Earlier this offseason, we took a look at the types of pitchers the A's have added to serve as the club's closer over the past two decades, and there have been stretches of time, including with Mason Miller, that they have gone with a fairly inexperienced option, but one that provided upside.

After locking up Tyler Soderstrom long-term, the Athletics have interest in signing more of their core players to contract extensions, reports The Athletic. First baseman Nick Kurtz and shortstop Jacob Wilson finished 1-2 in the AL Rookie of the Year voting this past season and are obvious extension candidates. Catcher Shea Langeliers as well.

1911 Future general manager of the White Sox, Hank Greenberg, was born in New York City.

The White Sox have become the favorites to sign Tatsuya Imai overnight, according to report published in his native country.

After signing slugger Munetaka Murakami, the White Sox could make another splash by bringing Tatsuya Imai to Chicago.

That brings us to what follows, and what follows is our helpful guide to hope for the hopeless. We'll run down, in ascending order of the 2025 standings, each losing team from a season ago -- 13 in all -- and provide one or more reasons why 2026 may be viewed at the outset as the province of better days.

Montgomery is a young rising star, and the White Sox are expecting big things from him in 2026. How big? Well, MLB.com beat writer Scott Merkin has predicted that Montgomery will have a 40-home run season in the upcoming campaign.

See why the New York Mets should trade for Luis Robert Jr. to replace lost power, protect Juan Soto, and reshape the club's lineup in 2026.