The Chicago White Sox are closing in on breaking the 1962 New York Mets record for most losses in a 162-game season.
At the rate this team rarely wins, they could also flirt with having fewer wins than the 1916 Philadelphia A's (36) and the 1935 Boston Braves (38).
For the context of how bad that is, not only have the A's and the Braves left those towns, but they also left the markets they moved to as well.
No matter how badly the Sox finish the season, at least this miserable season is ending soon. That means some bad players no longer have to be on this roster once the final out is made in Detroit.
There are five pitchers that the Chicago White Sox should not consider bringing back next season.
Mike Clevinger
Bringing him back this season was a bad idea in the first place. He did have good value numbers in 2023 with a 2.2 fWAR, but it was also telling that he was still not signed by any pro team after spring training concluded.
The problem was he always came with major character problems and injury concerns. This season it was a neck injury that landed him on the IL. Unlike last season where his IL stint was short, this injury ended his season.
When he was healthy this season, he was terrible. He also took away precious developmental innings from younger, more promising pitchers such as Jonathan Cannon.
It was foolish to sign him thinking he could replicate his 2023 season and a contender would want to trade for him, especially since when he was available on the open market, twice, no other team wanted him.
The Sox cannot entertain him as the veteran pitcher to push promising prospects Nick Nastrini, Ky Bush, Jairo Iriarte, and Mason Adams in spring training for the fifth starter spot.
Plus, this team cannot afford any more public relations hits.