Chicago White Sox basic supervisor Chris Getz stared again at a couple of dozen reporters on a Zoom name Friday afternoon after informing them prime prospect Colson Montgomery doesn’t have to fret about making the crew out of spring coaching.
No one had any extra questions and nobody was stopping the Zoom.
Getz wasn’t certain precisely what to do.
“Are we at the point where we just do a staredown?” Getz requested reporters.
I used to be ready to take over as emergency moderator, however the White Sox media relations man acquired again on the display screen after his Wi-Fi returned, saving the day.
It’s been that sort of a 12 months for the White Sox, who by no means discovered a low level that couldn’t get even decrease.
The latest exodus by broadcaster Jason Benetti to the Detroit Tigers sales space was simply the newest blow, coming off a season so horrible Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf admitted he wouldn’t watch the video games on his DVR if the Sox misplaced. The crew misplaced 101 video games, so he missed a few of Benetti’s best moments.
Getz, the first-year basic supervisor who changed longtime Twitter piñata Rick Hahn, has been charged with the duty of fixing the narrative on the Sox after “BenExit.” He’s already confirmed to be adept on the dismantling half, sending left-handed reliever Aaron Bummer to the Atlanta Braves for 5 gamers, together with a potential alternative for shortstop Tim Anderson in Nicky Lopez.
Getz mentioned Friday the addition of Lopez, who can even play second base, received’t have any residual impact on Montgomery’s future.
Colson is a particular expertise, he’s,” Getz mentioned. “He’ll certainly let us know he’s ready.”
That suggests Colson hasn’t but instructed the Sox he’s prepared, or possibly he’s too shy.
Rest assured Montgomery is the face-of-the-franchise-in-waiting and Anderson’s exit left a roster spot for him. When Montgomery will get that probability was going to be a spring-training query that might’ve carried the information cycle throughout many Cactus League snoozers.
Sox supervisor Pedro Grifol went just a little overboard final September when he insisted everybody invited to spring coaching would get an opportunity to make the crew. This clearly included Montgomery, the crew’s solely “name” prospect. Getz was requested about him on the latest basic managers conferences.
“I don’t want to have the expectation for Colson to think he’s going to be our opening day shortstop,” Getz mentioned earlier this month. “But I don’t want to cap anything for him either because it’s important for him to stay motivated and be ready to go in spring training because he knows how 2024 unravels for him.”
On Friday, Getz fed the chance by raving about Montgomery’s “impressive” play within the Arizona Fall League.
“What he did in the box, the decisions he makes, the temperament, the (being) under control, the operation that he has, really stands out,” he mentioned. “And then defensively he was a stable defender at shortstop. So he was definitely was one of many gamers talked about, (and third baseman) Bryan Ramos was as properly.
“To have those guys on the left side of the infield there in Glendale was fun to watch, and (we) look forward to 2024. We do feel like both those guys are not only taking off, but ready to take off even further.”
So there was no discuss of Montgomery making the Sox out of camp?
“No, the guys haven’t even talked of that,” he mentioned.
So a lot for that story. Back to the Sox rebuild, already in progress.
“Project: Kansas City,” the unofficial title given Getz’s royal plan by social media smart guys, a minimum of has some legs. Lopez spent most of his profession with the Royals, the group Getz and Grifol have a not-so-secret crush for. Unlike Anderson, Lopez can catch and throw precisely every day, which implies he’s already an improve.
Getz efficiently shed Bummer’s $5.5 million wage and waved goodbye to a left-hander whose five-year, $16 million deal in February 2020 turned out to be a failed, long-term gamble by Hahn based mostly on early profession projections.
The Bummer deal additionally continued the emptying out of the 2023 bullpen that included Joe Kelly, Kendall Graveman, Reynaldo López, Keynan Middleton, Jake Diekman and two visitor appearances by infielder Hanser Alberto.
It won’t be remembered fondly.
Alberto’s 21.60 ERA was not even the worst on the crew. That honor went to precise reliever José Ruiz, who posted a 22.09 ERA in 4 outings. That’s so Sox.
After Liam Hendriks’ possibility was declined, Getz would possibly keep away from handing out these giant, multiyear offers to relievers, a Hahn trademark. Paying that sort of cash on the bullpen was all the time a dicey proposition for the Sox, who’ve had difficulties drafting, signing or buying relievers for many years.
Garrett Crochet’s well being is crucial in 2024 after lacking the 2022 season following left elbow reconstruction surgical procedure and coping with shoulder points for many of 2023. He’s able to be their Hendriks on the sector and within the clubhouse, however whether or not he’ll be a starter or reliever is anybody’s guess, assuming he’s wholesome.
“Coming into spring training, there is going to be an innings progression for him, and we’ll make a decision at some point whether we continue to extend those innings and build him up or if there’s a greater need in a different role for the White Sox,” Getz mentioned. “Obviously I want him to be a multi-inning pitcher — if that means that it’s going to work toward a starter, so be it.”
It’s going to be an attention-grabbing offseason for the Sox, and Getz has his fingers on the wheel with each eyes on the street.
Let the staredown start.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com