The Chicago White Sox rebuild in 2024 is not going well. After losing 101 games last year, the White Sox have been even worse this year. They were easily the worst team in baseball in 2024 and are on their way to becoming one of the worst MLB teams of all time.
Obviously there is still a lot of rebuilding work to be done, but what can the White Sox do in the near future to start turning things around?
Steps to successfully rebuild the White Sox
Needless to say, there is a lot of work to be done. It could take several years for the White Sox to be ready to compete in the AL Central. But since the early part of the 2024 season was clearly rock bottom for the franchise, there's nowhere to go but up.
Let's take a look at some of the steps the White Sox need to take moving forward with their rebuilding project.
Keep trading veterans
The most obvious part of the White Sox's rebuild in 2024 is continuing to trade veteran players who can help Chicago restock its farm system. The White Sox started doing just that in mid-March when they traded Dylan Cease. Chicago will likely continue to sell cheap this summer with Michael Kopech and Mike Clevinger being the most likely candidates.
Meanwhile, other potential White Sox trades aren't so clear. For example, a deal for Luis Robert could be on the table. While he remains under team control through the 2027 season, Robert could be more valuable as a trade chip if he brings back several high-level prospects. Eloy Jimenez could also be a viable trade chip if he can turn his season around.
Obviously, trading players like Robert and Jimenez would hurt the White Sox more in the short term, but trading these players may be the best move in the long term.
Define the new kernel
A big part of Chicago's problems is that the franchise doesn't get its money from players like Jimenez and Andrew Benintendi, two of the team's highest-paid players. Meanwhile, Yoan Moncada, the team's highest-paid player in 2024, is on the IL for 60 days. To rebuild successfully, the White Sox need to avoid similar issues in the future.
This means doing a better job of identifying young players and potential senior players who will form the core of the team in the coming years. Given Chicago's record this season, not many of the current top clubs have proven to be part of the solution. However, the White Sox still need to closely monitor their farm system to find players who will be part of their future.
Project wisely
Other than trading for quality prospects, drafting is the best way to rebuild a franchise. Most of the team's first-round picks over the past decade either didn't make it or are no longer with the organization.
In fairness, starting pitcher Garrett Crochet and shortstop Andrew Vaughn could still be part of Chicago's future. There are also high hopes for Colson Montgomery, a first-round shortstop in 2021. But the White Sox need to make smart choices, with a particular focus on pitchers and outfielders, two areas where Chicago's farm system needs help.
Build mental toughness
As the White Sox attempt to rebuild, it is important to build mental toughness throughout the organization. Chicago's struggles in early 2024 can be attributed at least in part to mental errors and a lack of competitiveness.
These are the things the White Sox need to change from the bottom up. Young players joining the organization need to practice strong fundamentals as they work their way through Chicago's farm system. It doesn't matter how much talent the White Sox can muster during a rebuild, if they produce players who are mistake-prone and not mentally tough, they will never come out of this rebuild as championship contenders.
