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Luis Robert Jr. Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports

Already buried in AL Central, disappointing White Sox have gloomy outlook

By Josh Keslinger | Last updated 5/2/23

In 2021, the Chicago White Sox had a promising future with a Hall of Fame manager in Tony La Russa and a talented, young core that included pitcher Dylan Cease, shortstop Tim Anderson, outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and infielder Yoan Moncada. Chicago won 93 games that season and an AL Central title before losing to the Houston Astros in the AL Division Series.

Two years later, however, things look gloomy for the White Sox (8-21), who are fourth in the division and already nine games behind the first-place Twins.

Injuries plague the team. Anderson and Moncada have missed significant time. Pitcher Reynaldo Lopez, outfielder/DH Eloy Jimenez and outfielder Andrew Benintendi are also banged up, and the White Sox are without star closer Liam Hendriks, who is battling non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Chicago's offense, meanwhile, is listless, ranking 22nd in the majors in batting (.235) and 21st in home runs (28).

The White Sox's stars aren't playing like stars either. Robert Jr. is slashing .213/.254/.407 and recently got benched for not hustling on a ground ball out.

Pedro Grifol said he benched Luis Robert Jr. for a “mental lapse,” calling Robert a hard-worker.

Robert, though, explained he had a sore hamstring from last night and was purposefully playing conservatively. He said he never informed Grifol or coaches, only telling teammates.
— Vinnie Duber (@VinnieDuber) April 30, 2023

Benintendi, who signed a five-year, $75 million contract in the offseason, hasn't provided much of an offensive spark either. His slash line is .281/.337/.333.

Of course, the loss of longtime first baseman Jose Abreu in the offseason didn't help. Abreu, who signed a three-year contract with the Astros, was a longtime staple in the White Sox lineup.

Aside from AL Cy Young runner-up Cease, the pitching has lagged, too. Chicago ranks 29th in the majors with a 5.96 ERA.

Chicago seemingly hit rock bottom Saturday when it had a no-hitter in the seventh inning before giving up 10 runs in a 12-3 loss to the Rays. The loss extended the team's losing streak to 10.

The Chicago #Whitesox had a 3-0 lead and a no-hitter entering the 7th inning.

They lost their 10th straight game, 12-3.

They are 7-21.

Is it still Tony La Russa’s fault?
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) April 30, 2023

What's next for a team that was supposed to be a playoff contender? This mess can't be pinned on La Russa, who retired in October, or new manager Pedro Grifol, as a lot of the team's issues can be traced to roster construction.

The onus certainly is on the owner, Jerry Reinsdorf, who shed more than $20 million in payroll despite his team missing the playoffs last season. It's on GM Rick Hahn, too, and he knows it.

"I think … my job is potentially on the line," he said recently, per Forbes.

The White Sox play in what may be MLB's weakest division, and there's still plenty of baseball left. However, Chicago has deeply rooted issues, and the promising days of 2021 seem far in the rearview mirror.

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