GLENDALE, Arizona With the signing of right-handed reliever Bryan Shaw to a Minor League contract on Saturday, the White Sox camp now has a healthy seventy players.
Shaw is one of thirty players that are not on the roster invitees. However, team manager Pedro Grifol sees that sizable group as a representation of the entire Spring Training this year as well as the particular development of a team culture.
“Prepare yourself for competition. What it tells us is that, according to Grifol. “I’ve never been a part of one with seventy guys, but I’ve seen more than seventy in other teams’ camps.” It is merely a figure.
“Out there, we have six fields and one half field. We have plenty of cages and space for each person. Just as I mentioned, number 70 narrates the tale of this camp.
Shaw, 36, has made the third-most career appearances of any pitcher still in the game as of 2024. The right-hander wants to make 800 appearances, 1,000 appearances, and perhaps, if he pitches long enough, break Major League record holder Jesse Orosco’s 1,252 games. Shaw made appearances in 18 games in September (plus one on October 1) alone, pitching 19 2/3 innings with a 0.92 ERA in that span.
Chicago’s bullpen is competitive, with a decent mix of young arms and seasoned pitchers, but less than a week into camp, Grifol won’t even discuss roster composition.
“I’ll likely respond to that question in three or four weeks,” Grifol stated. “Right now, the roster is not even on our minds. We are considering a competitive environment. We’re considering folks that go out there and show us that they’re the kind of guys we want to come to Chicago.
“We have a few guys that are experienced and skilled at doing this. Then there are a few young men with some authority. This is a pretty fantastic problem to have because it involves a little bit of everything. Nobody is ever harmed by competition. Quite the contrary—it improves you. However, I’m not even close to considering creating a bullpen or roster at this time.
There are several players that are obvious locks to make the White Sox Opening Day roster, whether or not Grifol is considering it. The White Sox are searching for individuals that are interested in playing their brand of baseball in the Cactus League in this cutthroat environment.
“Quick: We wish to play quickly. And a lot of factors go into that word,” Grifol remarked. “They are aware of our recent discussions. They are aware of our preferences and the kind of music we choose to play.
“Our style of baseball is the foundation of competition. There will be no deviation from this. We want to play this way because this is who we are. And the competition includes that. Either you accept it or you don’t. The train is departing the station if you’re not. It’s possible that you are not on it and you probably won’t be.