So, let's talk about the South Side. If you're checking in to see what place are the chicago white sox in, you're likely looking for a bit of hope or maybe just confirmation of what your gut is already telling you. As we sit here in January 2026, the dust has finally settled on one of the most taxing, yet weirdly optimistic, seasons in recent memory.
Technically, the White Sox are in fifth place in the American League Central. They finished the 2025 season with a 60-102 record. Now, I know what you’re thinking. Over a hundred losses? Again? But if you’re a die-hard Sox fan, you know that "60" is actually a number of significant progress. After the absolute train wreck of 2024, where the team set a modern-era record with 121 losses, winning 60 games in 2025 felt like climbing a mountain.
They are currently at the bottom of the division, looking up at the Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers. But the vibe at 35th and Shields is shifting.
Digging into the Standings: Where the White Sox Rank Right Now
When you look at what place are the chicago white sox in within the broader context of the American League, they finished with the second-worst record in the AL, narrowly avoiding the "basement" of the entire league thanks to a slightly worse performance by the Colorado Rockies over in the NL.
The AL Central final standings for the 2025 season looked like this:
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- Cleveland Guardians (88-74)
- Detroit Tigers (87-75)
- Kansas City Royals (82-80)
- Minnesota Twins (70-92)
- Chicago White Sox (60-102)
Honestly, being 28 games out of first place is a tough pill to swallow. But context is everything in baseball. The 2025 season was never about winning the World Series; it was about stopping the bleeding. Under first-year manager Will Venable, the team managed a 19-game improvement over the previous year. That’s not nothing. It’s the kind of incremental gain that tells you the "rebuilding" label might actually mean something this time around.
The Will Venable Effect and the 2026 Outlook
Will Venable is returning for his second season in 2026, and he's bringing a revamped coaching staff with him. We’re talking about guys like Zach Bove taking over as pitching coach and Derek Shomon stepping in to fix the bats. The front office, led by Chris Getz, hasn't been sitting on its hands this winter either.
The biggest splash? Signing Japanese superstar Munetaka Murakami to a two-year deal. If you haven’t followed his career in Japan, the guy hit 56 home runs in a single season. He’s the kind of left-handed power threat this lineup has been desperate for.
Still, the betting markets aren't sold yet. Caesars Sportsbook recently set the White Sox over/under for 2026 at 65.5 wins. It’s a modest jump, but it shows that the national perspective still sees them as a team stuck in the mud.
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Why the "Place" Matters Less Than the "Pieces"
Being in fifth place is a status, but the "pieces" are what fans are actually watching.
- The Ace Problem: Davis Martin led the team with only 7 wins last year. That has to change.
- The Young Guns: We saw flashes from Shane Smith, who mowed down 145 batters.
- The Lottery Win: Perhaps the biggest news for the future isn't the 2025 record, but the fact that the White Sox won the 2026 MLB Draft lottery. They have the No. 1 overall pick, which likely means UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky is headed to Chicago.
Misconceptions About the South Side Slump
A lot of people think the White Sox are just "cheap" or "unlucky." The reality is more complex. The 2024 disaster was a perfect storm of aging veterans underperforming and a clubhouse culture that had gone stale. 2025 was about clearing the decks.
You’ve got guys like Lenyn Sosa hitting 22 homers and Luis Robert Jr. still being a threat on the basepaths (33 steals), but the depth just isn't there yet. When you ask what place are the chicago white sox in, you’re asking about a team that is halfway through a massive renovation. They’ve torn down the old drywall, and now they’re finally starting to frame the new rooms.
Real Talk: Is 2026 the Year?
Probably not. Not for a pennant, anyway. But it’s the year where "fifth place" needs to become "third place." With the Twins looking vulnerable and the Royals being hit-or-miss, there’s a vacuum in the middle of the AL Central.
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The addition of Murakami and a full year of a healthy Colson Montgomery could fundamentally change the math for this offense. They ranked 27th in runs scored last year. You can’t win games if you don’t cross the plate, basically.
If you are tracking the team this spring, keep an eye on the pitching staff. If Zach Bove can work the same magic he did in Kansas City, the Sox might actually surprise people and flirt with a .500 record.
Actionable Insights for Sox Fans
- Watch the 1-2 Punch: Keep an eye on the development of Noah Schultz and Hagen Smith in the minors; they are the "real" future of the rotation.
- Follow the Draft: The No. 1 pick is a franchise-altering moment. Read up on Roch Cholowsky now so you know what’s coming in June.
- Check the Vegas Lines: If that 65.5 win total starts creeping up toward 70 in March, it means the "smart money" likes the offseason moves more than the pundits do.
The White Sox might be in last place today, but for the first time in a long time, there’s a plan that doesn't feel like a pipe dream. It’s going to be a long summer, but at least there’s a light at the end of the Red Line.