson
MR - RHP Shane Smith, RHP Penn Murfee
LR - RHP Mike Clevenger, RHP Justin Dunn
SPEC - LHP Tyler Gilbert

Ownership says they’re most interested in improving this team’s chemistry and improving fan engagement (laugh! It’s okay!) and are hoping the team won’t be outright terrible, though the ship has likely sailed on that. Long term they hope to build the team up to reach the playoffs by 2029, which while possible, seems like a pipe dream at the moment. The team picks 10th in the first round of the draft this year, but first in every subsequent round, so management will be hoping to add significant prospect depth to their talent pool. The draft reveal will take place on April 12th, with the combine starting in early June ahead of the July rookie draft.