Pope Leo XIV fires a quick jab at Cubs fans as Chicago baseball threads a banner year of irony and upheaval. While the Cubs bowed out in the NLDS to the Brewers, the pope’s allegiance to the White Sox—worn hats and a Konerko jersey moment—stands out against a season defined by three straight 100-loss finishes for the Sox. The piece also bundles the latest Sox news: coaching staff shake-ups, depth-chart changes, and a roster retooling that keeps the franchise in flux.

Beyond the Vatican quip, the White Sox saga unfolds with Sandy Alomar Sr.’s passing, Will Robertson landing with the Pirates, four Sox players sent to Triple-A Charlotte, and Andrew Vaughn’s playoff surge with Milwaukee. It’s a season bookended by humor and upheaval, framing a rebuild that blends nostalgia with forward-looking moves.

Max Fried headlines the AL Gold Glove finalists after leading MLB pitchers with 10 defensive runs saved and 39 assists in his first season with the Yankees, edging Jacob deGrom and Luis Severino for the trio. In the NL, Ryan McMahon anchors the infield after joining the Yankees midseason, with Ke’Bryan Hayes and Matt Shaw also in the mix at third. Catcher Luis Torrens heads the Mets’ catching group alongside Patrick Bailey and Carson Kelly, while David Peterson joins Torrens as a Mets finalist on the mound with Logan Webb and Matthew Boyd. The Yankees last Gold Glove winner was Volpe in 2023, and the Mets’ last was Lagares in 2014.

Bold 2025 fantasy bets paid off unevenly: Boyd delivered 31 starts, 14 wins and a 3.21 ERA, but the post-season wear raised durability concerns for 2026. Lodolo’s ERA/WHIP improved while strikeouts dipped. Noah Cameron flashed as a rookie value. Emmanuel Clase and Calvin Faucher hit value in volatile bullpens, while a host of bets missed, underscoring the perils of workload and aging in bold predictions for next season.

The Twins plan to interview James Rowson, Yankees hitting coach, for a return to Minnesota where he coached 2017–2019. Baltimore also interviewed Luis Rojas for their managerial vacancy after Brandon Hyde was fired, while the Yankees reshuffle staff with Jake Hirst promoted and other assistants shifting roles.

Derek Shelton and Ramón Vázquez are floated as Twins and Orioles managerial contenders, with Cubs bench coach Ryan Flaherty and interim Tony Mansolino also in the mix. Don Mattingly links to the Marlins surface, and chatter around Kyle Tucker or Cody Bellinger keeps the rumor mill alive as Hal Steinbrenner weighs Boone and Cashman futures.