The Chicago White Sox are currently 17-35, which is just two victories better than they were in 2024. Last year's squad started the season 15-35, which does not bode well for Chicago's odds of winning more games in 2025.
It would be nice for the White Sox to avoid another record-breaking losing season. But at this point, nobody can be surprised if they wind up with a similar record to last year.
A lot of the frugal offseason moves made are not working out. The bullpen is still blowing leads just like the relief corps did last season. The offense is still well below average with little power.
However, that is where the comparisons need to stop.
While we shall never forget how the White Sox cratered and decayed into the worst MLB team in the modern era, it is time to move forward.
There are five reasons to stop comparing the 2025 White Sox to the 2024 group.
1) As long as this year's team does not embark on a 14-game losing streak, this group will start to distance itself record-wise.
White the 2024 Sox started similarly to the 2025 Sox with a 15-35 record, last year's White Sox immediately followed that up with a franchise-record-setting losing streak. The Sox lost 14 straight games from May 22nd to June 9th and ended up 15-48.
That feels unlikely for this year's team. The Sox are 10-12 in May and have won four different series' this month alone.
2) the 2024 Sox won seven combined games between July and August.
The 2024 team was so bad that it broke the longest losing streak in franchise history. They lost an astonishing 21 straight games, which also tied the American League record.
The White Sox won seven games in total during the dog days of July and August, with three victories coming in July.
Keep in mind, the White Sox did not reach that low point by trading significant pieces at the trade deadline, either. Erick Fedde, Tommy Pham, Paul DeJong, Michael Kopech, and Tanner Banks were all on the team in July.
By improving the win totals in July and August, the Sox should avoid finishing with another historic losing record.
I don't think that level of misery is possible given the quality starting pitching Chicago has had this season.
3) This team has a better manager.
Will Venable is already establishing a culture where losing should not be flushed like his predecessor, Pedro Grifol, constantly spewed. Venable knows he is working with a talent deficient team, but he has also made it clear beating yourself will not be tolerated.
When Venable does call out the players, he does it respectfully. He seems authentic, whereas when Grifol finally decided to blast the team, it was awkward and poorly timed.
Maybe it's because Venable is a former big league player. He gets that being a "grinder" is not always going to win you games. That's what Pedro wanted - a bunch of grinders - but he ignored simple concepts like analytics and gameplans.
Say what you want about the bullpen, but at least Venable is willing to manage it modernly by using his best arms to get the critical outs when they are needed, even if that's not in the 9th inning.
Venable is still growing into the role, but his decisions seem to follow a sound process even if they don't always work out.
For example, this is the season to develop the team's young talent at or near the MLB level. It made sense to see if Mike Vasil, who has been succesful, could be more than a long reliever. The White Sox have been getting creative with Vasil's usage.
The only way to find out what a guy has got is to try things when the opportunity presents itself. Vasil failed to protect a slim lead last Wednesday, but if taking a loss means developmental data is gathered, so be it.
If you are unsure of Venable being a good manager, at least the franchise's greatest manager, Ozzie Guillen, is convinced Venable is an upgrade over Grifol.
4) This year's roster has young players who seem like viable future pieces.
Last year's group did not have many high-upside players to root for. You had Korey Lee looking like he could be the backup catcher of the future. Otherwise, there was no one on the roster who was looking like a player to build around.
Garret Crochet was always going to be traded. It was just a matter of whether a deal was happening at the trade deadline or in the offseason. Luis Robert Jr. was hurt and then struggled when he returned.
Jonathan Cannon, Sean Burke, and Davis Martin showed some promise, but it was in a very limited sample size.
At this point last year, Cannon was back in Triple-A after struggling in his first call-up. Martin was still rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, and Burke had not yet debuted.
This year, you have more confidence that Cannon and Martin will be solid starters for the White Sox over the rest of the decade. Burke could join them if he gets more consistent with his command.
Shane Smith has entered the picture as a potential All-Star starting pitcher. This year's No. 1 pick in the Rule 5 Draft has been stellar this season. He seems to clear another developmental hurdle every time he takes the rubber.
The year's roster has six players you can feel confident in being part of the franchise's next good team. This year's group has thing called hope. The 2024 White Sox did not.
5) Losing in 2025 could lead to the top pick in next year's draft.
Losing always sucks, but this year, there is a silver lining . The White Sox will actually be eligible for the lottery and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft.
The Sox were ineligible to have a top nine pick due to the new lottery rules preventing revenue-sharing teams from being lottery eligible in consecutive seasons.
Now that the White Sox have served that sentence, they are eligible for the MLB Draft Lottery. They can actually lead the Tankathon standings instead of being frozen in the 10th spot.
If there is a draft you want to win the No. 1 pick, it is the 2026 draft with a crop of elite prospects at the top of the draft board.