White Sox surge has fans buzzing: a 9-2 run in the last 11 and a 50-game patchwork of 25-25 with a +22 run differential highlights a fun, young core led by Colson Montgomery, Kyle Teal, and Shane Smith. Venable’s steadying presence, plus a budget-minded plan to add a veteran bat or starter and bullpen depth, sets the stage for a meaningful 2025-26 arc. Front-office chatter ties Josh Barfield to a Baltimore interest, signaling wider league intrigue around Chicago’s rebuild.