In 2021, the Chicago White Sox won the AL Central Division with a 93–69 record, but their season ended in the ALDS. Since then, the franchise has steadily declined. They finished second in 2022 with an 81–81 record, followed by a disastrous stretch from 2023 through 2025 in which they lost a combined 323 games. The low point came in 2024, when the White Sox lost 121 games, setting the modern-day MLB record and surpassing the infamous 1962 New York Mets, who lost 120 games in their inaugural season.
Now, looking ahead to the 2026 season, the White Sox appear to be making moves that are turning heads once again.
In December, Chicago signed international free agent Munetaka Murakami out of Japan to a two-year contract. Over eight seasons in Japan, Murakami compiled 170 doubles, 265 home runs, 722 RBIs, and 678 walks, while posting a .273 batting average, .550 slugging percentage, and .945 OPS. The 25-year-old Kumamoto, Japan native had his best season in 2022, when he crushed 56 home runs and drove in 134 runs at just 22 years old. A corner infielder capable of playing both first and third base, Murakami represents a massive upgrade over what the White Sox received from those positions in recent seasons.
That same month, Chicago also signed left-handed journeyman Sean Newcomb to a one-year deal. Pitching for both the Boston Red Sox and Oakland Athletics last season, Newcomb posted a 2.73 ERA across 48 appearances (five starts), striking out 91 batters in 92.1 innings.
With the new year came another notable move. On Tuesday, the White Sox agreed to trade center fielder Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets in exchange for Luisangel Acuña and right-handed pitcher Truman Pauley. The centerpiece of the deal is Acuña, the younger brother of Ronald Acuña Jr. At just 24 years old, he has the potential to develop into an explosive everyday player.
Acuña made his MLB debut with the Mets in 2024, hitting .308 (12-for-39) with two doubles, a triple, and three home runs across 14 games. While he was less productive in 2025, his speed and defensive versatility allowed the Mets to deploy him strategically as a pinch-runner and late-inning defender in the infield, but mostly at second base. He stole 16 bases in 17 attempts last season.
The White Sox received solid production at second base from Lenyn Sosa in 2025, as he enjoyed a breakout campaign with 20 doubles, 22 home runs, and 75 RBIs while hitting .264 in 140 games. The Puerto Ordaz, Venezuela native should benefit from Acuña’s arrival, as Acuña’s versatility—he can play second base, both left-side infield positions, and even the outfield—adds much-needed flexibility to the roster.
As for Pauley, he remains a developmental piece. The right-hander posted a 2.08 ERA across three appearances in Low-A ball in 2025.
Despite recent struggles, there are legitimate bright spots on the White Sox roster. Sosa anchors the infield, while second-year shortstop Colson Montgomery showed serious power by hitting 21 home runs in just 71 games last summer. Brooks Baldwin broke out in 2025 with 11 home runs in his second MLB season, and veteran Andrew Benintendi has delivered steady production, posting back-to-back 20-home-run seasons since joining the team in 2023.
White Sox ownership has recently made it clear that the organization intends to reinvest aggressively in areas of need, particularly after shedding Robert’s contract. If those promises hold true, there is reason to believe better days may finally be ahead for the White Sox and their fans.
