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3 questions the Chicago White Sox face after the All-Star break, including who will be traded by the deadline

July 18, 2025 by Chicago Tribune

Will Venable has soaked in a lot while navigating his first season as a major-league manager.

“One of the biggest things is as we try to go out every day and put our best foot forward and put these players out there in the best spots to succeed, being mindful of what that means long term is also significant,” Venable said Sunday. “For me to deploy these guys the right way, get the usages right, is something I’m always trying to calibrate, always trying to get right.

“There’s been a lot of lessons along the way, where I’ve learned from things that I’ve done or haven’t done and continued to try and be better in that way.”

From the field to the dugout, there were several fresh faces throughout the first half of the 2025 season for the Chicago White Sox — including Venable.

Even away from the field, the biggest story surrounding the organization came in the form of the long-term investment agreement announced in June that establishes a framework for Justin Ishbia to obtain a future controlling interest in the club.

On the field, the Sox look to be in position to avoid repeating history following last year’s record-setting 121-loss season. The Colorado Rockies (22-74) are on pace to shatter that mark. But the Sox still sit last in the American League Central with a 32-65 record. There have been a lot of close losses along the way. The Sox are 8-22 in one-run games and 4-14 in contests decided by two runs.

The games resume Friday as the Sox begin a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park. Here are three questions as action picks back up after the All-Star break.

1. Who will be dealt by the trade deadline?

Luis Robert Jr. has been in a season-long funk. But the center fielder is still one of the names to watch as the July 31 trade deadline approaches.

Robert, who turns 28 on Aug. 3, is slashing .190/.275/.325 with nine home runs and 35 RBIs in 79 games. His contract includes $20 million club options in 2026 and 2027, with $2 million buyouts for both seasons.

If Robert gets going in the right direction, he could provide a spark for a club during the stretch run. But he’s just 8-for-46 (.174) in his last 16 games.

Robert could be part of an active trade deadline for the Sox.

White Sox starting pitcher Adrian Houser throws against the Giants in the fifth inning at Rate Field on June 28, 2025, in Chicago. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox starter Adrian Houser delivers against the Giants on June 28, 2025, at Rate Field. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Starter Adrian Houser also has been mentioned in trade speculation. The right-hander has been phenomenal since signing a one-year deal with the Sox on May 20, going 5-2 with a 1.56 ERA in nine starts.

Houser allowed one earned run over 22 innings in his last three starts. He is scheduled to start Saturday. How many more he has with the club is an intriguing question.

2. What will the workload look like for the young starting pitchers?

White Sox pitcher Shane Smith signs autographs before the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP)
White Sox pitcher Shane Smith signs autographs before the All-Star Home Run Derby on July 14, 2025, in Atlanta. (Brynn Anderson/AP)

Rookie Shane Smith represented the Sox at the All-Star Game. He became the seventh Sox rookie — and first rookie pitcher — to earn an All-Star nod.

The right-hander made his final start before the All-Star break on July 11, allowing two runs while striking out five in three innings during Game 1 of a doubleheader against the Cleveland Guardians.

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Smith and Venable said the short start was by design.

“They make that decision for my benefit,” Smith said after the outing.

Smith has pitched 86 2/3 innings this season, and the Sox have his workload in mind.

“We have to find ways to be creative, we have to find ways to do the right thing,” Venable said on July 11. “Without getting too far down the road, we’ll explore all the options to make sure we’re putting the right calculus into the decision on how to go about protecting him.”

Young starters Sean Burke, Jonathan Cannon and Davis Martin are facing similar circumstances. It’s one of the reasons the Sox acquired Aaron Civale from the Milwaukee Brewers, adding a veteran with the ability to accumulate innings.

The Sox will have to do more maneuvering as the season carries on.

3. What’s the next step in the progression for the newcomers?

Smith was one of 11 Sox players who made their major-league debut during the first half.

Only the Athletics (12) entered the final day before the All-Star break with more debuts this season.

The list of Sox players also includes catchers Kyle Teel and Edgar Quero.

“I have to keep my head down, and keep grinding every day and focus on the process,” Teel said on July 12 at Rate Field.

Chicago White Sox pitcher Grant Taylor (31) gets high-fives in the ninth inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Rate Field on Sunday, July 13, 2025. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)
White Sox reliever Grant Taylor gets high-fives in the dugout during the ninth inning against the Guardians on July 13, 2025, at Rate Field. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Right-hander Grant Taylor has been electric in relief work, displaying a 100-mph fastball. The recent double-play combination has featured Chase Meidroth at second base and Colson Montgomery at shortstop.

Meidroth, called up from Triple A on April 11, is third on the team with 63 hits and second with 32 walks. Montgomery, the team’s first-round pick in 2021, is 7-for-28 (.250) since being called up on July 4.

The opportunities will continue for those players. Their progression will be worth monitoring.

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