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White Sox fans might find themselves rooting for a familiar face in this year's World Series. Andrew Vaughn, whom the White Sox traded to the Milwaukee Brewers last season, is now heading to the Fall Classic. This marks the Brewers' first World Series appearance in 44 years—a drought nearly as long as the White Sox's own 46-year gap between their 1959 and 2005 berths.
Since joining Milwaukee, Vaughn has been a different player, posting a slash line of .306/.384/.466. Although his power numbers and run production haven't matched his time in Chicago, his ability to get on base has been a welcome addition for the Brewers. In Chicago, Vaughn was often associated with the three true outcomes—home runs, strikeouts, and walks—but didn't offer much else. He struck out at least 100 times in three of his four full seasons and had a career slash line of .248/.303/.407 at the time of the trade.
In 2025, Vaughn's performance with the White Sox plummeted to a .189/.218/.314 slash line, and he finished the season with the worst bWAR on the team at -1.8, despite ending the year with the Brewers. In contrast, his bWAR of 1.3 with Milwaukee that season ranked eighth on the team.
All signs point to one conclusion: Vaughn was not going to find his stride with the White Sox, and a change of scenery was essential for him to revive his career. Moreover, the White Sox were in the midst of rebuilding into a competent organization when Vaughn was traded, while the Brewers have demonstrated sustained success for years. It also didn't help that most of Vaughn's tenure in Chicago occurred before Chris Getz was named general manager.
In other words, don't feel like Vaughn was a great hitter the White Sox let get away. He was far from it at the time of the trade, though he has since shown that the talent was always there. The White Sox simply couldn't unlock it the way the Brewers have.
So, it's perfectly fine to root for Vaughn to earn a World Series ring. He deserves it for the journey he's been on since reaching the majors, and both he and the White Sox are in far better places now. While it might be bittersweet to see him celebrate with champagne this season, he would have earned it—just as the White Sox earned a playoff berth. Those are the moments worth celebrating.
Key Analysis
Vaughn's transformation with the Brewers highlights how a fresh start can rejuvenate a player's career. The White Sox, under new management, have moved on with Munetaka Murakami at first base, while Vaughn has found a role that suits him in Milwaukee. This World Series appearance is a testament to his resilience and the Brewers' ability to maximize talent.