The Chicago White Sox made a 19-game improvement with 60 wins in 2025 after just 41 in 2024. But they still posted their third consecutive 100-loss season, finishing with 102.
Changes are already underway with a number of open coaching positions on manager Will Venable’s staff.
What else is ahead? Here are three offseason questions.
1. What will Will Venable’s new coaching staff look like?
Ethan Katz had been the pitching coach since 2021, working with the likes of Dylan Cease, Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito and Carlos Rodón along the way.
This season the Sox saw Shane Smith go from Rule 5 draft selection to All-Star. That was a highlight for a staff that placed 20th in the majors with a 4.26 ERA. Sox pitchers in general had command issues, allowing the second-most walks (595) in the majors.
That’s one area for the new pitching coach to address after the Sox announced they did not renew Katz’s contract for 2026.
Additionally, the Sox are in the market for new hitting, first-base, outfield and catching coaches. And Grady Sizemore — the team’s offensive coordinator in 2025 — was offered a role within the organization for 2026.
Marcus Thames was the hitting coach the last two seasons. The Sox ranked 28th in the majors with a .675 OPS in 2025 — but made strides in that category through the season by placing 13th (.727) after the All-Star break.
There is young talent to work with, including shortstop Colson Montgomery and catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero.
Jason Bourgeois and Drew Butera were the first-base/outfield and catching coaches, respectively, in 2024-25.
There will be several new faces in the dugout heading into Venable’s second season as manager.
“Our respect for these coaches as people and as professionals made these decisions difficult, and we thank them for their many contributions,” general manager Chris Getz said in a statement when the Sox announced the moves Sept. 29. “Our commitment remains to provide the best possible vision, ideas and resources to our players to support their continuing growth and development.”
2. What’s the plan for Luis Robert Jr.?
Robert’s name came up time and again in trade speculation last offseason. And again throughout the early portion of the 2025 season. And again as the trade deadline approached in July.
The Sox held on to the center fielder, who had a .223/.297/.364 slash line with 14 home runs, 53 RBIs, 52 runs and 33 stolen bases in 110 games.
Robert, 28, got off to a slow start but slashed .298/.352/.456 in 31 games after the All-Star break before his season was cut short by a left hamstring strain suffered in late August.
The Sox hold $20 million club options on Robert for both 2026 and 2027, with $2 million buyouts for either season.
In mid-September, Getz said the injury would not affect their decision.
“When he hurt his hamstring, we knew that was a possibility that there might be an injury that hits him or someone else,” Getz said Sept. 17. “But Luis has obviously proven that he can be an impactful player, and it doesn’t need to just be in the (batter’s) box.
“He’s still in a White Sox uniform. We anticipate him being in a White Sox uniform next year and continuing to strengthen our group up the middle.”
It will be interesting to see how the outfield depth shakes out. As of Monday, outfielders listed on the 40-man roster included Robert, Mike Tauchman, Andrew Benintendi, Brooks Baldwin, Derek Hill and Michael A. Taylor — with the reminder that Taylor announced his intention to retire at the end of the season.
3. Will Grant Taylor start or remain in the bullpen?
Taylor generated a lot of buzz — and strikeouts — with a fastball clocked at more than 100 mph during spring training.
He carried that over to Double A, where he began the season as a starter before moving to the Birmingham bullpen.
The right-hander earned a promotion to the majors in early June, and the Sox largely used him as a reliever (36 appearances, two starts as an opener). He went 2-4 with a 4.91 ERA, 54 strikeouts and six saves in 36 2/3 innings.
Now the Sox have to figure out whether Taylor, 23, will remain in the bullpen or join the rotation.
The only three Sox pitchers with at least 20 starts in 2025 were Smith (29), Davis Martin (25) and Sean Burke (22), so the rotation is far from solidified. There are also pitchers on track to come back from injuries at some point in 2026, such as Drew Thorpe. And prospects Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith will be aiming to take the next steps in their careers.
The Sox have plenty to consider as they come up with the plan for Taylor.
“He’s obviously come up here and really helped our bullpen,” Getz said Sept. 17. “It’s more than just what his inning or two innings might provide. It’s more being able to put some of our other arms in roles (that) are better for them. That just speaks to what he’s capable of doing and the depth that continues to grow in the bullpen role.
“We’ll continue to have that conversation and figure out what’s best for him and our club.”