South Side Sox readers were asked a tough one this week: if the White Sox had to deal away one player from the rookie group, who would you be most willing to part with?
At The Feed, where the voting now lives, more than a few commenters leaned toward a simple answer: “no one.” Some pointed to the idea that Chicago still isn’t quite at a World Series window yet, while others argued it’s still too early to give up on any blue-ribbon piece of the core. But since “none of the above” wasn’t on the ballot, the poll still produced a result for the 2026 rookies in a trade that would help the White Sox now and/or later.
No surprise, the name at the top is Noah Schultz. Based strictly on 2026 results, he’s the obvious choice. That said, any real trade conversation would come with plenty of moving parts, especially Schultz’s age and the nagging knee injury that has to be part of the discussion.
The national questions took a different turn and opened with Hall of Fame talk involving a familiar White Sox villain. Justin Verlander’s case is clear enough: even if the personal feelings run cold - “Personally, it seems like Grandpa Verlander is a jerk, and maybe even worse words given his pointed and ridiculous criticism of Tim Anderson years back. But that doesn’t ignore the reality of his greatness, which absolutely merits enshrinement.” - the résumé still points straight to Cooperstown.
From there, the conversation shifted to the larger issue of pitcher wins and what they even mean anymore. Verlander sits as the closest active pitcher to 300 wins, but he is almost certainly going to fall short of that number.
In a game that no longer asks starters to work the way they once did - back when pitchers were expected to take the ball every fourth day and grind through nine innings - the old milestones feel increasingly out of step. The question now is what replaces them: 250 wins, 200, WAR, or some ERA-and-innings formula for starters.
The answer, for now, is left to the generations ahead.
In Other News...
White Sox May Finally Get Something Back From The Dylan Cease Trade
Drew Thorpes path back has been a long one, and for the White Sox, even the possibility of seeing him on a mound again matters. The right-hander has spent the better part of two years working back from elbow surgery and then Tommy John surgery, with his latest rehab work finally putting him back in game action as he tries to rebuild the innings and sharpness needed for a real return.
The next step is a gradual climb, with Thorpe expected to keep stretching out from short outings as the season goes on and potentially put himself in position to help before the year is over. For a White Sox club that can use every bit of pitching depth it can find, his return would at least offer another arm to lean on, whether in the bullpen or as emergency rotation cover, and maybe a clearer look at what comes next once he is fully healthy. [Read more 🡒]
White Sox Prospect William Bergolla Jr. Hit With Another Brutal Setback
William Bergolla Jr. had barely gotten his rehab assignment underway when another setback hit, this time in his first game with the ACL White Sox. The infielder was hurt while fielding, and the timing is especially frustrating for a player the organization was trying to get back on track after a lost stretch.
The White Sox now have to reset expectations again, with Bergolla not expected to be an Arizona Fall League option. They are also hoping his recovery does not mirror Alexander Albertus similar stress-fracture situation, which eventually led to surgery, leaving Bergollas next steps very much in the hands of how his body responds from here. [Read more 🡒]