General manager Chris Getz and manager Will Venable already have gotten the White Sox from Point A to Point B, a destination no one thought they’d reach so soon. Now they’ll have to get them to Point C without hurting their chances of reaching other points down the road.
Otherwise, this whole exercise could be pointless.
The Sox return from the All-Star break Friday against the Blue Jays, who have been the opposite of the Sox, falling to last place in the American League East after winning the division and reaching the World Series last season. The Sox have gone from worst to first in the Central, and staying there in the final 67 games will be even harder than it was getting there.
“There’s going to be unique situations hopefully, spots that these guys haven’t been in before with a good record, playing meaningful games down the stretch,” Venable said this week. “We’ll figure it out when we get there, but these guys have handled everything great to this point. [We’re] looking forward to whatever challenges lie ahead in the second half.”
Getz’s biggest challenge will be improving the team without sacrificing too much of what he has built since taking the helm Aug. 31, 2023. The Sox entered 2025 with the sixth-ranked farm system in the majors, according to MLB.com. After several promotions dropped it to 16th entering this season, Getz replenished the system with a highly touted draft class.
Fans will watch Getz work in a way they never have: from a position of strength and with a playoff spot in sight. But he’ll have to be realistic about his team’s chances in the postseason, even in a down year for the AL. Is making a splash before the trade deadline worth it, or is Getz better off waiting another season, after the farm system develops more talent to play or trade?
But next season might not even happen. Owners and players are already lined up for a possibly catastrophic labor war. Does that push Getz to strike while the iron is hot? Seasons like the one the Sox are having are precious, and failing to take full advantage might send a bad message to the clubhouse, which has had a utopian environment.
“We just keep trying to get better. That’s the focus for us,” Venable said. “We do have a lot of young guys. We have a lot of guys who are still learning every day. I’m learning every day. I think we’re all excited to do it together. That’s what it’s going to be about down the stretch.”
Indeed it will, and more than anything Getz does or doesn’t do, that inexperience could lead to the Sox’ undoing. As well as they’ve played, most of them haven’t encountered what they’re about to: a pennant race. Plays that were made in June can become harder to make in September, when the pressure turns up.
The Sox showed the potential to handle that this month, when they bounced back from two gut-punch, walk-off losses to split a four-game series with the Guardians, with whom they’re tied for first in the Central. They’ll need more of that mental fortitude not just to hold off the Guardians, but the Twins, who are only three games back.
And as Venable said, he’s learning, too. The Sox have a potentially lethal mix of inexperience on the field and in the dugout. Venable has stuck to his guns on leaning into hitters’ handedness in matchups and using his bullpen by committee. Both have largely worked, but using relievers in different roles and for multiple innings could leave the bullpen short when it’s needed most.
So much to learn, and so many points to reach.
On deck
SOX AT BLUE JAYS
Friday: Anthony Kay (6-4, 4.23 ERA) vs. Spencer Miles (4-1, 2.85), 6:15 p.m., Apple TV, 1000-AM.
Saturday: Davis Martin (9-4, 3.41) vs. Shane Bieber (0-1, 7.64), 2:07 p.m., CHSN, 1000-AM.
Sunday: Sean Burke (6-4, 3.41) vs. Trey Yesavage (4-4, 3.72), 11:15 a.m., NBCSN, Peacock, 1000-AM.