A Look Around the AL Central - The Chicago White Sox

[Cory Moen]

Image courtesy of © Brett Davis-Imagn Images

With the Twins looking to return to being competitive in the AL Central, we wanted to take a look around at the other teams in the division and what moves they made this offseason. This is a look at what to expect from the Chicago White Sox this season. 

The White Sox finished last in the division with a 60-102 record, marking their second straight season with over 100 losses after setting an MLB record with 121 in 2024.

Here is a look at some notable additions and subtractions for the White Sox this offseason.

Subtractions
OF Luis Robert Jr.
SP Martin Perez
RP Tyler Alexander
OF Michael A. Taylor
RP Miguel Castro
OF Mike Tauchman

Additions
INF Munetaka Murakami, 2 years, $34 million
RP Seranthony Dominguez, 2 years, $20 million
SP Anthony Kay, 2 years, $12 million, mutual option for 2028
SP/RP Jordan Hicks (trade w/Red Sox)
OF Austin Hays 1 year, $6 million, mutual option for 2027
2B Luisangel Acuna (trade with Mets)
SP/RP Sean Newcomb 1 year, $4.5 million
OF Jarred Kelenic (minor league deal)
P Erick Fedde, 1 year, $1.5 million

Chicago made headlines this offseason with several notable changes. The addition of infielder Munetaka Murakami, signed from the NPB in Japan, is expected to bring significant power to the lineup despite a tendency for strikeouts. Seranthony Dominguez was signed as the new closer to help improve a bullpen that has struggled for the last couple of years.

Just as notable as their signings, the White Sox made a major move by trading former All-Star and Silver Slugger OF Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets. In return, they acquired infielder Luisangel Acuna—brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr.—along with pitching prospect Truman Pauley.

The White Sox also acquired veteran pitcher Jordan Hicks in a trade with the Red Sox. Hicks is expected to either join the starting rotation or be used as a high-leverage relief pitcher, depending on team needs.

Although the additions seem to surpass the subtractions for the South Siders, the overall impact will depend on how the team manages a new direction and if young players can take a step forward to being more consistently competitive going forward. 

Here is a look at a few injuries and the players who should have the biggest impact on the successes the White Sox will have in 2026. 

Injuries
LHP Ky Bush, Tommy John surgery
RHP Drew Thorpe, Tommy John surgery
1B Tim Elko - Torn ACL - expected return June/July
RHP Prelander Berroa - Recovering from Tommy John surgery in March 2025.

Losing two pitchers to Tommy John surgery—Ky Bush, a top thirty prospect, and Drew Thorpe—depletes pitching depth. Tim Elko and Prelander Berroa have gotten a cup of coffee, but they will be out to start the year, which will limit options in the lineup and out of the bullpen.

Key Players 
SS Colson Montgomery - 3.3 bWAR
SP Adrian Houser - 3.0 bWAR
RP Mike Vasil - 2.9 bWAR
SP Shane Smith - 2.3bWAR
C Kyle Teel - 1.9 bWAR
3B Miguel Vargas - 1.9 bWAR

Other players include starting pitcher Davis Martin, infielder Chase Meidroth, outfielder Andrew Benintendi, and utility player Lenyn Sosa (2B/OF).

Notably, SS Colson Montgomery finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and led the team in bWAR in 2026. Starting pitchers Adrian Houser and Shane Smith will anchor the rotation, with Smith displaying front-line potential thus far in his career. Catcher Kyle Teel and third baseman Miguel Vargas are also young players aiming to build on strong 2025 campaigns and step into more prominent roles at their respective positions.

With a team looking to return become more competitive, there will be opportunity for a number of young players. Young players can help speed up a rebuild and return a team to competitiveness quickly if they are called up and have success. 

The White Sox system boasts five prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, led by OF Braden Montgomery, whose advanced approach and athleticism make him a potential everyday outfielder. LHP Noah Schultz, a power lefty, is expected to contribute to the major league rotation as early as 2026. LHP Hagen Smith projects as high-upside rotation depth. Both SS Billy Carlson and SS/3B Caleb Bonemer show promise but may need more seasoning in the minors before contending for roster spots.

Spring Storylines (and beyond)

Early in the year, attention will rest on how the team's catcher and designated hitter roles take shape. With three catchers—Teel, Edgar Quero, and Korey Lee—vying for playing time both behind the plate and at DH, and potential contributions from Murakami, Andrew Benintendi, and Lenyn Sosa in the DH role, this competition will be something worth keeping an eye on. 

Like many teams, the White Sox will be hoping their young players can take a step forward and provide the next core of players to build around when they return to contention. Colson Montgomery and Shane Smith will headline the position player and pitchers as young players with high upside.

Munetaka Murakami signing with the White Sox was a bit of a surprise, and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to MLB. Transitioning leagues can present challenges, and evaluation will focus on both his adjustment to Major League pitching and how opponents approach him as well. Murakami brings considerable potential, especially in the power department.

With all of the additions shaping the roster for this year and into the future, here is a look at the projected lineup, rotation, and expected record for the White Sox in 2026.

Projected Lineup
Chase Meidroth - 2B
Kyle Teel - C
Colson Montgomery - SS
Munetaka Murakami - 1B
Miguel Vargas - 3B
Austin Hays - RF
Andrew Benintendi - LF
Edgar Quero - DH
Brooks Baldwin - CF

Projected Rotation
Shane Smith - RHP
Davis Martin - RHP
Anthony Kay - LHP
Erick Fedde - RHP
Sean Burke - RHP

Projected Record
PECOTA: 5th place, 69-93
Fangraphs: 5th place, 69-93
While the projections may temper White Sox fans' expectations, the roster features intriguing talent and some interesting storylines to keep an eye on this year. Both PECOTA and Fangraphs see improvement over last year, making it worth watching whether the team can surpass forecasts and build momentum throughout 2026 and beyond.

While not projected as favorites, the White Sox are positioned to offer stronger competition in the AL Central this season than in recent seasons. Progress this year could spark renewed division rivalries and signify important steps toward contending for the division crown in the near future for the South Siders.

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[mikelink45]

I like what they have done - I actually think they benefit by having Luis Roberts off the team.  The Twins better step up because the White Sox are coming and we definitely do not want them to pass us.

[IndianaTwin]

After becoming just the seventh AL team to lose 100 three years in a row, I'd be glad to see them join the 1961-64 Senators as just the second team to do it four years in a row. 

 

[bean5302]

There's enough talent on the White Sox to win 75+ games this year. Losing Kyle Teel for the first month or two won't be great for them, but provided some of their low-key OF acquisitions pan out, their lineup could be respectable enough overall.

Their rotation is probably going to be a mess, but projections seem overly pessimistic to me. I don't think they'll lose 100, but.... terrible, terrible, terrible culture there for a long time. Just tough to say.

[Parfigliano]

They will finish ahead of TC

[Permanent Twins Fan]

As much as I love to hate on the White Sox, they definitely had a much more productive offseason than the Twins this year. I think they are probably a two years away from being real contenders, but there are definitely some interesting pieces. If nothing else, they should improve on last season. I could definitely see them winning 70-75 games. 

[Blyleven2011]

58 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

They will finish ahead of TC

I wish the writers would stop using the words competitive , a competitive team wins more than 81 games , it's not going to happen for the twins even if they would have a 20 game winning streak , they then would lose 20 in arow  ...

I look forward to watching our twins during the season  , I look forward to improvement in the clutch with runners on 2nd and 3rd and no outs , better defense would be something to be proud of , the offense should be alittle stronger than last year ...

Starting pitchers a has depth but how good , they're young 

[Doctor Wu]

9 hours ago, Permanent Twins Fan said:

As much as I love to hate on the White Sox, they definitely had a much more productive offseason than the Twins this year.

Very true. They were aggressive and made some good moves while the Twins played their usual waiting game. That said, I still think the Chisox are a sub .500 team, while I still hold out hope that the Twins can actually battle for a playoff spot. Lots of things need to go right obviously, but I still think we have the stronger team. But we can't assume the Chisox are pushovers, They have improved and hungry for more wins.