Getz believes White Sox are 'better positioned for success'
This browser does not support the video element.
GLENDALE, Ariz. -- White Sox general manager Chris Getz spoke at length about the positive possibilities for his team and its individual players as part of his 35-minute Zoom on Monday.
But let¡¯s deal more in what we know with pitchers and catchers officially reporting to Camelback Ranch on Wednesday. The 2024 White Sox are not projected to be a very good team, with PECOTA, as one example, having them at 65.5 victories following a 61-101 campaign in ¡®23.
• Get details on White Sox Spring Training
Then again, this is a work in progress.
It was Getz who said he didn¡¯t like the team back at the General Managers Meetings in Phoenix during November¡¯s outset, and it was Getz who set out to make changes. On paper, it¡¯s a group that is significantly improved defensively. It¡¯s a team set to play faster, with more dynamic talent and a better overall fit.
This browser does not support the video element.
¡°I definitely feel like we've improved the roster,¡± said Getz, who was arriving in Arizona on Monday. ¡°I know that comment about not liking this team, that was certainly something that was deeper in regards to the players playing together as a team. I anticipate this group blending in together, working together toward what it takes to be successful as a Major League club.
¡°Do I think we are, as an organization, where we need to be, to be a championship caliber club? We're not there yet. We do have a lot of players that have a lot to prove to themselves. ¡ They know that they have to come together for us to be successful.¡±
• Predicting the White Sox Opening Day roster
Getz went on to discuss the plethora of White Sox players with something to prove, whether it¡¯s injury-related, due to underperformance or a little bit of both. If a large number of those players return to form, it could be an interesting crew during manager Pedro Grifol¡¯s second year at the helm.
This browser does not support the video element.
To Getz¡¯s credit, he simply didn¡¯t hope for a reset from some of the same players after last year¡¯s disappointing season. It¡¯s the proactive start of a bigger plan.
¡°Yeah, it¡¯s building, right?¡± White Sox assistant general manager Josh Barfield told MLB.com in a recent interview. ¡°It¡¯s laying the foundation of what we want to do and continue to build. I think we are going to be better.
¡°We are going to play a better brand of baseball next year, and those equate to wins. How many? We¡¯ll see, but we are heading in the right direction. We want all these moves to continue to build not just to 2024, but the future, and I think so far that¡¯s what we are doing.¡±
This browser does not support the video element.
The need for a defensive overhaul was reinforced when Getz began having offseason talks with free-agent hurlers and agents of pitchers who were hesitant to come to the White Sox because of the poor support with the gloves. He has strengthened the team up the middle in front of Gold Glove-caliber center fielder Luis Robert Jr., via the additions of Martin Maldonado and Max Stassi behind the plate, Paul DeJong at shortstop and Nicky Lopez at second base.
At the very least, they should be able to catch the baseball consistently and direct traffic in the middle of the diamond.
¡°Now, I feel like we've got a solid foundation,¡± Getz said. ¡°We're better positioned for success and look forward to getting things rolling here shortly.¡±
¡°There¡¯s a lot of optimism going into this season,¡± Barfield said. ¡°I wasn¡¯t here last year, but it just feels different. That¡¯s what a lot of people are saying who were here the last couple of years.¡±
This browser does not support the video element.
Barfield joined the White Sox last season from the eventual National League champion Diamondbacks. He was intrigued by the possibility of working with Getz, and gives the new general manager credit for re-energizing the organization and presenting a clear plan of how he sees this going.
Building a better brand of baseball and a more cohesive unit was the first step, and the development continues Wednesday.
¡°Our goal is to go beyond the projections,¡± said Getz, acknowledging many teams have that same goal at this time of year. ¡°It takes a team to come together. We've got individuals that I think are selfless players, still have something to prove to themselves. We certainly don't want to play games in which we beat ourselves.
¡°These guys are very capable players. If they play to their potential, they can beat anyone on any given night.¡±