What are the Chicago White Sox’s plans going into 2024?
They might have a point if they envision it as the Oakland A’s of American League Central.
One would assume that the only direction for a team that finished the season with 101 losses would be up, and since baseball is an odd game, things might turn out that way. Even so, the White Sox’s early predictions do not appear to be moving in that direction under new general manager Chris Getz.
According to the Chicago Sun Times, Getz summarized how things have been going since the end of the 2023 fiasco as follows:
“We don’t feel as though we’re at someone’s door, in my opinion. However, it’s more about gaining a clearer understanding of our situation, whether it involves trading or signing a player through free agency. We are really well organized, I will say. We’re pleased with where we’re at thus far, having done a great job this offseason of laying out a plan. Our goal is to maintain the momentum.”
Getz continued, “I’ve said it before, we’re fortunate to be in the AL Central.”
That final remark is both devastating and truthful at the same time.
What does it say about a team that consistently finishes outside of the top teams in baseball’s weakest division? Why do clubs from smaller markets, like the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Guardians, seem to be in a constant competition for the division title? What is it about player development and acquisition that each of those clubs does that the White Sox just can’t seem to get?
It is debatable what precisely the “momentum” they are catching. As of right now, there are no reports of the team signing any notable free agents or making any moves that would please the fan base and improve the team’s future.
That being said, Getz hasn’t done anything this summer. He has been moving, but it’s important to remember that activity does not equal production.
This squad, which currently only has Dylan Cease and Michael Kopech as its key returning starters from the previous season’s rotation, knows that pitching is a priority. Getz has added to his roster of pitchers, but none of them truly stick out as being able to instill fear in the minds of opposing hitters.
Getz deserves some credit for his defensive adjustments, particularly putting in players like second baseman Nicky Lopez and shortstop Paul DeJong to the center of the infield. Getz also negotiated deals for catchers Martin Maldonado and Max Stassi, who will tutor Korey Lee behind the plate and work with a youthful pitching staff.
The phrases “rebuild” and “retool” have been used interchangeably to characterize Getz’s roster changes. The White Sox have not rebuilt; to claim one would be to knock everything down and start over. Retooling refers to making adjustments to fit the current direction of the game, which is what the White Sox may be attempting to do.
Whatever term is preferred, it is a fact that the squad is not among the contenders for a wild card or a division title. The White Sox are projected by Fangraphs to have a winning percentage of.416 for the next season, which is just.416 ahead of the Colorado Rockies, who are ranked 30th at.380.
Using measurements accumulated from different data points of the players currently on the squad, projections are a well-informed guessing game. The White Sox, who haven’t demonstrated in the last two years that they are making progress toward becoming the team they were in 2021 when they won the division and 93 games, may find that this theory is valid despite the fact that it is not a perfect science.
While they watch the free agent market and free agent price points, several teams have not made many roster changes. Aside from the Los Angeles Dodgers’ deals with Shohei Ohtani and Yoshinobu Yamamoto, players like Blake Snell, Aaron Nola, Cody Bellinger, and Matt Chapman are still available.
Although it is unlikely that the White Sox will pursue a player of that caliber, it would be good to see them occasionally considered for a player of that kind.
“We want to win and we are not going to put a timetable on it,” said White Sox director of player personnel Gene Watson while describing the team’s future strategy at the end of the 2023 campaign.
It might just take some time for the White Sox to win, based on what they have and have not done thus far.