General supervisor Chris Getz gave a frank evaluation of the Chicago White Sox within the aftermath of a 101-loss season.
“We have a talented group, there is no question,” Getz mentioned Tuesday in the course of the MLB normal managers conferences at a resort in Paradise Valley, Ariz. “I don’t like our crew, and we’ve got to make some changes to enhance in 2024.
“When I say ‘I don’t like our team,’ we’ve got pieces that are talented and attractive and they can be part of a winning club, but obviously we haven’t gone out there and performed. It’s not a well-rounded club right now and so we’ve got to find players to come in here and help get us in the right direction.”
Manager Pedro Grifol echoed Getz’s sentiments throughout a video convention name Tuesday.
“When we talk about team, it’s not about one guy or two or five, it’s about 26 guys really loving to play with each other when that bell rings, and we didn’t have that,” Grifol mentioned. “It’s our responsibility, and my responsibility, once we put the roster together, to make sure that chemistry is where it needs to be every time we step on the field.”
Getz reiterated a degree he made at his introductory information convention because the crew’s new GM on Aug. 31, saying there weren’t any untouchables.
“If we feel like we can multiply or strengthen our group both presently and in the future, then we’re going to look at that,” Getz mentioned.
There’s loads of constructing to do. The Sox have questions at second base, shortstop, proper area, catching and on the mound with their rotation and bullpen.
“We’re looking for players that understand what it takes to be on a winning ballclub,” Getz mentioned. “That starts with their approach on a day-to-day basis, being in the right place at the right time, on the field and more or less being baseball players going out there and working together, competing.”
Here are three Sox takeaways from the GM conferences.
1. Defense is a prime precedence.
The Sox have been tied for tenth within the American League with 95 errors and tied for eleventh within the league with a .983 fielding proportion.
This offseason, Getz mentioned, the crew is “set out to really improve our defensive play, which will allow our pitchers to attack the zone and be more efficient.”
The Sox are aiming for regular defenders who’ve a knack for “making plays you are supposed to make,” Getz mentioned.
“We made too many (defensive) mistakes through the years,” Getz mentioned. “When sure performs aren’t being made, it’s a traumatic feeling for a crew, it’s a traumatic feeling for pitchers.
“I really want to just settle back down so pitchers are comfortable attacking the zone and outs are made where they are supposed to be made.”
2. The Sox had a ‘heavy’ dialog when deciding to say no Liam Hendriks’ membership choice.
The Sox determined to say no shortstop Tim Anderson’s membership choice for 2024 on Saturday. The day earlier than, they took the identical route with nearer Liam Hendriks.
The reliever’s deal included a $15 million buyout that may be paid in 10 equal installments from 2024-33.
Hendriks appeared in 5 video games in 2023 after an inspirational return from battling non-Hodgkin lymphoma. He had season-ending Tommy John surgical procedure in August, with 12 to 14 months because the preliminary timeline for coming again.
“That conversation was a heavy one, because of what he’s meant to this game, not only the White Sox,” Getz mentioned. “But you discuss an open e book, Liam may be very a lot an open e book and really simple to speak to, and he understood the place we have been coming from.
“And just like (Anderson), if there’s a situation that makes sense for both of us, we’d certainly welcome Liam back, as well.”
3. There have been loads of nuggets to fill a pocket book.
- Yoán Moncada has performed 203 profession video games at second base.
Could the third baseman may see time at that place once more?
“I think he is capable of playing different positions,” Getz mentioned. “I think he’s a better third baseman than second baseman. That doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be perhaps games he goes over to second or plays first base and perhaps even the outfield. We’ll do what’s best for our club.”
While Moncada has by no means performed first, Getz mentioned, “He’s a very good athlete. And if that means we need to have Yoán be more versatile to help our lineup on a nightly basis, you do that.”
- The Sox mentioned former supervisor Tony La Russa is in a senior adviser function with the membership.
“That type of experience is invaluable, not only in the team-building aspect with so many little pieces that go into a major league club, there is going to be mentoring with some of our minor-league coaches and our players as well,” Getz mentioned. “He’s an asset, I’m going to take advantage of him.”
- Look for the Sox to shift their worldwide signing strategy.
“We’re going to certainly attack things a little more strongly on the pitching front,” Getz mentioned. “There are different ways to allocate international bonus money. We had a meeting last week with (special assistant to the general manager, international operations) Marco (Paddy) and everyone else in our front office and we’re putting together a strategy for the White Sox moving forward. But you can expect a different approach.”
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Source: www.bostonherald.com