The White Sox are back to work at Spring Training, which means it’s time to overreact and make season predictions based on limited data. It’s fun to be optimistic and bold when there’s nothing to lose, and everyone’s just happy the sun is out after 6:00 p.m. Even if you don’t believe these will happen, let yourself imagine these events actually playing out. In reality, that world isn’t as fantastical as you may believe.
The Sox will have a winning record in two months of the season
Chicago hasn’t won more than half their games in a month since May 2023. Oh, how time flies. But this year will be different. Although a winning record for one-third of the season does not make a playoff team, the Sox will surprise people with their competitiveness. June is realistically the time for them to win 14 of their 26 games. They have a decent chance of sweeping the Twins at Target Field, taking two of three games against the Braves, Royals, and Guardians at home, and spoiling the Tigers’ homestand with a series win. That just leaves not getting swept on the road against the Yankees and Phillies.
Their September schedule is easier and offers another chance to put forth a winning record. Hosting the Twins, Pirates, and Rockies while visiting the recently torn-down Cardinals are positive signs. Two series against their division rivals is also an incentive to play spoiler to the playoff race. All of this assumes that the Sox won’t catch late-season fatigue and will still be motivated to play like there’s no tomorrow, even if they’re well out of the playoff race, but it wouldn’t be a bold prediction if those were guaranteed.
Braden Montgomery will be an AL Rookie of the Year contender
The South Siders’ No. 1 prospect and MLB’s No. 36 will make a splash this season. Montgomery’s rapid acceleration through the minors carries plenty of promise for his big career. His stable .270/.360/.444 slash line and 55 walks across 121 games from Single through Double-A last season demonstrate his ability to thrive at higher levels. His recent Spring Training performance — including two triples and an impressive home run off Shota Imanaga — is garnering attention across baseball. If he can tap into the plus raw power that scouts identified, he could quickly make a name for himself.
While he still has to face Triple-A pitching, the White Sox could expedite Montgomery’s big league debut if Brooks Baldwin or Luisangel Acuña can’t hold down center field. Montgomery’s odds to win AL ROY are +6600 per BetMGM on February 24, but he could quickly make a case for some votes by August if everything works in his favor.
Andrew Benintendi finds a new home
This year is the best time for Chris Getz to deal Benintendi at the trade deadline. After another season marred by a couple of injury stints, a feeble arm, and spotty hitting, Benintendi showed that the only thing separating him from sitting in Triple-A is his 2018 World Series ring and Getz’s affinity towards former Royals. With a hefty price tag of $17.1 million, it will be difficult to entice a team to accept his .240/.307/.431 slash line and weak arm, and offer a fair return. But the GM shouldn’t be focused on getting the cream of the crop. Trading Benintendi would serve as a salary dump that helps clear up the outfield strategy before the 2026 draft, where they have a top-4 pick in each of the first five rounds.
Outside of pure stubbornness, there’s no tactical reason to allow Benintendi to hog a roster spot past 2026. Benintendi’s middling bat and contract only blocks young talent from filling out this rebuilding team.