It’s still uncertain as 2023 draws to an end what the White Sox, led by first-year general manager Chris Getz, will look like in 2024.
In the soft American League Central, oddsmakers see something worse than the Twins, Guardians, Tigers, and Royals. The Sox are the favorites to finish last according to BetOnline, who has them at barely 20-1 to win the division.
Consider that to be its own worth.
About seven weeks remain before pitchers and catchers report to Glendale, Arizona for spring training, and Getz is still assembling a roster that may not include Dylan Cease, the team’s ace right-hander and a prized trade chip for a general manager trying to fix a broken organization from the farm system
Getz needs to finish his work before Glendale. Under the previous front-office leadership, the Sox were believed to have won the offseason multiple times, but they fell short when games counted. Their chances of winning the division are roughly comparable to their chances of winning this offseason, but Getz has impressed so far with his table-setting maneuvers:
• On November 16, the Braves acquired right-hander Riley Gowens, left-hander Michael Soroka, right-hander Jared Shuster, and middle infielders Nicky Lopez and Braden Shewmake in exchange for left-hand reliever Aaron Bummer.
• Nov. 28: Signed shortstop free agent DeJong, Paul.
• December 6: Shane Drohan, a left-hander, was chosen for the Rule 5 draft.
• December 9: Traded Braves catcher Max Stassi for cash and a player to be
The Braves gave up five guys in exchange for Bummer because they saw so much potential and worth in him. Although none were a sought-after trading target, they do have certain uses. Lopez adds defensive strength to the middle infield, and Soroka and Shuster are potential rotation options. Each of the three is a former major leaguer.
Even though DeJong’s offensive output has declined, the Sox only paid $1.75 million for him, which was a minor price to pay for improved defense and shrewd shortstop play.
Additionally, Stassi improves at a premium position and gives Korey Lee the necessary support. The Sox are only covering the $760,000 major-league minimum of his $7 million salary for 2024; if he performs well, he will be eligible to receive a $7.5 million club option in 2025. He was not active in 2023.
The magnitude of the upcoming changes is unknown because chairman Jerry Reinsdorf is reducing salary. The Sox are in need of a right fielder, and they might be willing to trade outfielder and designated hitter Eloy Jimenez in an effort to become more athletic on the field and in the basepaths.
It was never really clear how previous Sox execs Ken Williams and Rick Hahn made player-acquisition decisions, even while they flaunted their 1-2 combo muscle at the top of the decision-making hierarchy (behind Reinsdorf). The outlook is considerably clearer now that Getz has been given the authority to be the only top decision-maker. What waited for him once he departed the winter meetings earlier this month was uncertain.
“We don’t feel like we’re pounding on doors,”
It was never really clear how previous Sox execs Ken Williams and Rick Hahn made player-acquisition decisions, even while they flaunted their 1-2 combo muscle at the top of the decision-making hierarchy (behind Reinsdorf). The outlook is considerably clearer now that Getz has been given the authority to be the only top decision-maker. What waited for him once he departed the winter meetings earlier this month was uncertain.
Getz refuted the notion that they feel as though they are at someone’s door. “But it’s more about gaining a clearer understanding of our situation, whether it is via trading or adding a player through free agency. We are really well organized, I will say. We’ve done a great job of laying out a plan during the offseason and are pleased with where we’re at.
It may take Blake Snell to sign before the market for Cease heats up, as free-agent pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto signed with the Dodgers on Thursday. The likelihood is that Cease and his two years of contract control are dealt (he’ll make between $8 million and $9 million in 2024). Getz hopes to trade the 27-year-old strikeout artist and runner-up in the 2022 AL Cy Young Award for depth where it is most needed, which is in the big leagues and the farm system that he controlled for the previous four years.
It’s clear that winning next season isn’t part of any strategy with Cease on the market. The Sox declined 2019 batting prospects even though they stated they wanted to be more athletic and put more pressure on the basepaths.