Despite a collection of top-end talent that would make plenty of teams envious, the Chicago White Sox have been on a more or less downwards trajectory for almost two seasons now. A disappointing second half of 2021 led to a quick playoff exit at the hands of the Astros, and was followed by an underwhelming offseason that gave way to a belly flop of a 2022 campaign that saw them finish an even 81-81 despite entering the season as clear favorites in the AL Central.
Now, despite another lukewarm offseason, the Sox have shed the husk formerly known as Tony La Russa, and hope that new manager Pedro Grifol can help lift the funk that seemingly clung to the locker room all of last season.