This story was excerpted from Scott Merkin's White Sox Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
CHICAGO – It all began with Will Venable.
Actually, the present White Sox turnaround started with general manager Chris Getz, who set out to rebuild from the organization’s foundation even when realizing the foundation needed more work than first imagined. But when Venable joined as the team’s manager prior to the 2025 season, Getz had the perfect co-pilot in this process and beyond, and the White Sox had their quintessential dugout leader.
Venable’s work has been recognized by those within the organization and outside the White Sox, but soon, official acknowledgement could come for his managerial excellence. The final three candidates for the BBWAA’s American League Manager of the Year Award will be announced Monday beginning at 5 p.m. CT on MLB Network, along with the final three in other BBWAA award categories. Venable figures to be one of those three managers.
The Sporting News has already named Venable as its AL Manager of the Year, based on peer voting.
Yes, the White Sox lost 102 during Venable’s first year at the helm, although there was a decidedly improved 28-37 mark following the All-Star break. But Venable’s South Siders took a major leap forward in 2026, winning 84 games, earning the AL’s sixth seed as the third Wild Card and playing to a fifth game of the AL Division Series before being eliminated by the Guardians.
A culture was set for this team by Venable in 2025. The White Sox players ran with that concept of playing hard for 27 outs every day, playing for each other as much as with each other, and they developed a winning identity.
“When it comes to Will Venable, so many people are going to want him to succeed. How he treats people,” Getz said. “Could be anyone in the building. And I just knew that he was going to be able to get a team, an organization, to pull toward something special.”
“All I know is that I’ve been very confident this group could make progress,” Venable said. “Truthfully, I didn’t know how to measure that in wins and losses. All I can say is that I am not surprised in the progress of the organization. That’s something I had confidence in from the beginning.”
Other White Sox players will earn postseason plaudits, which stands to reason following a breakout 2026 campaign. Rawlings Gold Glove Awards will be announced on Sunday, with Chase Meidroth serving as the lone White Sox finalist at second base.
While Venable figures to be the best chance for a BBWAA winner, Munetaka Murakami, Sam Antonacci and Tristan Peters have onfield credentials to be part of that final three for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.
Miguel Vargas emerged as one of the game’s most complete players with 33 home runs, 31 doubles, 93 RBIs, 22 stolen bases and 106 runs scored, which ranked second in the AL. He should receive some down-ballot MVP support, as could Murakami, who finished with 35 home runs and really changed the franchise. Louisville Silver Slugger Award finalists will be announced Monday afternoon, with Vargas again standing out as a prime candidate.
Six White Sox players were on the All-MLB ballot, featuring Vargas at third base, Murakami at first, Meidroth at second, Peters in the outfield, Colson Montgomery and his 31 homers at shortstop and Grant Taylor among relievers. First- and second-team All-MLB winners will be announced Wednesday in Las Vegas within the MLB Awards show on MLB Network, along with Executive of the Year, an award for which Getz will receive strong consideration.
Prior to the start of the 2026 playoffs, Getz spoke of a conversation with Venable in which his manager couldn’t wait to take the White Sox into the postseason. That feeling of excitement for Venable only will be heightened going into ’27.
“To get rewarded in his second year with us is a testament to what he brings to the table and leading this player group,” said Getz of Venable. “But we’ve never talked about championships.
“It’s just about putting ourselves in the best position we can to win a particular night, and when we need to solve for the next day, we’ll solve for the next day. We are going to continue to have that approach.”